The Six-In Six-Out Breathing Method For Relieving Abdominal Distension In Advanced Cancer Patients
The six-in-six-out breathing method is a set of qigong I worked out on my own for regulating the spleen and stomach. The practice is extremely simple: one inhalation-exhalation cycle is divided into twelve parts—six breaths out and six breaths in. When exhaling, breathe slowly, a small mouthful at a time, dividing one exhalation into six. When inhaling, breathe slowly, a small mouthful at a time, dividing one inhalation into six. If the patient is very weak and such deep breathing is too much, start with three-out three-in, then gradually four-out four-in, five-out five-in, and six-out six-in. During breathing, place the tongue against the palate. One session can last 10–30 minutes, depending on the patient's condition. Those with large lung capacity can even develop the practice to eight-out eight-in or ten-out ten-in; I myself now practice eight-out eight-in daily.
This practice requires breathing through the nose, with the tongue against the palate and the mouth closed or slightly open. The breathing should be slow and even, making no sound at all. This method can strengthen the speed of gastrointestinal peristalsis, promote digestion and gastric emptying, and regulate the spleen and stomach very effectively—no less than using medication. Late-stage cancer patients are weak, and vigorous exercise is already impossible; the six-in six-out method requires no particular posture, so the patient can practice whether standing, lying or sitting. If persisted with, it can not only improve abdominal distension but also ease symptoms of ascites and pleural effusion.
In addition, massaging the abdomen using the shaking method of TCM orthopedics also helps reduce abdominal distension, ascites and pleural effusion. The method is: place the palm gently on the patient's abdomen and shake the elbow of the person massaging (it can be the patient himself), so that the patient's entire abdomen sways along; the force should be comfortable to the patient. It can help the patient pass stool smoothly.