When treating pathological hiccups, the aim is to help the patient’s ‘I’-organization and soul body to get a “firm footing” again, as well as expand the patient’s experience of time and space away from being trapped in the constricting gesture of involuntary diaphragmatic contractions.

Therapeutic recommendations

• The “Floor O” exercise
  This is an exercise performed by two people together, helping to overcome the inhibitions associated with moving one’s body. The original instructions can be found in the book “Eurythmy therapy” by Rudolf Steiner (1, p. 72, or p. 63 English edition). The exercise includes an element of acceleration and deceleration.
  
  
• For bedridden patients: “I” and “S”
  If the “Floor O” exercise is not possible because the patient is bedridden, sounds such as “I” and a ‘commanding’ “S” in the periphery, possibly done only with individual fingers or toes, are very helpful.
  
  
• “M” and “L”
  In addition, “M” with the feet in a countermovement can be brought together with a quiet “L” from the periphery.
  
  
• For exhaustion due to hiccups: “L – M – S – U”
  If the hiccups have already led to exhaustion, the feet can be moved passively in “L – M – S – U” . If the patient can only sit, the “S” can also be drawn with the feet on the floor.
  
  
• With the exercise “Sympathy – Antipathy”
  the ‘I’-organization can succeed in recovering control of the soul body and release the cramp in the thorax and diaphragm.