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Lesser Known TCM Techniques (part 3)

© Matthew Scott

This article on moxibustion is the last in my coverage of some of the lesser known but often used traditional Chinese therapies.

Moxibustion involves warming the skin at specific points or areas of the body in order to treat conditions that are diagnosed as deficient or cold or where there is stagnation of blood and qi(vital energy). Note: if your are unfamiliar with TCM concepts refer to my earlier articles and the list of links.

Deficient conditions for example are those where the signs and symptoms of the patient point to a lack of vitality or nourishment in a part of the body. For instance, a patient may complain of tiredness, poor appetite, bloating after meals, dull epigastric pain and loose bowels.This may indicate a deficiency within their digestive system which is not assimilating and absorbing food as it should be.

Moxibustion in conjunction with acupuncture and herbal medicine would be used to warm, nourish and tonify the person's digestive organs.

The heat in moxibustion is generated by burning a Chinese herb, mugwort. Mugwort or moxa as the dried form is called, has been used therapeutically in China for several thousand years.

TCM practitioners apply moxibustion using one or more of the following methods. Moxa sticks which are similar in size and shape to long, white household candles, are commonly used. Once the treatment points are selected the moxa stick is lit, usually by a cigarette lighter, then held an inch or two above the skin. The selected points are mostly acupuncture points and each is warmed for 5-10 minutes, depending on the patient and the condition to be treated.

Where broad areas such as the lower back require treatment, a moxa box is used. This is a small, wooden box, with the bottom made of metal gauze. Moxa punk, a loose form of dried mugwort, is spread over the gauze and lit. The box is placed onto the back or other area and the lid is closed to prevent heat from escaping.

Alternatively, balls of moxa punk are attached directly to the handles of inserted acupuncture needles, then lit. This very effective method combines the heat from moxibustion with the benefits of acupuncture.

Finally, small moxa cones made from moxa punk are placed directly onto the skin. The tips of the cones are lit and each one slowly burns until the patient indicates that the heat is too intense.They are then quickly and easily removed by the practitioner.