Your practitioner will determine when it is appropriate to supplement your Acupuncture treatment with other Eastern therapeutic modalities such as cupping and moxibustion.
Moxibustion
Moxibustion is a form of heat therapy in which dried mugwort (Artemesia argyi or A.vlugaris) called “moxa” is burned on or very near the surface of the skin. The intention is to warm and invigorate the flow of Qi in the body and dispel certain pathogenic influences.
The herb is compressed into a stick or pole (looking not unlike an oversized cigar) or a cone that is lit and allowed to smolder, producing a unique form of very penetrating heat.
When is moxibustion used?
Some of the instances when your treatment might call for Moxibustion (but not exclusively) is for:
- Pain due to injury or arthritis, especially in “cold” patterns where the pain naturally feels better with the application of heat
- Digestive problems and irregular elimination
- Certain gynecological and obstetrical conditions, including breech presentation in late-term pregnancy
- Protection against cold and flu strains
When appropriate to the diagnosis and treatment strategy. your practitioner will often do both acupuncture and moxibustion in the same clinic session as the therapies can enhance each other’s effectiveness when used together. Your practitioner may also instruct you how to use the moxa stick and pole at home to continue your therapy
