Moxibustion
What is Moxibustion?
Moxibustion is a form of heat therapy based on Traditional Chinese Medicine principles.
It involves the burning of dried plant/herb materials called "moxa" or “mugwort” on particular points on the body to relieve chills from the body and to help naturally rebalance the person's vital energy called "qi".
It is traditionally used alongside acupuncture and aims to warm the body and eliminate stagnation to help the body restore its optimal health.
How does Moxibustion help?
Moxibustion improves blood circulation and supports your body's natural ability to self-heal. The heat obtained from the burnt moxa can treat sore muscles and a wide range of health conditions, including:
Cold chills
Muscle cramps and strainsDigestive problems
Painful menstrual periods
Poor concentration
Sports related injuries
Memory loss / fogginess
Pain that worsens with cold like old injuries, sprains or break
Colds and flu
Backache
Fatigue
How does it work? And what to expect
Moxibustion is used to relieve pain due to injury or arthritis, digestive problems, gynecological and obstetrical conditions, and to ward off cold and flu strains.
Although it's performed above or on the surface of the skin, the healing effects of moxibustion penetrate deep into the flesh, tendons and muscles to address any unwell body part.
I often perform moxibustion and acupuncture in the same session when appropriate to the diagnosis and treatment plan. These therapies also increase each other's effectiveness when combined. These treatments both help in removing dampness and cold from the body.
Pregnant women should consult their doctor before booking a moxibustion session. At the same time, people with asthma must advise the practitioner of their condition so that smoke-free moxibustion can be performed on them
Your treatment starts when I have thoroughly assessed your body and identified the areas of ill-health. Once the mugwort has begun to burn, I will either place the grain-type moxa directly on your skin to provide direct healing or use a moxa roll slightly above the skin to provide indirect healing.
During a treatment session, you lay down fully clothed on the treatment table. Then, I perform different types of moxibustion techniques to clear and energise the body's meridians, otherwise known as energy channels.
The treatment duration varies according to the condition being treated. One area usually takes 20 to 30 minutes, so a session focusing on three acupoints can last an hour and a half.
The number of moxibustion sessions you need will depend on the severity of your condition. Some people obtain positive results after a single session, but those with serious conditions will require more.