MOXIBUSTION
Charlotte, NC | Fort Mill SC
Moxibustion FAQs
What is moxibustion?
Moxibustion is a traditional healing therapy in which dried mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris) is burned near or on specific acupuncture points on the body. The heat generated from the burning herb is believed to stimulate circulation, promote healing, and balance the body’s energy (Qi). At Blue Root Health, moxibustion is used to enhance acupuncture treatments by warming the meridian points, improving blood flow, and alleviating pain and inflammation. It is often used for conditions like digestive issues, pain, and stress.
How to use moxibustion?
Moxibustion can be used in different ways depending on the therapeutic goals. There are two main methods:
Direct moxibustion: A small amount of moxa is placed directly on the skin at an acupuncture point, where it is lit to create heat.
Indirect moxibustion: Moxa is placed on a metal or ceramic handle and held above the skin, allowing the heat to penetrate the body without direct contact.
At Blue Root Health, indirect moxibustion is commonly used to avoid skin irritation and to provide a gentle, controlled warming effect. Moxibustion is typically combined with acupuncture for enhanced results.
What is moxibustion used for?
Moxibustion is used to treat a variety of health concerns by promoting energy flow and healing. Some of the conditions that moxibustion can help with include:
Pain management: It is commonly used for joint pain, arthritis, muscle stiffness, and lower back pain.
Digestive issues: Moxibustion is believed to improve digestion and treat conditions like bloating, diarrhea, and constipation.
Stress and anxiety: It helps promote relaxation by calming the nervous system.
Boosting immunity: Moxibustion is said to strengthen the immune system and help prevent illness.
Women’s health: It is sometimes used to regulate menstrual cycles and address issues such as infertility and painful menstruation.
At Blue Root Health, moxibustion is typically combined with acupuncture to optimize the body’s healing capacity and balance energy.
What is moxibustion in acupuncture?
Moxibustion is often used alongside acupuncture in a treatment known as "acupuncture-moxibustion". In this combined approach, acupuncture needles are inserted at specific meridian points, and moxibustion is applied near those points to enhance the treatment's effects. The heat from the moxa is thought to increase the flow of Qi, improve circulation, and relieve pain, making acupuncture even more effective. At Blue Root Health, this method is used to treat conditions like chronic pain, digestive disorders, and fatigue.
What is moxibustion in ancient China?
Moxibustion has its origins in ancient China, where it was used as a primary form of treatment for a variety of ailments. It is mentioned in classical Chinese medical texts, where it was often used in conjunction with acupuncture to strengthen the body’s Qi and prevent disease. The practice of moxibustion is deeply embedded in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and was believed to have the power to expel cold, promote warmth, and balance energy. In ancient China, moxibustion was considered especially effective for conditions caused by cold or stagnant energy.
Can moxibustion induce labor?
Yes, moxibustion has been used as a natural method to help induce labor, particularly when the baby is in a breech position. Research and traditional practices suggest that applying moxibustion to certain acupuncture points can stimulate uterine contractions and help with the repositioning of the baby. At Blue Root Health, we take a careful and individualized approach when using moxibustion for labor induction, ensuring that it is done safely and under professional guidance.
Does moxibustion really work?
Yes, moxibustion has been found to be an effective therapy for various conditions, particularly when used in conjunction with acupuncture. Many patients at Blue Root Health report significant improvement in conditions like pain relief, digestive health, and stress reduction. Scientific studies suggest that the heat from moxibustion may help improve circulation, increase energy flow, and promote healing. While moxibustion may not be suitable for everyone or every condition, when applied correctly, it can be a highly beneficial therapeutic tool.
Moxibustion
Moxibustion is a traditional Chinese medicine therapy that involves the burning of dried mugwort, known as moxa, on or near specific acupuncture points on the body. This therapeutic technique aims to stimulate these points and promote healing by enhancing the flow of vital energy, or Qi, in the body. The heat generated during moxibustion penetrates deeply into the skin, influencing the flow of blood and improving overall circulation.
Moxibustion is utilized to address various health conditions, including pain management, arthritis, digestive disorders, and menstrual issues. Additionally, it strengthens the blood, expels cold and retention of excess fluids and phlegm, warms the uterus, stops bleeding, warms the spleen and the stomach to remove stagnation, regulates menstruation and calms the fetus and is great to prevent diseases and maintain general health.
Additionally, it is often employed to enhance immune function and promote general well-being. This time-honored practice has demonstrated its efficacy in contributing to holistic health and complements other traditional Chinese medicine modalities.
A landmark study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association in 1998 found that up to 75% of women suffering from breech presentations before childbirth had fetuses that rotated to the normal position after receiving moxibustion at an acupuncture point on the Bladder meridian.
CLIENT TESTIMONIALS
In praise of the rapid relief I received from Dr. Soto and the blue root staff. In June 2020, I visited Blue Root while suffering for months with horrible menopausal night sweats. I was waking up every hour in the night with intense hot flashes that would last for 15-20 minutes. It would take me 15+ minutes to fall back to sleep only to wake up again every hour! Dr. Soto recognized that not only was I suffering unduly from the flashes, but I also was not going into REM sleep and suffering from insomnia! Within 2 weeks of weekly acupuncture sessions and herbal supplements, my hourly flashes were reduced to every 2-3 hours and did not last as long. Within a month the flashes were reduced to once a night. After 3 months the flashes stopped completely! Meanwhile, I had a severe ankle and foot sprain / fracture in August 2020. I was in a walking boot and could put no weight on my foot. Dr. Soto used acupuncture and additional, specific herbal supplements to quickly reduce the swelling, allowing for more rapid healing. It was INCREDIBLE!