Moxibustion

Moxibustion, or Moxa for short, is an ancient form of heat therapy. Moxa uses the ground up leaves of the plant Mugwort (Artemesia vulgaris). These are either rolled into sticks for indirect moxa, or the powdery substance is made into tiny cones and burned on ointment or a ginger slice. That is called direct moxa. In Chinese, the term for acupuncture is "Zhen Jiu." The "Zhen" means "needle," and the "Jiu" means "moxa." Thus, acupuncture and moxibustion have been paired therapies for hundreds of years.

When the needles are in the body, the indirect moxa heats them, and the metal conducts the heat down into the muscles, where it is most needed. However, moxa can be effective by itself, and is an inexpensive form of home therapy for many types of pain, such as sore joints or menstrual cramps.

Burning moxa has a distinct odor, which some people find relaxing. Some people with severe sensitivities to smoke may not be able to tolerate moxa. The essential oils in moxa have a significant effect, as a type of aromatherapy or medicinal incense. All over the world, mugwort has had a good reputation as a plant that keeps evil away. In European folk tradition, mugwort was put into dream pillows to keep bad dreams away. The 'sagebrush' of the west is mostly Artemisia tridentata, closer to mugwort than to sage.

During indirect moxa, the smoldering moxa stick is held a couple inches away from the skin, usually around the inserted needles. The practitioner will monitor the heat level, and work with the patient to provide a therapeutic level of heat while maintaining comfort and safety.

One of the most interesting moxa techniques is for extreme cases of diarrhea. For this, the acupuncturist puts salt in the navel of the supine patient, and puts a cone of direct moxa on top of this. The salt protects the skin and conducts the heat well. This technique is very effective; it seems to regulate the large intestine's resorption of water immediately.

Moxibustion takes skill and caution. It is equivalent to holding a red-hot coal an inch above someone's skin. One needs to exhibit great care when removing the ashes from the end of the stick--if too much force is used while tapping the stick into an ashtray, the "cherry" of the moxa stick may become loose and fall out. Depending on the moxa technique, one may want to let the heat build up as much as the patient can tolerate. When the body's pain threshold is reached, this sends a signal to the body to send more attention to the area being treated: anti-inflammatory compounds, white blood cells, endorphins, etc. I often say that with acupuncture and moxa, we're just trying to encourage the body to prioritize its healing attention on an area it's been ignoring. In some traditions of moxibustion, blistering or scarring was intentionally induced. While that's still used in some areas, it's fortunately uncommon in America. I once treated a Zen Buddhist monk from Japan who had moxa scars all up and down his back. He still complained of back pain, so the scarring moxa wasn't a complete cure.

Gentle moxa is also effective. One of the most famous preventative moxa therapies is to do indirect moxibustion on Zu San Li (Stomach 36), a point on the lower leg. Zu San Li means "Foot Three Miles" and increases endurance, digestive power, and stimulates the immune system.

I use indirect moxa almost daily in the clinic. Most of my patients love it, as the focussed heat feels wonderful on an area which has been tight, in pain, and lacking circulation for some time. I most commonly use moxa on the lower back, sacrum, shoulders, trapezius, and knees.

With some training and much caution, moxa can be an effective home therapy for joint and muscle pain. Improperly handled moxa can lead to burns or pain, so please seek personal instruction before using moxa at home.

Moxa should not be used on diabetics, as they have reduced heat tolerance and skin weakness. Moxa has been shown effective at turning a breech baby using the BL-67 point. Moxa could bring on labor, so extreme care should be taken when using this technique.



			Moxibustion Moxibustion, or Moxa for short, is an ancient form of heat therapy. Moxa uses the ground up leaves of the plant Mugwort (Artemesia vulgaris). These are either rolled into sticks for indirect moxa, or the powdery substance is made into tiny cones and burned on ointment or a ginger slice. That is called direct moxa. In Chinese, the term for acupuncture is "Zhen Jiu." The "Zhen" means "needle," and the "Jiu" means "moxa." Thus, acupuncture and moxibustion have been paired therapies for hundreds of years. When the needles are in the body, the indirect moxa heats them, and the metal conducts the heat down into the muscles, where it is most needed. However, moxa can be effective by itself, and is an inexpensive form of home therapy for many types of pain, such as sore joints or menstrual cramps. Burning moxa has a distinct odor, which some people find relaxing. Some people with severe sensitivities to smoke may not be able to tolerate moxa. The essential oils in moxa have a significant effect, as a type of aromatherapy or medicinal incense. All over the world, mugwort has had a good reputation as a plant that keeps evil away. In European folk tradition, mugwort was put into dream pillows to keep bad dreams away. The 'sagebrush' of the west is mostly Artemisia tridentata, closer to mugwort than to sage. During indirect moxa, the smoldering moxa stick is held a couple inches away from the skin, usually around the inserted needles. The practitioner will monitor the heat level, and work with the patient to provide a therapeutic level of heat while maintaining comfort and safety. One of the most interesting moxa techniques is for extreme cases of diarrhea. For this, the acupuncturist puts salt in the navel of the supine patient, and puts a cone of direct moxa on top of this. The salt protects the skin and conducts the heat well. This technique is very effective; it seems to regulate the large intestine's resorption of water immediately. Moxibustion takes skill and caution. It is equivalent to holding a red-hot coal an inch above someone's skin. One needs to exhibit great care when removing the ashes from the end of the stick--if too much force is used while tapping the stick into an ashtray, the "cherry" of the moxa stick may become loose and fall out. Depending on the moxa technique, one may want to let the heat build up as much as the patient can tolerate. When the body's pain threshold is reached, this sends a signal to the body to send more attention to the area being treated: anti-inflammatory compounds, white blood cells, endorphins, etc. I often say that with acupuncture and moxa, we're just trying to encourage the body to prioritize its healing attention on an area it's been ignoring. In some traditions of moxibustion, blistering or scarring was intentionally induced. While that's still used in some areas, it's fortunately uncommon in America. I once treated a Zen Buddhist monk from Japan who had moxa scars all up and down his back. He still complained of back pain, so the scarring moxa wasn't a complete cure. Gentle moxa is also effective. One of the most famous preventative moxa therapies is to do indirect moxibustion on Zu San Li (Stomach 36), a point on the lower leg. Zu San Li means "Foot Three Miles" and increases endurance, digestive power, and stimulates the immune system. I use indirect moxa almost daily in the clinic. Most of my patients love it, as the focussed heat feels wonderful on an area which has been tight, in pain, and lacking circulation for some time. I most commonly use moxa on the lower back, sacrum, shoulders, trapezius, and knees. With some training and much caution, moxa can be an effective home therapy for joint and muscle pain. Improperly handled moxa can lead to burns or pain, so please seek personal instruction before using moxa at home. Moxa should not be used on diabetics, as they have reduced heat tolerance and skin weakness. Moxa has been shown effective at turning a breech baby using the BL-67 point. Moxa could bring on labor, so extreme care should be taken when using this technique.

			Moxa sticks can be ordered: $10 for a box or assortment of 10. Both traditional and "smokeless" moxa sticks are available. 10 Moxa Sticks < If you plan on doing much moxibustion, a stainless steel moxa extinguisher is a wise investment. Moxa Extinguisher <

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