Moxibustion is a traditional Chinese medicine technique in which mugwort herb is burned to energetically heat the body’s acupuncture points. Moxa sticks are the shape and size of a cigar. The practitioner lights one end of the stick and holds it for several seconds near the skin. The patient will experience a pleasant heating sensation that penetrates into the body. Another method is to wrap small pieces of moxa on the ends of the needles to send heat deep into the acupoints. Moxibustion warms the channels, improves circulation, boosts immunity and tonifies deficiency. It is not recommended for patients suffering from heat conditions. Due to the pungent odor of the herb, smokeless moxa is commonly used.
Moxibustion is effective for:
- Arthritis
- Breech birth
- Coldness
- Digestive disorders
- Diarrhea
- Excessive urination
- Fatigue
- Impotence
- Incontinence
- Infertility
- Irregular menstruation
- Joint pain
- Menstrual cramps
- Obesity
- Ulcers