Moxa

What is moxa (moxibustion)?

Moxibustion is a Traditional Chinese Medicine technique that involves the burning of mugwort, a small, spongy herb, to facilitate healing. Mugwort, also known as artemesia vulgaris or ai ye in Chinese, has a long history of use in folk medicine. Research has shown that it acts as an emmenagogue. By burning the mugwort herb at certain areas of the body, indirectly or directly, it can strengthen the blood, stimulate the flow of Qi, expel cold, warm the meridians, strengthen the immune system, and is especially useful for weak patients. Moxibustion is an essential component of Chinese medicine. In fact, the Chinese word “Zhen Jiu” which is now translated into acupuncture, literally means “needles-moxibustion”, the combination of acupuncture and moxibustion.

 

Procedures of moxibustion:

There are a variety of methods for the practice of moxibustion depending on the style of treatment and the condition of the patient. Indirect moxa is practiced in our clinic. In this procedure, an acupuncturist lights one end of a moxa stick (resembles a big cigar) and holds the stick close to the selected areas or acupuncture points for 10 to 15 minutes. The ignited stick is held above the point or area being treated and does not come into contact with the skin. During treatment, the patient will experience a warm sensation in the treatment area and will feel very comfortable and relaxed.

Another form of indirect moxa we use is a combination of needles and moxa. Needles are inserted into the acupuncture points and remain in place for 20 minutes just like a regular acupuncture treatment. Meanwhile, a moxa corn or loose moxa material is wrapped on the tip of the needle handles and ignited. The patient will feel some warmth around the needling area. The moxa is extinguished and the needles removed after the desired effect is achieved.

There is no pain, discomfort or other side effects in both forms of moxibustion.

 

Moxibustion is useful for the following conditions:

1.        Breech babies – a landmark study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) in 1998 found that up to 75% of women with breech between 33 to 35 weeks gestation had fetuses rotated to the normal position after moxibustion treatment.

2.        Pain – especially for arthritis or other painful joint conditions that worsen with cold or damp; sprains and strains; joint stiffness, swelling and inflammation

3.        Menstrual cramps and pelvic inflammation

4.        Boosts immune system to treat and prevent colds

5.        Chronic autoimmune diseases

6.        Digestive system disorders such as IBS, diarrhea, indigestion, bloating, abdominal pain

7.        Fatigue

8.        Maintain general health. Moxibustion is famous for promoting longevity in China

 

Moxibustion is not for everyone and should not be used on anyone diagnosed with too much heat (Chinese Medicine diagnosis). Burning moxa also produces a small amount of smoke and a light odor.