Uncle Wen says Making Traditional Chinese Medicine more beautiful, interesting, and closer to life
Many people treat moxibustion like barbecuing and then question whether moxibustion is a scam.
It’s not that moxibustion is a scam; it’s that you haven’t used the right method and haven’t grasped the essence of moxibustion, nor understood the responses of the body.
To achieve effective results with moxibustion, I have summarized three main elements that must be followed.
First, choose high-quality aged moxa for the treatment.
Second, the selection of acupuncture points is crucial; it’s best to understand some commonly used points yourself.
Third, appropriately apply moxibustion techniques to enhance the effects.
The quality of moxibustion sticks on the market varies greatly, learning acupuncture point selection is not easy, and moxibustion techniques are diverse.
Therefore, achieving good therapeutic effects with moxibustion is not simple.
However, moxibustion is one of the easiest methods in TCM for the public to learn and is highly recommended for health maintenance.
How can you tell if your moxibustion stick is of good quality? How can you know if your moxibustion technique is correct?
Experienced individuals will feel their body state after moxibustion, sense the responses, and interpret the signals from their body to understand moxibustion.
Friends often message me asking: What to do if moxibustion causes heat? What to do if the skin itches after moxibustion?
Today, I will clarify these common responses to moxibustion for everyone.
1. Moxibustion causes heat.
If moxibustion causes heat, it indicates that you may have a heat constitution or a yin deficiency constitution, or it could be due to excessive moxibustion or improper point selection.
Analyze your specific situation.
If heat occurs from moxibustion, it is recommended to combine points such as Yongquan (Kidney 1), Zusanli (Stomach 36), and Taixi (Kidney 7) during the next session to help direct the heat downward and restore balance, which can improve the issue of heat from moxibustion.
2. Moxibustion feels too hot.
If there is a noticeable burning sensation during moxibustion, there are several possible reasons.
First, the quality of the moxa may be an issue. Fresh moxa tends to have a much stronger burning sensation than aged moxa. In this case, it is advisable to switch to high-quality aged moxa.
Second, it may indicate severe stagnation of qi and blood at the moxibustion site. The burning sensation occurs because the heat cannot penetrate; this is due to significant internal blockage preventing the heat from penetrating.
In this case, it is recommended to perform tapping before moxibustion to help clear qi and blood, making the treatment less intense.
In such cases, use a circular moxibustion technique and continue for several sessions; once qi and blood are cleared, the burning sensation will lessen.
3. No heat sensation from moxibustion.
If others feel a significant heat sensation from the same moxibustion stick and distance, but you do not, it indicates that you have a significant amount of cold in your body or severe qi and blood deficiency.
Because your body is too cold or your qi and blood energy is too low, you cannot perceive the normal heat from moxibustion. In this case, you should increase the amount of moxibustion and use a thicker moxibustion stick more frequently.
4. Sweating during moxibustion.
Being able to sweat indicates that there is a lot of dampness in the body, and the dampness is being expelled through sweat, which is a good sign.
If the sweat is cold, it indicates that there is still a lot of cold in the body.
In this case, continue moxibustion to expel the cold and dampness, and you will feel better.
5. Skin itching after moxibustion.
Skin itching after moxibustion can have several causes.
The first possibility is that there was already a wind pathogen lurking in the body, and after moxibustion, the righteous qi is enhanced, trying to expel the wind pathogen, which can cause itching during the process.
The second possibility is that after moxibustion, the qi and blood are enhanced, and the process of clearing previous blockages can also cause itching.
The third possibility is that the skin develops eczema or red bumps, which can also cause itching due to excessive dampness in the body; moxibustion enhances righteous qi, which begins to expel dampness, leading to eczema.
If any of these situations occur, it is a very good sign; continue to increase the amount of moxibustion, and as the righteous qi strengthens and expels the pathogenic factors, these responses will naturally disappear.
6. Severe thirst after moxibustion.
If you are usually prone to thirst, you may feel even thirstier after moxibustion, which is normal.
In this case, it is advisable to drink more water and consume foods that nourish yin, such as sour plum soup to replenish body fluids. You can also combine points like Taixi (Kidney 7) and Quchi (Large Intestine 11) to nourish yin.
If you are indeed yin deficient and still feel very thirsty after adding Taixi and Quchi, it is advisable to stop moxibustion.
7. Aching, numbness, and swelling after moxibustion.
Aching, numbness, and swelling in the limbs are external manifestations of the internal state of qi and blood.
Aching indicates insufficient qi and blood to meet normal needs.
Numbness indicates that qi and blood cannot flow normally.
Swelling indicates that there is a pathogenic factor blocking the meridians, often due to excess dampness in the body.
Pain usually indicates blood stasis; where there is blockage, there is pain.
If you experience aching, numbness, and swelling after moxibustion, it indicates that the energy from moxibustion is helping to clear the body, and these responses are good signs. Continue with moxibustion, and these bodily reactions will gradually disappear.
8. Feeling cool air after moxibustion.
After moxibustion, some people may feel cool air in their knees, abdomen, neck, or soles of their feet…
These are good signs of expelling pathogenic factors, indicating that moxibustion is helping to expel cold from the body.
Moxibustion uses pure yang fire to reach all corners of your body, forcing the cold out through the weakest points.
In this case, increase the amount of moxibustion.
9. Sweating profusely during moxibustion.
In summer, it is normal for people to sweat profusely during moxibustion; in winter, a slight sweat is preferable.
So, you should know that sweating during summer moxibustion is normal; not sweating is abnormal.
If you sweat cold, it indicates that there is significant cold dampness in the body; at this time, increase the amount of moxibustion.
After sweating profusely, some people may feel too weak, which indicates insufficient righteous qi; you can drink Shengmai Drink to replenish righteous qi after moxibustion.
10. No sweating during moxibustion.
If there is no sweating during moxibustion, it is common for the lower limbs to not sweat, which can have two possible reasons.
One reason is that there is too much cold in the lower body, which closes the pores, preventing sweat from coming out.
The other reason is that there is severe qi and blood stagnation in the lower limbs, preventing sweat from being released.
No sweating during moxibustion is a sign of significant internal blockage; increase the amount of moxibustion.
You can also soak your feet or massage to clear the meridians before moxibustion.
11. Increased oiliness of the skin after moxibustion.
If there is increased oiliness of the skin after moxibustion, it indicates that there is high blood lipid and many toxins in the blood; under the influence of moxibustion, the body’s waste has the opportunity to be expelled to the surface, which is a good phenomenon.
In this case, continue to increase the amount of moxibustion, and it is also advisable to combine points like Dan Shu (Gallbladder 19) and Fenglong (Stomach 40) to reduce lipids and resolve phlegm.
12. Gurgling stomach or increased gas or belching after moxibustion.
This is a signal of the expulsion of turbid qi from the body, indicating that the righteous qi has been enhanced and is expelling abnormalities, which is a very good sign.
If you experience this response, continue to increase the amount of moxibustion until these reactions disappear.
13. Diarrhea after moxibustion.
If diarrhea occurs after moxibustion, it is a manifestation of the intestines’ righteous qi being enhanced and expelling cold dampness and turbid qi. This is a very good sign; you should increase the amount of moxibustion to expel the turbid qi completely, and your body will feel better.
14. Irregular menstruation after moxibustion.
For women, after moxibustion, the yang qi is enhanced, and the balance of yin and yang in the body will be readjusted, which may also readjust the menstrual cycle.
If menstruation comes early or is delayed after moxibustion, there is no need to worry; just continue with the original moxibustion method.
15. Increased menstrual flow after moxibustion.
If menstrual flow increases after moxibustion, this is a good sign of expelling pathogenic factors.
The yang energy is melting the cold and dampness that were previously blocked in the lower body, allowing them to be expelled, resulting in increased menstrual flow.
If this occurs, continue to increase the amount of moxibustion to clear the body of waste, and the menstrual flow will return to normal.
16. Decreased menstrual flow after moxibustion.
If menstrual flow decreases after moxibustion, there can be several possible reasons.
One reason may be excessive moxibustion or improper point selection, which can harm the yin and lead to decreased flow. In this case, adjustments should be made; if it is indeed a yin deficiency constitution, reduce the amount of moxibustion. If it is due to improper point selection, adjust the points accordingly.
Another possible reason is that the body is readjusting the menstrual cycle; there is no need to worry excessively, just observe the next menstrual situation to adjust the plan.
Generally, if menstrual flow decreases after moxibustion, it is advisable to moxibustion Sanyinjiao (Spleen 6) and Zusanli (Stomach 36) during menstruation for health maintenance.
17. Insomnia after moxibustion.
Insomnia after moxibustion is often caused by moxibustion being done too late.
Moxibustion at night can disturb yang energy, leading to insomnia; it is advisable to perform moxibustion during the day, and the selection of points should be considered.
For example, combine Yongquan (Kidney 1) + Taixi (Kidney 7) + Sanmiao (Spleen 9) to nourish yin and support the kidneys, direct fire back to the source, and calm the mind for sleep.
If you still experience insomnia after moxibustion on lower limb points during the day, it is likely due to a yin deficiency with excess fire; in this case, it is advisable to stop moxibustion and consume more yin-nourishing foods.
18. Worsening symptoms after moxibustion.
If symptoms worsen after moxibustion, this situation should be handled with caution, and the reasons should be analyzed carefully.
Worsening symptoms can be a good sign or indicate that the treatment direction is incorrect.
For example, if someone has dysmenorrhea and it worsens after moxibustion, this is often a good sign, indicating that the blockage is being cleared, and pain may increase during this process.
On the other hand, if constipation worsens after moxibustion, this may be a bad sign, and the treatment plan should be adjusted. If it is due to deficiency of fluids in the intestines, it is better to stop moxibustion and use herbal medicine for treatment.
19. Drowsiness and fatigue after moxibustion.
If you feel sleepy after moxibustion, it indicates that the effects of clearing qi and blood are significant, showing that your qi and blood were previously blocked, and moxibustion has helped to restore balance.
In this case, if you feel sleepy, it is advisable to rest more, as your body needs to recharge.
If you feel fatigued after moxibustion, the same principle applies; you can take Shengmai Drink.
20. Sneezing, runny nose, increased urination, and increased bowel movements after moxibustion.
If you experience these signals after moxibustion, congratulations! The detoxification effects of moxibustion are excellent.
Pathogenic factors in the lungs are expelled through the nose, resulting in sneezing and a runny nose; pathogenic factors in the kidneys are expelled through increased urination; the largest detoxification pathway in the body is the large intestine, and toxins are expelled through increased bowel movements.
Continue with moxibustion to expel all toxins from the body, and you will achieve true health.
21. Increased vaginal discharge after moxibustion.
After moxibustion enhances yang energy, it drives out yin pathogens, causing cold dampness to be expelled from the vagina, resulting in increased discharge.
In this case, it is advisable to perform moxibustion on the back’s governing vessel to primarily elevate yang energy, allowing it to rise and evaporate the cold dampness.
Additionally, herbal formulas like Wan Dai Tang can be used to strengthen the spleen and stomach, addressing the root cause of increased vaginal discharge.
22. Blisters on the skin after moxibustion.
If blisters appear on the skin after moxibustion, there may be two reasons.
One reason is improper moxibustion technique, leading to uneven heating of the skin.
The other reason indicates that there is significant dampness in the body, with water pathogens being expelled through the skin.
If blisters appear, do not panic; this is a good sign.
For small blisters, no special treatment is needed; let them resolve naturally.
If the blisters are large, you can use a disposable needle to puncture the edge of the blister to release the fluid, but do not break the skin on top; it will heal in a day or two.
If it is summer, you can moxibustion for an additional 10 minutes after puncturing the blister to have a sterilizing effect and prevent bacterial infection.
23. Increased or unstable blood pressure after moxibustion.
Many friends become afraid to continue moxibustion after experiencing increased blood pressure, not understanding the principles of moxibustion in disease elimination.
After moxibustion, the enhancement of yang energy accelerates the circulation of qi and blood, which can temporarily raise blood pressure. Therefore, increased or unstable blood pressure may occur after moxibustion.
This situation arises because there is too much yin pathogen in the body, and insufficient yang energy forces the body to raise blood pressure passively to maintain blood flow.
Now, using moxibustion to support yang actively raises blood pressure to expel pathogens. Once the righteous qi is sufficiently supported and the pathogens are expelled, and the waste in the blood vessels is cleared, the high blood pressure issue can be fundamentally resolved.
So, in this situation, continue moxibustion and maintain the amount; it is also advisable to combine Baihui (Governing Vessel 20) + Yongquan (Kidney 1) to connect the highest and lowest points of the body, allowing for smooth circulation.
Additionally, combining Quchi (Large Intestine 11) can help cleanse the blood vessels, gradually lowering blood pressure.
24. Increased blood sugar after moxibustion.
For diabetic patients who have been taking hypoglycemic medications for a long time, it is common to experience increased blood sugar after moxibustion.
Many diabetics mistakenly believe that they are unsuitable for moxibustion and give it up after experiencing increased blood sugar.
Why does blood sugar increase after moxibustion?
High blood sugar occurs because the body secretes too little insulin, which cannot metabolize various sugars, causing them to accumulate in the blood vessels.
Hypoglycemic medications do not truly eliminate sugar; they merely lower it to the feet, resulting in a relative decrease in blood sugar levels.
Thus, long-term use of hypoglycemic medications can lead to diabetic foot, making it difficult to treat with TCM at this stage.
Moxibustion enhances yang energy, and once yang energy is sufficient, it can raise the sugar that has settled in the feet back into the bloodstream, causing blood sugar to rise for a period.
So, what should you do?
If blood sugar rises, don’t focus too much on a single data point; what you need is health, not just normal indicators.
Once the sugar rises from the feet, as long as you persist with moxibustion and enhance the spleen’s ability to transform, the sugar can be metabolized, fundamentally addressing the issue of diabetes.
For diabetic patients, it is advisable to moxibustion the back shu points: Pishu (Spleen 20), Sanjiao Shu (San Jiao 5), and Shen Shu (Kidney 23) thoroughly, and also moxibustion Zhongwan (Ren 12) + Zusanli (Stomach 36) to gradually control blood sugar levels.
25. Bloating and acid reflux after moxibustion.
Stomach issues are most suitable for moxibustion; typically, for stomach problems, using Zhongwan (Ren 12) + Zusanli (Stomach 36) can resolve them.
However, some people may experience bloating and acid reflux after moxibustion at these two points.
The main reason for this situation is that the problem lies in the gallbladder, not the stomach.
If there is excessive gallbladder fire and it is not reduced, it can prevent the stomach from descending, leading to bloating and acid reflux.
If you only use Zusanli to lower stomach qi, it may not resolve the gallbladder fire issue and could even worsen symptoms.
In this case, it is advisable to replace Zusanli with Yanglingquan (Gallbladder 34) to clear gallbladder heat and reduce gallbladder fire, which can often resolve the issue of stomach and gallbladder imbalance.
Responses from the body after moxibustion are mostly good signs; understanding these signals can help us perform moxibustion correctly.
In fact, the worst outcome of moxibustion is when there are no responses from the body.
No response often has several reasons.
The first reason is that the amount of moxibustion is insufficient; in this case, consider using a thicker moxibustion stick.
The other reason is that the body’s sensitivity is too dull to perceive the internal changes; such individuals often do not pay attention to their internal state and are the most likely to develop serious illnesses.
Alright, the above are the 25 common responses to moxibustion that everyone is concerned about, limited by space, I can only list these.
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