Moxibustion
Moxibustion is a heat therapy used in Traditional Chinese Medicine in which dried mugwort is formed into sticks or cones called “moxa” and burned on or close to the skin’s surface. This technique has been used for more than 2,500 years, and is often used alongside Acupuncture to warm and invigorate the flow of Qi, dispel pathogenic influences and prevent or cure diseases.
MOXIBUSTION IS COMMONLY USED TO RELIEVE THE FOLLOWING:
Joint pain
Indigestion and other gastrointestinal issues
Organ prolapse
Menstrual cramps
Infertility
Pain due to injury or arthritis
Gynecological and obstetrical conditions (including turning breech babies into head down positions in Western medicine)
Protection against cold, flu and viral infections
HOW MOXIBUSTION WORKS
Moxibustion is commonly used alongside regular acupuncture treatments to trigger the body’s natural healing response. While there are several methods of moxibustion, the most common are direct scarring, direct non–scarring and indirect moxibustion.
For direct scarring moxibustion, moxa cones are placed onto the skin on specific acupuncture points and ignited; the moxa will be left to burn on the acupuncture point until it completely goes out. For direct non-scarring moxibustion, the moxa is extinguished or removed before it burns the skin.
Indirect moxibustion can be performed in different ways: A practitioner may light one end of a moxa stick, holding it close to the treatment area for several minutes until the skin turns red. Another method incorporates the use of acupuncture needles and moxa. Inserting a needle into an acupoint, the practitioner then wraps the tip in moxa and ignites it, creating heat within the point and surrounding area. Once the patient experiences a sense of relief, the moxa is extinguished and the needle is removed.
Patients receiving moxibustion will feel a pleasant heating sensation but should not experience any pain, blistering or (actual) scarring.
While there are many reasons patients may integrate moxibustion into their regular acupuncture treatments, it has become widely recognized in its ability to generate heat that increases the flow of energy throughout the body. TCM considers this stimulation of energy essential to help your body achieve optimal health and wellness.
Ready to heat things up? Contact me now to learn more about the many ways that moxibustion can benefit you in these chilly months ahead.
