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Moxibustion Therapy

Appropriate TCM technical services · Provided within the approved scope of TCM department

What is Moxibustion Therapy?

Moxibustion using moxa sticks or cones made of mugwort at specific acupoints stimulates meridians and acupoints with the warmth and drug effects produced by the burning mugwort, achieving the effects of warming meridians and dispelling cold, reinforcing Yang and consolidating the exterior, and preventing disease and maintaining health. Moxibustion is one of the most characteristic warm therapy methods in traditional TCM external treatment.

Applicable Population and Common Symptoms

  • Cold constitution: Cold hands and feet, aversion to cold, cold sensation in the abdomen and lower backn- Yang deficiency constitution: Lack of vitality, easy fatigue, loose stools, frequent night urinationn- Spleen and stomach deficiency-cold: Cold epigastric pain, loss of appetite, discomfort after eating cold foodn- Female uterine cold: Menstrual pain, scanty, dark menstrual blood, cold sensation in the lower abdomenn- Joint cold pain: Joint pain worsened by cold, morning stiffnessn- Low immunity: Susceptible to colds, allergic rhinitis, chronic fatiguen- Postpartum adjustment: Postpartum weakness, unclean lochia, insufficient breast milk

Mechanism of Action

The warming and heating effect of moxibustion penetrates deeply into the internal organs through meridians, able to warm and unblock the twelve meridians. Modern research shows that moxibustion can improve local microcirculation, regulate immune function, affect autonomic nervous system balance, and has multiple effects such as anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and immune regulation. The near-infrared radiation produced by the combustion of moxa can penetrate to a depth of more than 10mm.

Common Moxibustion Techniques

Suspension Moxibustion: Moxa sticks are placed 3-5cm away from the acupoints for moxibustion, with the specific time determined by a licensed TCM practitioner based on individual circumstances.

Precautions

Operated or guided by a licensed TCM practitioner within the scope of TCM department

The content above is for reference only, the specific treatment plan needs to be formulated after the TCM practitioner makes a diagnosis

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Common Questions

Compiled based on real medical consultation scenarios, please take the face-to-face diagnosis of a practicing Chinese medicine physician as the standard.

Will moxibustion fill my home with smoke? What if my clothes smell after moxibustion at the clinic?

Modern moxibustion has various forms that can significantly reduce smoke: ① Smokeless moxa sticks (carbonized, with very little smoke produced); ② Warmer moxibustion (moxa cotton burns in a sealed warmer box, with good smoke filtration). If there is a smell of mugwort after moxibustion, this is a normal phenomenon where volatile oil from the mugwort leaf adheres to clothing, which usually dissipates after a few hours of ventilation and drying. Many people find this faint herbal fragrance very comfortable.

I often have stomach cold and diarrhea when eating cold food. Is moxibustion effective? Which part should I moxibustion?

This is a typical manifestation of spleen and stomach deficiency cold, which is exactly the area where moxibustion excels. The physician usually selects acupoints such as zhongwan (stomach), shenque (navel), and zusanli (shin) for moxibustion—the zhongwan and shenque are located on the midline of the abdomen, directly warming the spleen and stomach; zusanli is a 'vital point', which can strengthen the spleen and harmonize the stomach. Moxibustion through the warmth and stimulation of these acupoints, warms the middle and disperses cold, and restores the digestive function of the spleen and stomach. At the same time, it is recommended to eat less cold food in daily life and drink warm water in the morning, which has a synergistic effect on improving spleen and stomach deficiency cold.

Which is better, moxibustion or acupuncture? Can they be done together?

Both are not in a competitive relationship but are complementary: acupuncture is biased towards 'openness' (unblocking meridians, harmonizing Qi and blood), while moxibustion is biased towards 'warmth' (warming meridians, dispersing cold, and reinforcing Yang). People with cold and damp constitution, and those with deficiency cold syndrome, are more suitable for moxibustion; those with painful and spastic discomfort are more suitable for acupuncture; in many cases, both are used simultaneously for better results (acupuncture combined with moxibustion, known as 'warm acupuncture', is a classic method of using two in one).

My wife is pregnant. Can moxibustion be used to preserve the pregnancy or adjust the fetal position?

Moxibustion at the Jiyin point (outer side of the little toe) to turn the fetal position is a traditional method in Chinese obstetrics with a good application history. However, moxibustion during pregnancy must be performed by a licensed Chinese medicine practitioner after detailed assessment—different gestational periods and different constitutions have different tolerances and reactions to moxibustion, and certain acupoints such as the lumbar and abdominal areas should be avoided during pregnancy. Do not perform moxibustion on your own or go to places without medical qualifications. If you are indeed in a breech or transverse position, it is recommended to cooperate with a Chinese medicine assessment under the guidance of an obstetrician.

Can moxibustion be done every day? Will it cause heat stroke?

Not everyone is suitable for daily moxibustion, which varies depending on the person, constitution, and acupoint selection: people with deficiency cold constitution usually feel comfortable and warm after moxibustion and can be treated more frequently; those with real heat constitution or yin deficiency with fire hyperactivity may experience symptoms such as dry mouth and sore throat, known as 'heat stroke' after moxibustion—this is when the amount of moxibustion should be reduced or paused. This is why it is necessary for a licensed Chinese medicine practitioner to first differentiate the syndrome before moxibustion—what acupoints to choose, how long to moxibustion, and how often to moxibustion, all of which need to be based on your constitution. Self-moxibustion not only has no effect but may also cause discomfort.

The above Q&A is compiled based on common medical consultation scenarios.