Services - Moxabustion Treatment
Moxibustion is a practice of traditional Chinese medicine that stimulates acupoints in order to promote the body's ability to heal itself. Practitioners claim the radiant heat produced by the burning herbs penetrates deeply into the body, where it is supposed to restore the balance and flow of vital energy or life force called qi or ch'i. Moxibustion is promoted for improving general health and treating cancer and chronic conditions such as arthritis, digestive disorders, and ulcers. It is also supposed to increase circulation to the pelvis and bring on menstruation.
Moxabustion
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Moxibustion is a part of acupuncture treatment that aims to bring heat directly into the body by burning a dried herb called mugwort directly over an acupuncture point or on top of an acupuncture needle. It is used to treat conditions where the patient tends to be cold or weak or where there is poor blood flow and combined with acupuncture the effects are profound. |
What Does Moxabustion Involve ?
Moxibustion involves the burning of moxa, which is a bunch of dried leaves from mugwort or wormwood plants that have been formed into a small cone or cigar-like shape (Mugwort and Wormwood). The 2 main types of moxibustion are direct and indirect. In its earliest uses, direct moxibustion was most often burned on the acupuncture point, with the moxa cone placed directly on the skin. However, this often produced pain and scarring. Some Chinese traditions still deliberately induce scarring, but that technique is not often used in the United States. Indirect moxibustion, the method most commonly used in the |
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United States, involves either burning the moxa above the skin, or on top of an acupuncture needle that has been left in place. Other practitioners may place a layer of ginger, garlic, or salt on the person's skin, with the burning moxa on top of it. For people who have asthma or other breathing problems, smokeless moxa can be used. There are other kinds of moxibustion. One type is burnt match moxibustion, in which the practitioner rapidly taps one or two acupoints on the ear with the head of a burnt match. Another type is thread incense moxibustion, in which the practitioner burns thin strips of moxa. Warm needle moxibustion involves the use of acupuncture needles that have been heated with a match or lighter. |
What Conditions Is Good Or Not Good For Moxibustion?
Moxibustion therapy in conjunction with acupuncture can be very effective for many diseases and conditions including back pain, muscle stiffness, headaches, migraines, tendonitis, arthritis, digestive disorders, anxiety, and female health problems such as menstrual cramps, irregular periods, and infertility. Moxibustion can be applied in many different ways and the expected physiological reactions from moxibustion can greatly |
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vary depending on the type and technique used. By carefully considering the type of moxibustion, and where and how to apply it, moxibustion can be used safely and effectively for almost all patients.
However, it should be noted that moxa, especially direct moxa, is generally not recommended for patients with diabetes, decreased sensitivity to pain, who are on certain medications such as prednisone, or who have any other conditions involving compromised circulation or a weakened immune system.
