Acupuncture

Moxibustion Therapy

Moxibustion has a history of approximately 3,000 years and some medical historians believe that moxibustion may even pre-date acupuncture. Moxibustion developed as a medical practice completely separate from acupuncture and is now very much a part of current acupuncture practice.

It is a healing therapy utilizing the mugwort herb (moxa), called Artimesia Vulgaris. Moxa is used to provide local heat over acupuncture points. It is made from the dried leaves of Artemisia vulgaris and the Chinese believe that the older the moxa, the better its therapeutic properties.

Moxa is used to treat specific types of disease and is applied to the same acupuncture points as acupuncture needles. Some of the acupuncture points, such as those around the eye, are forbidden to moxa.

It is clinically effective for common conditions such as: Acute and Chronic Pain (Frozen Shoulder, Back pain, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome), digestive upset (Diarrhea, IBS), Women's Disorders, and Sexual Dysfunction (Impotence, Decreased Libido etc.)
Scientific research has shown that mugwort acts as an emmenagogue, meaning that it stimulates blood-flow in the pelvic area and uterus. Moxibustion and can be used to turn breech babies.

Moxa can be used in a variety of ways. There are many different techniques used in the application of moxibustion and each technique has a specific role to play in the overall treatment of a condition.

Loose moxa is made into a cone and burnt on the skin, and is removed when the cone is half burnt, to avoid blistering. It may also be burnt on ginger so that the skin is isolated from extreme heat, or a moxa stick may be used and burnt a centimeter or two away from the skin. Small cylinders of moxa can also be placed on the end of the acupuncture needles so that the warmth penetrates deeply into the point without burning the skin.

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