Moxibustion needles are a method of treatment that involves rapidly inserting a needle heated to red-hot temperatures into acupuncture points to treat diseases. As early as in the “Lingshu: Guanzhen,” it is recorded: “For those who use cauterization, the burning needle is used to treat bi syndrome.” Moxibustion needles combine the strengths of both fire needles and fine needles (fire needles are thicker and cause more pain, while fine needles are thinner and less effective), thus optimizing acupuncture therapy and enhancing its efficacy.
In our hospital’s TCM department, one can often witness scenes like this: when doctors perform moxibustion needle therapy on patients, they quickly insert and withdraw the heated fine needle with lightning speed, leaving the patient barely able to feel the intense sensation of the moxibustion needle before the treatment is completed. “Oh, is it done?” “Is there still a needle in the acupuncture point?” “It really feels much better than before! It’s amazing!” These are common remarks we hear.
The heated fine needle
Expelling cold and dampness, warming the meridians, promoting qi and blood circulation, and facilitating fluid movement will stop the pain, which is the mechanism of moxibustion needle therapy for pain relief. It has a special efficacy for conditions such as cold syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis, neck, shoulder, waist, and leg pain, especially stubborn rheumatic diseases. However, in clinical applications, moxibustion needles are not only effective for pain; they also have various other functions:
One
Itching Relief
By unblocking the meridians and promoting the flow of qi, moxibustion needles can dispel wind and relieve itching. Moxibustion needles not only relieve pain but also have a good effect on itching. They can treat various skin diseases where itching is the primary symptom. Therefore, for conditions like neurodermatitis and psoriasis, moxibustion needles have shown good efficacy.
Two
Numbness Relief
Moxibustion needles promote yang and reach the collaterals, assisting in the transformation of qi, thus relieving numbness.
Three
Spasm Relief
By promoting the flow of qi and blood and adjusting the meridians, moxibustion needles can relieve spasms. They are suitable for facial muscle spasms and late-stage spasms due to nerve paralysis.
Four
Diarrhea Relief
By strengthening the spleen and promoting dampness, coordinating the stomach and intestines, and warming the middle, moxibustion needles can stop diarrhea. They are particularly effective for chronic enteritis leading to bloating and diarrhea.
Five
Cough and Asthma Relief
All symptoms caused by cold, such as cough and wheezing, can be treated with moxibustion needles to warm the lungs and unblock the lung meridians.
Six
Clearing Heat and Detoxifying
By expelling heat outward, moxibustion needles can be used for heat syndromes. Conditions such as shingles, erysipelas, mumps, and mastitis, which are characterized by redness, swelling, and pain, can be effectively treated with moxibustion needles.
Seven
Removing Stasis and Corruption, Promoting Drainage and Suppuration
By promoting tissue regeneration and healing, moxibustion needles can accelerate skin renewal. They have immediate effects on certain skin diseases and stasis-related conditions, such as thrombophlebitis, acne, boils, hemorrhoids, and elephantiasis.
Eight
Dispersing Nodules and Masses
By assisting yang and transforming qi, moxibustion needles can soften and disperse hard masses, invigorate blood circulation, and eliminate lymphadenopathy and fibroids. Conditions such as hemangiomas, lipomas, fibromas, warts, and moles, as well as ganglion cysts, uterine fibroids, ovarian cysts, and post-stroke sequelae can all be treated with moxibustion needles.
Nine
Strengthening Yang and Nourishing Deficiency, Lifting Yang and Supporting the Body
Moxibustion needles can treat diseases caused by insufficient middle qi and a cold constitution, such as uterine prolapse, weakness in the lower back and knees, impotence, nocturnal emissions, dysmenorrhea, and irregular menstruation. They are also effective for conditions like gastric prolapse caused by spleen and stomach deficiency.
Contributed by:Liang Qijie, TCM Department Edited by:Qu Yingtao