What is moxibustion?
Moxibustion is a form of heat therapy used by acupuncturists, in which dried plant materials called “moxa” are burned on or very near the surface of the skin. The intention is to warm and invigorate the flow of Qi in the body.
This involves burning moxa, a cone or stick made of ground mugwort leaves, on or near your body’s meridians and acupuncture points.
The heat helps stimulate these points and improves the flow of Qi (energy) in your body, mind and spirit. This increased qi circulation can help with a range of health issues.
Moxa is made from the dried leafy material of Chinese mugwort (Artemesia argyi or A.vlugaris).
What can I expect to feel?
It is not uncommon for patients recieving moxibustion to report to feel a flooding of warmth that can radiate along the meridian. This is a good result, as it idicates the arrival of thje Qi and signals the flow of Qi to free the blockage .
How does moxibustion work?
There are two types of moxibustion: direct and indirect. In direct moxibustion, a small, cone-shaped amount of moxa is placed on top of an acupuncture point and burned, the moxa is placed on the point and lit, but is extinguished or removed before it burns the skin. The patient will experience a pleasant heating sensation that penetrates deep into the skin, but should not experience any pain, blistering or scarring. Indirect is when a Moxa stick is hovered over the point with no cotact warming the Qi.
Moxibustion can help with –
- Migraine and headaches
- Pain due to injury or arthritis, especially in “cold” patterns where the pain naturally feels better with the application of heat
- Gastrointestinal issues,such as diarrhoea, colitis, irritable bowel syndrome, ulcerative colitis and constipation
- Breech presentation in late term pregnancy
- Infertility
- Menopause
- Menstrual cramps
- Cancer-related nausea
- Urinary incontinence
- Asthma
- Eczema
- Fatigue
- Cancer drug side effects
- Stroke rehabilitation
- High blood pressure
- Protection against cold and flu strains
Acupuncture, Acupressure and Moxibustion can be used in the same treatment when appropriate to the diagnosis and treatment strategy. When used together there is increase each other’s effectiveness, though if you have an issue with needles, moxa can be a standalone treatment or used with acupressure.
It is advisable not to have Moxibustion if you have high blood presure.
For more information and Treatment contact Hannah on;- https://www.southwellacupuncture.co.uk/contact/