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In the prevention and treatment of epidemics, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) offers natural advantages guided by the principles of “preventing disease before it occurs, preventing changes in existing diseases, and preventing recurrence after recovery.” Moxibustion is one of the treasures of TCM for disease prevention. Moxibustion has a history of over two thousand years in preventing and treating epidemics, with proven efficacy. The advantages of moxibustion in epidemic prevention and treatment include: strengthening the body’s defenses and expelling pathogens, as well as warming Yang, dispelling cold, and eliminating dampness; the smoke from moxa can also disinfect the environment.
1.Strengthening the Body and Expelling PathogensWarming Yang and Dispelling Cold
TCM believes that the balance of pathogenic and righteous Qi is closely related to human health. When the body’s righteous Qi is strong, it is less likely to become ill, or if illness occurs, recovery is better, as stated in the “Su Wen: Discussion on Acupuncture” that “when righteous Qi is present, pathogens cannot invade”; when the body’s righteous Qi is deficient, it is easy to become ill, and the condition may worsen, as noted in the “Su Wen: Discussion on Febrile Diseases” that “where pathogens gather, Qi must be deficient.” Moxibustion has the effect of strengthening the body and expelling pathogens, warming Yang, and dispelling cold and dampness, effectively enhancing the body’s immunity.
For moxibustion to strengthen the body and expel pathogens, the following acupuncture points can be selected:
The main points are Jiuwei (Jiuwei), Bai Liao (Bailiao), Fei Yu (Feiyu), and Shen Que (Shenque). For those with insomnia and irritability, add Yin Tang (Yintang); for those prone to heat, add Yong Quan (Yongquan).
Using these points together focuses on strengthening the body, dispelling cold and dampness, and avoiding filth and turbidity, through complementary arrangements, vertical and horizontal intersections, and balancing the rise and fall, thus harmonizing Yin and Yang, regulating Qi, replenishing lung Qi, transforming cold and dampness, and dispelling epidemic Qi.
Method of Operation:Light one end of the moxa stick, keeping it 2-4 cm away from the acupuncture points, and successively moxibustion on Jiuwei, Bai Liao, Fei Yu, and Shen Que. Each of Jiuwei, Fei Yu, Shen Que, Yin Tang, and Yong Quan should be moxibusted for 5 minutes, while Bai Liao should be moxibusted for 20 minutes. Perform moxibustion once daily, with 5 sessions constituting one treatment course. It is best to choose morning for moxibustion, as it represents the peak of Yang; afternoon moxibustion is also acceptable, but avoid moxibustion at night to prevent affecting the storage of Yang Qi. The degree of moxibustion should be such that the local skin is slightly red and feels warm. After moxibustion, add clothing promptly and avoid cold and cool foods to prevent affecting the efficacy of moxibustion.
Precautions:If during moxibustion, symptoms such as palpitations, sweating, or fatigue occur, or if existing symptoms worsen, stop moxibustion immediately and seek medical attention.
2. Moxa Smoke Disinfection and Air PurificationMoxibustion
Since ancient times, the role and effect of moxa smoke in preventing epidemics have been emphasized. The “Zhou Hou Bei Ji Fang” clearly records the disease prevention effect of moxa smoke: “Burn moxa at each corner of the patient’s bed to prevent infection.” The “Songfeng on Epidemics” records cases of using burning herbs for epidemic prevention: “Mix Cang Zhu (Atractylodes) and Jiang Xiang (Sandalwood) into a powder, roll it into moxa leaves, and burn it to eliminate filth and expel pathogens.” Modern research also shows that the smoke produced by burning moxa has disease-preventing effects and inhibits various pathogenic bacteria, fungi, and viruses.
Method of Operation:Depending on the size of the space, select an appropriate amount of moxa leaves and Cang Zhu, ignite them to produce smoke, generally for 15-30 minutes, then close the windows for 15 minutes, and finally ventilate for half an hour.
Precautions:During the fumigation, due to the closed room, people and pets such as cats and dogs should not stay inside.
Jiaxing Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital’s Preventive Health Center
The Preventive Health Center of Jiaxing Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital was established in 2010 and is a key specialty construction project of the National Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine during the 12th Five-Year Plan, as well as a key discipline in Jiaxing City. The department currently has outpatient services for preventive health and a traditional therapy treatment center, as well as a TCM specialty nursing treatment center, with 12 professional technical personnel in medicine, nursing, and technology. Guided by the principles of “preventing disease before it occurs, preventing changes in existing diseases, and preventing recurrence after recovery,” the department adheres to the traditional TCM methods of the four examinations, eight principles differentiation, and organ-meridian differentiation, utilizing renowned doctors and experts as professional technical support, employing relevant TCM diagnostic instruments, and combining modern medicine and equipment examinations to form a scientific disease prevention and treatment system, providing the public with health status information collection and management (health check-ups), health status identification and assessment (TCM constitution identification), health interventions (including health consultation and guidance), and intervention effect assessment. At the same time, it employs acupuncture, moxibustion, cupping, Sanfu plaster, Tui Na (Chinese therapeutic massage), Gua Sha (scraping therapy), physiotherapy, steaming, medicinal pastes, medicinal meals, and tea to conduct health interventions for TCM constitution imbalances, sub-health states, neck and shoulder pain, obesity, insomnia, fatigue, etc., to achieve the goals of disease prevention and health maintenance.
Target Population of the Preventive Health Center
1. Individuals concerned about health who wish to improve skin complexion (acne, wrinkles, whitening, and freckle removal), body shape (weight loss or gain), or maintain optimal health for longevity;
2. Individuals with imbalanced constitutions or a tendency to develop diseases (such as carriers of various viruses in a non-symptomatic state);
3. Individuals with noticeable symptoms but no abnormal physical and chemical indicators (such as tinnitus, bitter mouth, bad breath, blurred vision, dry eyes, nasal congestion, nasal itching, dry throat, dizziness, excessive sleepiness, abnormal sweating, constipation);
4. Individuals with physical and chemical examination indicators at critical values but not yet meeting disease diagnostic standards, i.e., populations at risk of disease (such as elevated blood lipids and sugars, prostate calcification, polyps, nodules);
5. Individuals who meet Western medical diagnostic criteria, where Western medicine treatment is effective but prone to recurrence (such as colds, coughs), or those in stable phases of chronic diseases (such as various allergic diseases: rhinitis, asthma, urticaria) who need to delay or block disease progression;
6. Individuals who are weak before pregnancy, postpartum, post-surgery, or after serious illness, needing rehabilitation or those whose diseases have healed but require prevention of recurrence;
7. Individuals who meet clinical disease diagnostic standards and need medication, but the efficacy is uncertain or the side effects are too great to bear (such as chemotherapy side effects in cancer patients, or withdrawal from hormone-dependent patients).
Special Treatment Methods of the Preventive Health Center
1. Constitution Identification:Through TCM’s four examinations, analyze the types of TCM constitution and sub-health assessments, disease susceptibility, health status, environmental adaptability, psychological index, etc., and analyze the collected information to assess the physical state of the examinee, matching appropriate intervention measures for reference. Experts will compare the collected information with clinical experience diagnoses to ultimately determine which of the nine constitutions (Balanced, Qi Deficiency, Yang Deficiency, Yin Deficiency, Phlegm-Dampness, Damp-Heat, Blood Stasis, Qi Stagnation, Special Constitution) you belong to, and match your exclusive health management suggestions based on the constitution results.
2. Health Consultation:Experts will develop a health intervention plan tailored to your constitution type, combining clinical examinations and physical and chemical test indicators, including exercise, diet, daily routines, medications, and meridian acupuncture point care.
3. Health Interventions:Guided by the philosophy of “preventing disease before it occurs,” the center conducts various traditional TCM therapies: acupuncture, moxibustion, cupping, TCM massage, herbal steaming therapy, Gua Sha, medicinal pastes, Sanfu plaster, acupuncture point application, herbal facial masks, ear acupressure, buried thread therapy, moxibustion, internal acupuncture, needle therapy, foot baths, medicinal teas, etc.
4. TCM Medicinal Pastes:These have the characteristics of combining treatment with nourishment, where treatment is integrated with supplementation, suitable for conditions caused by disease leading to deficiency, or chronic, stubborn, and consumptive diseases.
Preventive Health Center Outpatient Hours Overview
Text | Preventive Health Center
Editor | Bao Luchen
Reviewed by | Huai Xiaofeng
Issued by | Luo Kaitao
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Phone: 0573-82079137