Moxabustion
is a type of traditional Chinese treatment used in conjunction
with acupuncture and acupressure. It is a process whereby moxa
(a dried herb, usually mugwort) is burned either directly
on the skin or indirectly just above the skin over acupuncture
points.
The purpose of moxabustion, as with most forms of Traditional
Chinese Medicine, is to stimulate and strengthen the flow of blood
and Qi (vital energy), in order to maintain and improve general
health.
There
are two main moxabustion techniques used.
- Direct
moxabustion:
The moxa is formed into a small cone-shape which is placed
on top of an acupuncture point and burned on the skin. If
the moxa is allowed to burn right down to the skin some scarring
may occur. Direct moxabustion is a traditional technique still
used in China and is considered to be very therapeutic.In
the Western world it is not used frequently and the moxa will
not actually be allowed to burn down to the skin.
- Indirect
moxabustion:
This is now accepted as the most popular form of moxabustion
in many countries including China. Generally the treatment
will involve the practitioner lighting one end of a moxa stick
( dried moxa herbs rolled into a stick shape which is roughly
the size of a small cigar) which he/she holds an inch or two
away from the skin, near the appropriate acupuncture points.
Alternatively the moxa sticks can be cut into small lengths
of approximately 1 – 3 cms., these are attached to specially
designed acupuncture needles and lit before being inserted
into the acupuncture points. The heat produced by the burning
moxa not only warms the skin but it is drawn through the needle
into the channel associated with this acupuncture point.Some
acupuncturists use a method where they burn the moxa on another
medium that has been layed directly on the skin, this is often
salt or sometimes a thin slice of garlic or ginger is used;
this allows the heat to penetrate the body but avoids any
burning.
Moxabustion
therapy is generally used in conjunction with acupressure and
acupuncture. It has been clinically effective for the treatment
of more common conditions such as acute and chronic pain (frozen
shoulder, back pain, muscle stiffness, tendonitis, arthritis and
carpal tunnel syndrome). Moxabustion has also been used to treat
menstrual discomfort and pain, and turn breech babies.
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Moxa
Moxa is usually produced from mugwort (Artemesia vulgaria). After
harvesting the leaves of the plant are dried then crushed and
sifted, it is then graded and the finer, higher grade will be
used for direct application and the less refined grade left is
generally used for indirect application.When the moxa burns it
produces a fairly penetrating heat which the acupuncturist will
apply to the appropriate body area to enter the channels and influence
the flow of Qi and the blood supply. Moxa is available in a loose
powder form which is used to make moxa cones or for wrapping around
specially designed acupuncture needles.Alternatively the moxa
can be rolled into a cigar shaped form usually 12-15cms. long.
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