What is moxibustion?
Moxibustion is a traditional Chinese Medicine practice that uses the herb “Mugwort” which is also known as Artemisia vulgaris or Ai Ye in Chinese Herbal Medicine. The herb has the property of being warming and it increases the blood flow with the use of heat therapy.
Moxibustion is the use of heat therapy which is applied to increase the movement of Qi and blood through the meridians, strengthen the blood and improve a person’s overall health and vitality. A Practitioner may use either direct or indirect Moxa on a client. Moxa is applied to Acupuncture points or to areas of blockages or pain.
Direct Moxa, involves the herb being rolled up into a cone and placed directly onto the skin. The moxa is then light with an incense stick and burned down to approximately ¾ of the cone, then removed. A client should begin to feel the heat penetrate into the skin. One or up to 20 cones may be used on an acupuncture point to achieve the desired outcome. (I.e. heat and redness to the area).
Indirect moxa, is the use of moxa which is not placed directly onto the skin. A practitioner may use a cone of moxa placed onto the top of an acupuncture needle, which enables the heat to penetrate straight down the needle and into the surrounding area. Or, a moxa stick may be light and held about an inch away from the skins surface, for approximately 7 minutes until the area feels warm and shows redness.
Traditionally moxa is used to assist with pain which can be caused due to “cold” conditions, or due to arthritis. It has also been used to assit with turning breech babies from a breech position to an engaged position ( i.e. head down into the pelvic cavity) prior to birth, along side acupuncture and standard helathcare. (1, 2, 3, 5,9, 10, 11)
Research has shown that Mugwort acts as an emmenagogue ¬ that is, an agent that increases blood circulation to the pelvic area and uterus and stimulates menstruation. This could explain its use in breech births and menstrual cramps. (1, 2, 3, 5,9, 10, 11)
New Evidence has shown that using moxibustion in conjunction with acupuncture and other alternative theapies, may assit with a baby changing thier position.
You can read all about the latest evidence – please click the link below:
https://www.evidencebasedacupuncture.org/acupuncture-moxibustion-breech-presentation/
At Rebalance Chinese Medicine, when using moxibustion as part of your treatment plan we will adopt a holistic approach and consider the following when appropriate to ensure you receive the best possible assitance:
- Chinese Herbal Medicine
- Lifestyle Issues
- Diet and Food Therapy
- Acupuncture
- Meditation
What are the benefits of moxibustion?
• Pain relief – in injuries or due to arthritis, it is particularly good for conditions where the pain feels better with the use of heat application
• In “cold” conditions – causing blockages, the use of heat treatment moves the blockage and allows theccc blood and qi to return to normal flow
• Strengthens the blood, improves qi and blood flow
• In repositioning the fetus in Breech conditions while being used alongside acupuncture and other medical assistance – such as an ECV. (1, 9, 10, 11)
https://www.evidencebasedacupuncture.org/acupuncture-moxibustion-breech-presentation/
• Moxibustion may help regulate blood flow, which is important for overall health.
• To aid with anemia in pregnancy – Moxa is applied to the traditional acupuncture point St36 for 10 consective days – moxibustion may help regulate blood flow, which is important for overall health.
Moxa is traditionally used in combination with acupuncture. A practitioner may also send you home with a Moxa stick to use at home, especially in Pregnancy where a baby is in a transverse position or not head down.
At Rebalance Chinese Medicine, if we send you home with a Moxa stick we will make sure you know how to use it safely.
A moxa safety sheet will be provided to you with instructions on how to use moxa safely at home.
The smell of Moxa is quite pungent and a lot of smoke can be released. If you suffer from respiratory disorders, please advice your practitioner, as Moxa may not be suitable for you.
Moxibustion may assist with
- Musculoskeletal Conditions
- Fertility – by improving blood flow and circulation of blood to the reproductive organs
- Menstrual disorders – by improving blood flow and reducing cold.
- Digestive Disorders
- Overall Health
- Lower Back Pain
- Pain
- Cold in an area impacting muscles
- incorrect position of a baby – when used in combination with acupuncture and alongside normal standard care ( under the supervision of a midwife / OB).
References:
1. Hofmeyr, G. J., Kulier, R. & West, H. M. External cephalic version for breech presentation at term. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2019, (2015).
2. Dekker, R. Evidence on: Breech Version. Evidence Based Birth® (2017) at https://evidencebasedbirth.com/what-is-the-evidence-for-using-an-external-cephalic- version-to-turn-a-breech-baby/
3. Obstetric Care Consensus No. 1: Safe Prevention of the Primary Cesarean Delivery. Obstetrics & Gynecology 123, 693–711 (2014).
4. Smith, C. A. & Betts, D. The practice of acupuncture and moxibustion to promote cephalic version for women with a breech presentation: Implications for clinical practice and research.
Complementary Therapies in Medicine 22, 75–80 (2014).
5. Coyle, M. E., Smith, C. A. & Peat, B. Cephalic version by moxibustion for breech presentation. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews (2023). doi:10.1002/14651858.CD003928. pub4
6. Liao, J.-A., Shao, S.-C., Chang, C.-T., Chai, P. Y.-C., Owang, K.-L., Huang, T.-H., Yang, C.-H., Lee, T.-J. & Chen, Y.-C. Correction of Breech Presentation with Moxibustion and Acupuncture: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Healthcare 9, 619 (2021).
7. Vas, J., Aranda-Regules, J. M., Modesto, M., Ramos-Monserrat, M., Barón, M., Aguilar, I., Benítez-Parejo, N., Ramírez-Carmona, C. & Rivas-Ruiz, F. Using Moxibustion in Primary Healthcare to Correct Non-Vertex Presentation: A Multicentre Randomised Controlled Trial. Acupunct Med 31, 31–38 (2013).
8. External Cephalic Version and Reducing the Incidence of Term Breech Presentation: Green-top Guideline No. 20a. BJOG: Int J Obstet Gy 124, e178–e192 (2017).
9. Cardini, F. & Weixin, H. Moxibustion for Correction of Breech Presentation: A Randomized Controlled Trial. JAMA 280, 1580 (1998).
10. Cardini, F., Lombardo, P., Regalia, A. L., Regaldo, G., Zanini, A., Negri, M. G., Panepuccia, L. & Todros, T. A randomised controlled trial of moxibustion for breech presentation. BJOG: Int J O&G 112, 743–747 (2005).
11. Neri, I., Airola, G., Contu, G., Allais, G., Facchinetti, F. & Benedetto, C. Acupuncture plus moxibustion to resolve breech presentation: a randomized controlled study. The Journal of Maternal-Fetal & Neonatal Medicine 15, 247–252 (2004).
12. MAMPS. Maternity Acupuncture Mentoring & Peer Support. Maternity Acupuncture Mentoring & Peer Support at https://www.mamps.org
13. MAMPS. MAMPS – Resources. Maternity Acupuncture Mentoring & Peer Support at https://www.mamps.org/resources
Disclaimer: Each individual’s treatment and/or results may vary from patient to patient based on the circumstances of the patient’s specific situation. A result is not promised and/or guaranteed from the act of receiving treatment.