Moxibustion meaning: Moxibustion definition is the burning of moxibustion sticks made of moxa on or near moxibustion points / acupuncture point near person's skin as a counterirritant as form of eastern medical therapy or moxa chinese medicine.
The indications for moxibustion treatment include a wide range of weakness (Xu) diseases, mostly of a chronic character, such as bronchitis, asthma or diarrhoea (Table 9.1). Moxibustion is especially effective in weakness after convalescence and in depression.
Indications for moxibustion Chronic bronchitis, Bronchial asthma Chronic diarrhoea, Depression, Bowel disease, Hypotension, Exhaustion, Feeling of coldness in the body and Chronic disease. Moxibustion pregnancy moxibustion breech is an important moxibustion at home procedure than can be useful.
Contraindications for moxibustion: Moxa therapy in Fever, Acute infections, Hypertension, Acute and chronic haemorrhage, During menstruation, Nervousness and overexcitement, Sleep disturbances
"Yajuan Wang OMD, LAc, in Micro-Acupuncture in Practice Moxibustion Technique Moxibustion therapy is a treatment method that treats and prevents disease by applying the stimulation of warmth and heat to the acupuncture points and certain locations of the body. The material for moxibustion sticks moxibustion is called “Ai Ye,” or “moxa wool.” Or “moxa herb” It is in the form of a cone or stick or moxibustion moxa rolls or made of the dried leaves of the plant. Those who cannot tolerate smoke, use smokeless moxa."
The functions of moxibustion are to warm the meridians and expel cold, induce the smooth flow of Qi and blood, strengthen Yang from collapsing, reduce abscesses, dissipate nodules, prevent disease, and maintain health and well-being.
Moxa Cones There are several different sizes of moxibustion cones, including large, medium, small, and “rice bean” form.
Direct moxibustion is performed by putting the moxa cone directly on the selected acupuncture point and igniting it.
A moxa cone is placed on a point and ignited. When half or two thirds of it is burnt, remove the cone and replace it with another one. No blister should be formed, and there should be no festering or scar formation. Moxa also can be used, which has a sticky adhesive paper underneath the moxa cone. The adhesive paper can be removed and the moxa can be placed directly on the skin. An advantage of this form of moxa is that there are no limitations on the patient's body positions.
Before moxibustion, onion or garlic juice is applied to the selected site to (1) increase the adhesion of the moxa cone to the skin and (2) increase the amount of stimulation provided by the moxa cone during the procedure. A moxa cone is then placed on the desired site, ignited, and allowed to completely burn out. This is repeated 5 to 10 times, often leading to a local burn, blister, festering, and eventual scar formation when the area is completely healed from the procedure. This method is often used to treat certain chronic diseases such as asthma, abdominal pain, irregular menstruation, Bi syndrome, impotence, and tumors.
Indirect moxibustion is performed when an ignited moxa cone is placed on an insulated material and not directly in contact with skin. Moxibustion with ginger: A piece of ginger is sliced to about 0.5 cm thickness and several holes are punched through. The slice of ginger is applied to the desired area and the moxa cone is ignited on top of it. As soon as the patient feels the scorching sensation, the cone is removed and a new one is ignited in its place. This method of moxibustion is often used to treat symptoms of spleen and stomach deficiency such as diarrhoea, abdominal pain, painful joints, and so on. Moxibustion with ginger is also used to treat symptoms resulting from a Yang deficiency
A perforated slice of garlic about 0.5 cm thick is applied to the desired area and a moxa cone is ignited on the slice of garlic. As in moxibustion with ginger, as soon as the patient feels the scorching sensation, the cone is removed and replaced with a new one. This method of moxibustion is often used to treat scrofula, tuberculosis, abdominal masses, early-stage skin cancer ulcerations and boils, and poisonous insect bites.
The navel is filled with salt to the level of the skin. A large moxa cone is placed on the salt and ignited. In the event that the patient has an “outie” (the navel is convex, or even simply not concave), a wet noodle can be placed around the navel and used as a retainer for the salt.
The navel is filled with salt to the level of the skin. A large moxa cone is placed on the salt and ignited. In the event that the patient has an “outie” (the navel is convex, or even simply not concave), a wet noodle can be placed around the navel and used as a retainer for the salt.
This method of moxibustion is known to be effective in treating abdominal pain, vomiting and diarrhoea, pain around the umbilicus, pain caused by a hernia, and prolonged dysentery. It is also effective in restoring Yang from a state of collapse, where symptoms of excessive sweating, cold limbs, and undetectable pulse may manifest.
This technique uses the herb Fu Zi as an insulator. A piece of Fu Zi is sliced to about 0.5 cm thick and several holes are punched through, or the practitioner can cut the herb into small pieces and mix them with flour and wine to form a small cake about 0.2 to 0.5 cm in thickness. Then use the moxa cone on the top of the cake. The property of Fu Zi is very acrid and warm. It has the function to warm the kidneys and Ming Men. Use this method to treat any Yang deficiency conditions.
This technique uses white pepper as an insulation material. Mix the white pepper with flour to form a small cake about 0.3 to 0.5 cm thick. Make a slight depression in the center to put in herbs such as Ding Xiang (Caryophylli) or Rou Gui (Cinnamomi Cassiae). Then put the moxa cone on the top. This technique is used to treat Bi syndrome with pain and local numbness.
A coin-sized cake of monkshood powder mixed with alcohol is perforated and placed on the site selected for moxibustion. The moxa cone is placed on the cake and ignited. Because monkshood is warm in nature, it can warm the Yang and expel cold. This method of moxibustion is only suitable for treating deficient and persistent Yin-cold syndromes such as impotence and ejaculation praecox caused by a declining Ming Men fire.
Moxa Rolls There are two kinds of moxa rolls: traditional and smokeless. A lighted moxa stick is applied over the selected point. The level of heat and the duration of the therapeutic application are rather easy to control with this method, so it is commonly used in today's clinics.
An ignited moxa stick is applied over the desired point until mild warmth is achieved at that point and in the surrounding area. This is done for 5 to 10 minutes, or until the area itself becomes red.
When this method of moxibustion is performed, the ignited moxa stick is rapidly pecked over the desired point with care being taken to avoid burning the skin. The moxa stick may also be evenly moved with a left to right motion.
The ignited moxa stick is applied over the desired point with rotating circles or it follows the meridian pathway until a mild warming sensation is achieved and the patient feels very relaxed. This is a commonly used technique in the micro-acupuncture system.
The herbs are mixed together and ground into a very fine powder. The desired amount of powder is then placed on a piece of paper and processed until it is formed into the Great Monad Herbal Moxa Stick.
The area for moxibustion must be examined and marked. One stick is then ignited and quickly placed into a piece of dry cloth that has been folded into seven layers. This is then directed to the marked area of skin with the intent of having the heat penetrate into the deeper muscle layers.
It is best to prepare two Great Monad Herbal Moxa Sticks at a time to facilitate a thorough treatment of the desired area.
This method of moxibustion warms the meridians, promotes the free flow of Qi and blood, and dispels cold and dampness, making it effective in treating prolonged diseases such as abdominal pain, dysmenorrhea, hernia, and painful joints due to a wind-cold-damp condition.
The thunder moxa stick is very similar to Taiyi miraculous in terms of the preparation and its performance; however, it uses different herbs.
The herbal moxa uses mainly Ai Ye (Folium Artemisiae) with other ingredients as desired to make a moxa roll. The practitioner can use sparrow pecking and rotation techniques to induce mild warming.
After the acupuncture needle is properly inserted into the acupuncture point and De Qi is achieved, the needle handle is then wrapped with a unit of moxa wool. The moxa wool is ignited, causing a mild heat sensation around the point as the wool burns. This method of moxibustion serves to warm the meridians and promote the free flow of Qi and blood, thus effectively treating conditions such as painful joints as the result of cold-damp, or numbness with cold sensations and paralysis.
The contraindications for moxibustion are heat syndrome of the excess type or fever due to Yin deficiency, and the abdominal and lumbosacral regions of pregnant women. Scarring moxibustionshould not be applied to the face, near the sensory organs, or to any area near large blood vessels.
If small blisters appear, take care not to break them. They will be absorbed and heal by themselves. However, if large blisters appear, puncture and drain them with a sterilized needle. Then wrap the area with gauze. For conditions in which pus appears, the patient needs to rest in order to strengthen the body's resistance. Keep the site clean. The blisters should be dressed to prevent further infection.
For the micro-acupuncture system, the moxibustion technique is a great way to stimulate the needled area and apply passive activity to a diseased area. By using the moxibustion technique, the needle reaction can more easily reach the diseased area. Some of the moxibustion techniques are not useful in the micro-system because of their requirements, such as Taiyi miraculous, thunder fire moxa stick, and medicinal vesiculation. However, moxibustion is useful on local diseased areas while stimulating or retaining needles on the micro-system points.
Lee et al. found that nausea intensity was less in breast cancer patients receiving adjuvant chemotherapy or radiation therapy who engaged in moderate exercise as opposed to no exercise.
Moxibustion may be used in cases of chronic, rheumatic, or cold diseases. Several techniques may be used clinically. This therapy has the functions to expel cold, relieve pain, and warm the meridians. It is used for deficient, cold, and painful conditions.
Incense stick used as moxa. Light the incense stick and apply it close to the surface of the Ear point, usually using two to three points per treatment, for 10 to 15 minutes at a time. Treatments may be applied every other day. The patient may feel warmth, or a hot or burning sensation, but not pain.
Moxa stick. Hold the moxa stick at a distance to stimulate the point but not burn the ear, so that the patient feels a warm to hot sensation. This therapy is useful for Wei syndromes, rheumatoid arthritis, and chronic back pain.
“Moxibustion is considered a safe and effective traditional therapy, and large numbers of clinical reports have indicated that it is effective and associated with few adverse events.”
Dr. Pardeshi Acupuncture Above Kimat Lok Medicals, Sona Shopping Center, Ganjmal, Tilak Road, Nashik-422001, Maharashtra Time 9:30am to 1:30pm
Book Appointment
Dr. Pardeshi Acupuncture Asawari Chambers, Infront of Woodland, College Road, Nashik-422005, Maharashtra Time 6:00pm to 8:00pm
Book Appointment© Pardeshi Acupaintherapy. All Rights Reserved. Design By Chittaranjan Infotech