Types of Moxibustion
Indirect Moxibustion:
refers to the burning of dried wormwood plant above the skin surface or on mediators (ginger, radish, orange peel, salt, turtle shell). The indications for this type of moxibustion are similar to those of acupuncture and are extensive. They include every category of medicine such as obstetrics, gynecology, urology, orthopaedics, pediatrics, dermatology, neurology and more. Based on Chinese publications, there are 100-200 diseases indicated for treatment with moxibustion.Moxa Sticks
Moxa Sticks are the most commonly used in practice. They are relatively safe and easy to apply at home by the patient in order to optimize the treatment. Quality and quantity of moxa sticks are very important for a successful treatment outcome. In our practice we use only the highest quality of moxa. Moxa stick (4cm diameter and 8:1 ratio) over the acupuncture point GV20 has proven to successfully treat pelvic organ prolapse (documented by video: assessment before and after the treatment).
Moxa Cones
Moxa Cones on Ginger are used for excessive or deficient cold patterns such as infertility, dysmenorrhea, diarrhea, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis as well various types of Qi stagnation symptoms (chronic pain incl. pelvic pain), blood stasis symptoms (trauma, injury) and kidney deficiency symptoms (bedwetting, stress urinary incontinence).
Walnut-Shell Moxa Glasses
• Walnut-Shell Moxa Glasses are another technique for indirect moxibustion. According to TCM the walnut is known to
the kidney essence and the brain. Moxa glasses are used to clear brain fog, fascial paralysis, drooping of the eye lid, anxiety, depression, runny nose/seasonal allergies, insomnia, loss of smell, migraine headaches, to calm an overactive child and more.
Heat Sensitive Moxibustion
• Heat Sensitive Moxibustion is a new and effective form of suspended moxibustion. Acupuncture points are tested for heat sensitivity and each treatment is individually tailored based on the patient’s feedback. This technique was developed by Prof. Chen Ri-Xin, a chief physician of TCM at the Jiangxi Hospital. From 2014 to 2019 he published 106 research papers. His new concept of sensitized acupoints has led to breakthroughs in the traditional understandings of acupoints. The main focus of his technique is to accurately locate heat sensitive acupoints and to administer the appropriate amount of moxibustion in an individualized and scientific way. Heat sensitive moxibustion is practically indicated for any condition where heat sensitive points can be found. However the most researched is for the following conditions: IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome), Dysmenorrhea, Abdominal Pain, Constipation, Chronic Pelvic Inflammatory Disease, Impotence, Chronic Prostatitis, Insomnia, Knee Osteoarthritis and other.
Turtle Salt Moxa
• Turtle Salt Moxa: turtle is an animal known for its longevity. In TCM the turtle shell is considered to nourish kidney yang, to generate yin and to prolong life. Salt has been used in different folk-medical systems for its healing properties. The indications for turtle moxa are as follows:
– In Urology: acute and chronic urinary tract infections(UTI-s), acute and chronic prostatitis, benign prostatic hyperplasia, urinary incontinence, enuresis.
– In Gynecology and Reproductive Medicine: irregular menstruation, dysmenorrhea, menopausal syndrome, prolapse, fibroids, low libido, female infertility, impotence, premature ejaculation, semen-related abnormalities (azoospermia, oligospermia, necrozoospermia, etc.)
– In Gastroenterology: chronic diarrhea, gastritis, ptosis, gastric ulcers and chronic vomiting.
Dragon Moxa
Dragon Moxa: ginger crushed into a paste is spread over the spine. Moxa wool is placed on top of the ginger paste. In ancient time dragon moxa was used to treat chronic weakness. According to modern day research, dragon moxibustion method can regulate the immune system. It is proven to benefit the nervous, digestive, respiratory and cardio-vascular systems. It is also proven to stabilize blood pressure, dilate blood vessels, lower blood lipids, increase red blood cell, hemoglobin and platelet count levels, promotes bone marrow function and improves pituitary-adrenal cortex system excitability.
Direct Moxibustion
Direct Moxibustion: refers to the burning of dried wormwood plant directly on the skin. It is a scaring moxibustion technique but since ancient times, it was considered as the most powerful type of moxibustion. The legend says that the famous doctor Sun Simiao from the Tang Dynasty lived to more than 100 years of age. He was routinely performing direct moxibustion on his ST36 acupuncture point. An ancient health secret says: “If you want to stay healthy ST36 should never dry” (meaning always apply rice grain size moxa wool on the point and burn 20-30 or more cones until experiencing heat spreading through the meridians). Direct moxibustion is the most powerful type of moxibustion for specific points in acute and life-threatening cases. It recuperates organ function.