Abdominal thrusts, also known as the Heimlich maneuver or Heimlich manoeuvre, is a first aid procedure used to treat upper airway obstructions by foreign objects. American doctor Henry Heimlich is often credited for its discovery.

What does Heimlich maneuver mean in medical terms?

Medical Definition of Heimlich maneuver

: the manual application of sudden upward pressure on the upper abdomen of a choking victim to force a foreign object from the trachea.

What does the Heimlich maneuver do?

The Heimlich maneuver uses abdominal thrusts to force objects out of the throat. Underneath the lungs is a muscle called the diaphragm. This muscle contracts to move the lungs, helping them exhale air. In 1972, a doctor from Cincinnati read a story about choking.