Moxibustion Alternative Therapy – Types & Applications

If you have ever researched Chinese medicine, then you surely would have come across a therapy called moxibustion. Although not as popular as acupuncture or other Chinese herbal treatments, moxibustion therapy is extremely soothing and provides ample number of health benefits.

If you suffer from certain stubborn health problems, then it might be a wise step to consider moxibustion therapy. Many health experts believe that for some diseases that cannot be treated by acupuncture, moxibustion might be the best solution.^[1]

Read on to know more about the moxibustion treatment technique and its indications. Having enough knowledge about this alternative therapy can help you make more informed decisions about your health care.

What Is Moxibustion?

Moxibustion is a technique that is ideally used in traditional Chinese medicine. This technique is usually administered in conjunction with acupuncture. Moxibustion is a form of heat therapy that involves burning herbs (or dried plant materials called 'moxa' - usually made from the dried leafy material of Chinese mugwort), close to or directly on the skin, and applying the resulting heat to specific areas (points) on the body.^[2]

The intention of this technique is to warm and stimulate the flow of Qi (in Chinese culture, Qi is believed to be a vital force forming part of any living entity) in the body and eventually dispel certain pathogenic influences.^[3]

Modern day medicine considers moxa as a natural diuretic and also a moderate stimulant. Moxa is also believed to be an emmenagogue^[4] , which triggers an increase of blood flow to the pelvic area (especially the uterus). It has therefore found use as a treatment for curing menstruation cramps.

This therapy can effectively stimulate sluggish, stagnated and deficient Qi through the application of therapeutic heat. This therapy also works by amplifying the healing properties and effects of acupuncture, thus alleviating chronic stagnation.

Types Of Moxibustion

Healthcare experts might use direct or indirect methods to administer a moxibustion treatment. The modality offered depends on the clinic as well as the patient's preference.^[5]

• Direct moxibustion

This entails extremely close (direct) contact with the skin. The direct form of moxibustion is usually done after a patient begins to relax on the acupuncture table. The practitioner would ignite an incense stick to lighten the moxa (in the form of herbal wool).

On being ignited, the wool smoulders, creating warmth. This warmth is provided on the relevant acupoints (this is likely to vary depending on the patient's condition and other personal attributes) ^[6] . As in the case of direct moxibustion, the burning moxa is directly placed on the skin, it can cause pain and scarring. Hence, direct moxibustion is no longer used very often.

• Indirect moxibustion

There are different ways of performing indirect moxibustion and it mostly depends on what the practitioner's preference is. The following are three different ways of performing indirect moxibustion.

1. The therapist holds the smoking end of a moxa stick (moxa material compressed into a stick or pole) very close to the skin. This is done until the acupoint adequately warms. This ensures that the blood and other vital fluids have been sent along the correct meridians, thus healing the patient's ailments ^[7] . In case the patient is concerned about smoke inhalation, then the practitioner might prefer using slower-burning smokeless moxa sticks.

2. A warmer is used. This is like a buffer between the stick and the skin. The buffer is usually in the form of aconite, salt or slices of garlic or ginger ^[8] . This technique provides deep warmth to the body.

3. Acupuncture needles are wrapped with small balls of moxa. These balls are lighted until they become smoking hot. The heat gets driven down the needle shaft and then into the acupuncture point. This enhances the needling effect ^[9] . Patients report a warm and soothing sensation during and after the acu-moxibustion session.

Applications Of Moxibustion

Chinese healthcare providers highly recommend moxibustion therapy as it can help in increasing the flow of vital energy throughout the body through pathways (meridians). Stimulating Qi is essential to attain overall well-being ^[10] . Chinese medicine believes that physical and mental health problems arise when there is a result in the blockage of Qi.It is believed that moxibustion can treat the following health issues ^[11] :

• Back pain
• Headaches
• Migraines
• Arthritis
• Muscle stiffness
• Digestive problems
• Ulcers
• Menstrual cramps
• Cancer
• Infertility
• Tendonitis
• Hypothyroidism
• Hypoglycemia
• Depression

Research studies have shown one interesting application of moxibustion therapy for pregnant women. It was observed that moxibustion had the potential to turn breech babies ^[12] (those who are upside down at the end of the pregnancy term). Studies reveal that moxibustion, when combined with postural techniques or acupuncture can turn babies over such that they are in a less dangerous position during birth.

Risk Factors

Moxibustion is considered highly unsafe for people with diabetes. Also, the oils from wormwood and mugwort can result in toxic reactions when taken internally^[13] . It is always advisable to consult your doctor before going ahead with a moxibustion therapy. Moreover, pregnant women should strictly use moxibustion therapy only after being allowed to do so by their healthcare provider.

On A Final Note...

There is ample clinical research to support the healing properties of moxibustion therapy. With an increased awareness of its benefits, this therapy is sure to be considered for more studies about its uses, mechanisms and benefits.

Moxibustion therapy is believed to be helpful for people for whom other treatments have failed. Unlike acupuncture (mostly done by a trained practitioner in a clinical atmosphere), moxibustion therapy can be done at home ^[14] . Therapists would usually provide moxa rolls to the patients alongside demonstrating how to use them and treat themselves at home.