Moxibustion is a therapeutic technique used in conjunction with acupuncture, acupressure, cupping and Chinese herbal medicine. It is one of the common practices in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). This clinical method employs a burning moxa mugwort (Chinese wormwood, Artemisia vulgaris) directly over the skin at acupuncture points. Practitioners use moxa to warm regions and acupuncture points with the intention of stimulating circulation throughout the points to induce a smoother flow of blood and qi. Moxibustion can be administered in many different ways, such as direct moxibustion, indirect moxibustion and needle moxibustion. The treatment in practice is used for the common cold, soft tissue damage, multiple sclerosis, menstrual disorder, gastrointestinal disorder and chronic malfunctioned conditions. There are three common moxibustion techniques used in a clinical setting.

Moxibustion History

Moxibustion, as acupuncture, is one of the primary modalities for Traditional Chinese Medicine and has a long rich history. Some medical historians believe that moxibustion pre-dated acupuncture. The ancient Chinese had struggled for many years before they discovered that warming themselves by a fire could relieve or even stop pain. In their search for the ideal burning material they tested wood chips, bundles of hay and finally the moxa plant. The dry moxa leaves were ground into fluff which could then be easily formed into a cone or roll-shaped moxa which can then be applied as treatment on various parts of the body. Moxibustion can work alone or be cohesively administered to enhance acupuncture.

During the Eastern Han dynasty to the Three Kingdoms, the skills of acupuncture and moxibustion was further developed. Hua Tuo, a famous Chinese doctor used the techniques not only on internal treatment but also surgical. (Canon of Moxibustion and Acupuncture Preserved in Pillow)

Zhang Zhongjing, another doctor in this period had also elaborated the methods of acupuncture, moxibustion, fire needling, and warm needling management of various treatments in acupuncture. He stressed the combination of acupuncture moxibustion with medicinal herbs for treatment according to the differentiation of complicated syndromes. (Treatise on Febrile and Miscellaneous Diseases)

During the Jin Dynasty, Huangfu Mi wrote the book A to B Classics of Acupuncture and Moxibustion which consists of 12 volumes 128 chapters including 349 acupuncture points with locations, indications, and manipulation techniques. It also describes the regulations and precautions of acupuncture and moxibustion and common diseases it could treat. This is the earliest exclusive book on acupuncture and moxibustion that has been one of the most influential works in the history of Traditional Chinese Medicine.

Characteristics and Specialties

Direct Moxibustion: Practitioners place a small cone-shape of moxa directly on the skin at the acupuncture point and lights it up until the moxa cone burns out; more than one cone of moxa may be applied as the treatment plan requires. Direct moxibustion is a traditional technique considered to be very effective especially on particular acute situations and for the ongoing promotion of the immune system. However, direct moxibustion needs to be handled with extra care and patients should be well informed as it may have some undesirable effects such as blistering, burn marks, and even scarring at the moxibustion site after the treatment.

Indirect moxibustion: There are two different techniques: The first one is where the practitioner circles a lit up cigar-shaped moxa over the skin, either at the acupuncture point, along the meridian or around the inserted needle until the skin becomes flush. The second one has the practitioner place a medium (a handful of salt, a slice of ginger, a slice of garlic, etc.) between the skin and the lit up moxa cone until the moxa burns out. The intense heat causes the blood flow to rise, thus improving the circulation. Indirect moxibustion is relaxing and comfortable, often being used for menstrual, gastrointestinal and musculoskeletal disorders. It is suitable for all ages.

Needle Moxibustion: A lit up stick-shape moxa is attached onto an inserted needle allowing heat to travel through the needle into deeper layers of soft tissue. This technique is being used for chronic deficiency conditions and obstinate pain syndromes. It can be of very beneficial for fibromyalgia, bursitis, tendonitis, multiple sclerosis, sciatica, Crohn’s, colitis, migraines, trigeminal neuralgia, etc.