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Moxibustion therapy is rich in content and diverse in types, which can be broadly categorized into four major types: direct moxibustion, moxa stick moxibustion, warm needle moxibustion, and warm moxibustion device moxibustion, each containing many specific methods, which will be introduced one by one.
1. Direct Moxibustion
Direct moxibustion refers to the method of rolling pure moxa wool into cone-shaped moxa cones of varying sizes and placing the ignited moxa cone on the treatment area to prevent and treat diseases.Commonly used moxa cones are categorized into small, medium, and large, where small moxa cones are the size of wheat grains, medium moxa cones are the size of lotus seeds, and large moxa cones are the size of half an olive.
Each time a moxa cone is burned is referred to as one “zhuang”. The number of moxa cones used during treatment should depend on the patient’s specific condition.Direct moxibustion can be divided into two types: direct moxibustion and indirect moxibustion.
(1) Direct Moxibustion:Direct moxibustion involves placing a suitably sized moxa cone directly on the skin for treatment.This method is further divided into two types: scar moxibustion (also known as suppurative moxibustion) and non-scar moxibustion (non-suppurative moxibustion).
① Scar Moxibustion (Suppurative Moxibustion):Before treatment, a small amount of garlic juice is applied to the treatment area to enhance adhesion and stimulation (for sensitive skin, a small amount of water or vegetable juice can be used instead), then a suitably sized moxa cone is ignited and placed on the skin at the treatment site until it burns out.The goal is to cause a burn at the treatment site, leading to suppuration and the formation of a moxibustion sore, which heals naturally, leaving a scar after the scab falls off.
This method is quite painful and is mainly used for treating chronic stubborn diseases, with limited application for other conditions.
② Non-Scar Moxibustion (Non-Suppurative Moxibustion):Before moxibustion, a small amount of petroleum jelly is applied to the treatment area, then a small ignited moxa cone is placed on the skin. The practitioner should remove the moxa cone with tweezers when a burning sensation is felt, replacing it with another cone until the skin shows redness without blistering.
This method is mainly used for treating deficiency-cold conditions, is easier to accept, and is more commonly used.
(2) Indirect Moxibustion (Using a Medium):Indirect moxibustion involves placing certain items (i.e., using a medium) between the moxa cone and the skin before performing moxibustion.Depending on the medium used, the following are commonly used:
① Ginger Moxibustion:Fresh ginger is sliced into approximately 0.3 cm thick pieces, with several holes poked in the center, placed on the treatment area, and an ignited moxa cone is placed on the ginger slice for moxibustion.When the moxa cone burns out, it is replaced with another cone, aiming for the skin to show redness without blistering.
This method disperses cold and alleviates pain, warms the stomach, and stops vomiting, mainly used for treating wind-cold bi pain, vomiting, abdominal pain caused by cold, etc.
② Garlic Moxibustion:Fresh garlic is crushed into garlic paste, made into a cake about 0.3 cm thick, or a single clove of garlic is sliced into pieces about 0.3 cm thick and placed on the acupoint skin, with other operations similar to ginger moxibustion.
This method clears heat, detoxifies, kills parasites, and alleviates itching, mainly used for treating carbuncles, swellings, etc.
③ Salt Moxibustion:Dry salt is placed on the navel (or a thin slice of ginger is placed on the salt to prevent the salt from exploding when heated), and then a large moxa cone is placed on top for moxibustion.
This method revives yang and rescues from collapse, mainly used for treating acute vomiting and diarrhea, abdominal pain, and collapse.
④ Fuzi Cake Moxibustion:Fuzi is ground into powder, mixed with alcohol to form a cake the size of a coin, with several holes poked in the center, placed on the treatment area, and an ignited moxa cone is placed on top for moxibustion.
This method warms the kidneys and tonifies yang, mainly used for treating impotence, premature ejaculation, and chronic non-healing sores caused by kidney yang deficiency.
2. Moxa Stick Moxibustion
Moxa stick moxibustion is a method of moxibustion using moxa sticks made from moxa wool.Moxa sticks are made by wrapping moxa wool in cotton paper or mulberry paper into long strips, with those not containing medicinal powders referred to as pure moxa sticks, and those mixed with certain herbal powders referred to as medicinal moxa sticks. Currently, smokeless moxa sticks are also available on the market.Regardless of the type of moxa stick used, the methods of moxa stick moxibustion mainly include the following three types.
(1) Gentle Moxibustion:During moxibustion, one end of the moxa stick is ignited and directed towards the acupoint or area to be treated, keeping the moxa stick 2-3 cm away from the skin, allowing the patient to feel warmth without burning. Generally, each treatment lasts about 10 minutes until the skin shows redness.
This method warms the meridians and disperses cold, mainly used for treating wind-cold bi pain, etc.
(2) Rotating Moxibustion:During moxibustion, the ignited end of the moxa stick is kept at a certain distance from the skin, but the position of the moxa stick is not fixed, instead, it is rotated repeatedly while performing moxibustion.
This method has a large treatment area, mainly used for treating large areas of rheumatic pain, soft tissue injuries, and skin diseases.
(3) Pecking Moxibustion:During moxibustion, the ignited end of the moxa stick is kept at a certain distance from the treatment area, and then, like a bird pecking, the moxa stick is moved up and down for moxibustion.
This method is mainly used for treating acute diseases.
3. Warm Needle Moxibustion
Warm needle moxibustion is a treatment method that combines acupuncture and moxibustion.During use, the needle is first inserted into the acupoint, and after obtaining qi, pure moxa wool is pinched onto the needle tip, or a piece of moxa stick about 2 cm long is directly inserted onto the needle tip, then ignited from above to perform moxibustion.After the moxa wool or moxa stick burns out, the ashes are removed, and the needle is taken out.
This method is suitable for conditions that require needle retention and are also suitable for moxibustion.
4. Warm Moxibustion Device Moxibustion
Warm moxibustion device moxibustion is a treatment method using specialized devices for moxibustion.When using a warm moxibustion device, moxa wool is first placed inside the device and ignited, then the device is moved back and forth over the acupoint or area until the local area turns red.Due to the variety of warm moxibustion devices, it is impossible to introduce them all; here, only two commonly used types are introduced.
(1) Warm Moxibustion Box:The warm moxibustion box is a commonly seen rectangular moxibustion device available in large, medium, and small sizes, with the large size measuring 20 cm × 14 cm × 8 cm, medium size 15 cm × 11 cm × 8 cm, and small size 11 cm × 9 cm × 8 cm.During moxibustion, the warm moxibustion box is placed in the center of the treatment area, an ignited moxa stick is placed on the iron mesh, and the lid is closed to perform moxibustion.Each session lasts 15-30 minutes, and multiple acupoints can be treated at once.
This method is often applied to acupoints on the waist, back, and abdomen, commonly used for treating stomach pain, gastric ptosis, diarrhea, coronary heart disease, urinary retention, acute mastitis, cervical spondylosis, sciatica, and stiff neck, etc.
(2) Warm Moxibustion Tube:Common warm moxibustion tubes come in cylindrical and conical shapes, with the cylindrical type suitable for larger treatment areas and the conical type often used for small area point moxibustion.The bottom of the warm moxibustion tube has dozens of small holes, with a small tube inside that can hold moxa wool. During treatment, the moxa wool is ignited, and the tube is rolled or held stationary over the treatment area for moxibustion.Generally, moxibustion lasts 15-30 minutes.
This method is widely used, mainly for treating wind-cold-damp bi pain, abdominal pain, diarrhea, abdominal distension, and atrophy syndrome, etc.
Currently, commonly used are single-hole and multi-hole wooden moxibustion boxes, as shown in the image below:
There are also portable moxibustion devices,
as well as moxibustion cups, warm moxibustion sticks, sitting moxibustion devices, warm moxibustion beds, foot moxibustion devices, eye moxibustion racks, and many other warm moxibustion products.The emergence of these products is to facilitate moxibustion, and everyone can choose the products that suit their needs.
Moxibustion Techniques
1. Master the “Quantity” of Moxibustion
(1) “Zhuang”:In ancient times, the counting unit for moxibustion was called “zhuang”, meaning that each time a moxa cone is burned, it is referred to as “one zhuang”. Generally, the larger the moxa cone, the greater the stimulation; the more zhuang used, the greater the stimulation.Typically, each acupoint is moxibustioned for 3-7 zhuang.
(2) Distance of Moxibustion:For pure moxa stick moxibustion, the distance from the skin is generally 2-3 cm, to avoid causing burning pain.Generally, the greater the distance, the smaller the stimulation.
(3) Duration of Moxibustion:The duration is 5-10 minutes.Generally, the longer the time, the greater the stimulation.
2. The Order of Moxibustion Matters
Generally, moxibustion is performed on the upper part first, then the lower part; yang areas first, then yin areas; starting with fewer zhuang and then increasing, starting with smaller moxa cones and then larger. However, in special circumstances, it is not necessary to be overly strict and can be adjusted as needed.
3. The Key to Moxibustion is to Achieve Qi Arrival for Effectiveness
Research shows:Perception transmission activity is a manifestation of the body’s meridian qi operation and a sign of the activation of the body’s endogenous regulatory function.The efficacy of moxibustion is closely related to the degree of perception transmission; the more pronounced the perception transmission, the better the efficacy.Using methods to stimulate perception transmission and promote qi arrival at the disease site can yield unexpected results in moxibustion treatment and disease prevention.
4. Select Acupoints Precisely, Ensure Sufficient Heat
When selecting acupoints for moxibustion, it should be precise, with at least one acupoint and no more than two or three acupoints.Modern acupuncture scholars advocate:“Select acupoints accurately, simplify needle use, do not use too many acupoints for moxibustion, ensure sufficient heat and even qi.”
5. Moxibustion is Most Suitable During Seasonal Transitions
During the transition from spring to summer and summer to autumn, moxibustion is advisable.At this time, the meridians open and close, and qi and blood circulate; timely moxibustion with the heat of moxa can assist in the mutual generation of yin and yang, invigorating qi and blood, making treatment and prevention of diseases more effective.
6. Moxibustion Contraindications
(1) Scar moxibustion should not be used on the face, anterior chest, major blood vessels, and joints.
(2) Caution should be exercised when moxibustion on facial acupoints to avoid burns.
(3) Caution should be exercised during pregnancy and menstruation.
(4) Generally, moxibustion is not suitable for patients with exogenous heat diseases, yin deficiency with internal heat, insufficient yin fluids, and excessive pathogenic heat.
(5) Moxibustion should be avoided when the patient is overly fatigued, overly full, overly hungry, extremely thirsty, extremely frightened, extremely angry, etc.
(6) Patients with heart disease, hypertension, severe qi and blood deficiency, diabetes, and malignant tumors should seek medical advice for differential diagnosis and acupoint selection for moxibustion or perform moxibustion under the guidance of a physician.
7. Post-Moxibustion Care
After moxibustion, if the local skin appears slightly red and hot, this is a normal phenomenon and requires no treatment.If excessive moxibustion or prolonged duration leads to small blisters, as long as they are not broken, they can be left to absorb naturally.If the blisters are larger, they can be punctured with a sterilized needle to release the fluid, or the fluid can be drawn out with a syringe, then apply gentian violet and cover with gauze.
If using suppurative moxibustion, during the suppuration period of the moxibustion sore, it is important to rest appropriately, enhance nutrition, maintain local cleanliness, and protective dressings can be used to prevent contamination, allowing for natural healing.If not handled properly, if the pus from the moxibustion sore is yellow-green or there is bleeding, anti-inflammatory ointment or Yuhong ointment can be applied.
8. Special Attention to Fire Safety After Moxibustion
After using moxa cones or sticks, ensure they are completely extinguished to prevent re-ignition.Moxa is highly flammable, so it should be extinguished and placed in a sealed glass container, with strict attention to fire safety.
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