Introduction
of moxibustion therapy
Origins
The actual Chinese character for acupuncture literally
translates into "acupuncture-moxibustion." More than
3,000 years ago, during the Shang Dynasty in China, hieroglyphs
of acupuncture and moxibustion were found on bones and tortoise
shells, meaning the practice precedes that date. The root word,
"moxa" is actually derived from the Japanese
Moxibustion
is the burning of mugwort over inflamed and affected areas of the
body. The mugwort can come in sticks that closely resemble the circumference
and length of a cigar. Moxa cones can also be burned. The mugwort,
called Ai Ye in traditional Chinese medicine, is positioned
over acupuncture points to stimulate the qi and blood. In breech presentation
babies, the acupoint BL 67, located on the outside of the little toe,
is stimulated. For menstrual cramps, the meridian called the Ren Channel,
the center line of the lower abdomen, is treated. Moxibustion is almost
always used in conjunction with acupuncture, as a complementary technique.
In Japan, there are practitioners who are separately licensed to practice
as specialists in moxibustion. It is used for a wide variety of ailments,
depending on the patient's needs and history. Therefore, it is difficult
to cite costs and length of the treatment. For menstrual cramps, moxibustion
can be used once. For breech presentation, the turning may occur during
the treatment. Similar to acupuncture, it is sometimes covered by
insurance and workers' compensation. Patients can be taught how to
treat themselves, and moxa sticks are easily purchased |
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Definition
Moxibustion
is a technique used in traditional
Chinese medicine in which a stick or cone of burning mugwort
, Artemesia vulgaris, is placed over an inflamed or affected
area on the body. The cone is placed on an acupuncture point and
burned. The cones is removed before burning the skin. The purpose
is to stimulate and strengthen the blood and the life energy,
or Qi, of the body.
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Benefits
Moxibustion is used for people who have a cold
or stagnant condition. The moxa stick is burned to warm up the
blood and Qi that are not circulating well. It is particularly
known for its ability to turn breech presentation babies into
a normal head-down position that is considered safer during childbirth.
In a 1998 study published in the Journal of the American Medical
Association, 75% of the pregnant women in the study had breech
fetuses that turned in the normal position. Moxibustion significantly
increases fetal movements in pregnant women. Moxibustion is also
used to treat inflammations. For example, if treating a patient
with tendinitis, the moxa stick is burned over the elbow area.
It is also highly regarded for menstrual cramps, where the stick
is waved over the abdominal area. Often, the cramps disappear
immediately.
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| Moxa
on acupuncture points is frequently done with acupuncture treatment
for many kinds of ailments. The treatment brings warmth and helps
strengthen the activity of the blood.
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