A Brief Introduction to Moxibustion

A Brief Introduction to Moxibustion

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Have you ever heard of moxibustion?

You may have seen it before, or even experienced it during a visit to your acupuncturist. Moxibustion is a form of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) therapy that has been used to treat various health conditions for more than 2500 years. Let’s take a look at what exactly moxibustion is and how it’s used in traditional Chinese medicine.

What Is Moxibustion?

Mugwort, or artemisia, is a flowering species belonging to the daisy family. Moxibustion is an external treatment applied directly onto the surface of an acupoint to warm certain points on the body.

It involves the burning of moxa wool, which is made from dried mugwort plant material, until it produces heat that penetrates into the skin. The heat stimulates the flow of qi (energy) and blood throughout the body, which helps improve circulation and promote healing.

It can also help reduce pain and inflammation.

What Conditions Can Moxibustion Treat?

Moxibustion has the ability to balance and regulate qi, blood and yang energy; expel cold; warm yang energy; and protect against illnesses, helping to ensure overall health and well-being.

The most common usage of a moxa treatment in to turn a breech baby. In this case, indirect moxa is used on a point on the little toe every day for 10 days to turn a baby. It is effective and used by midwives and hospitals in Australia!

Moxibustion can also be used to treat a variety of conditions, including menstrual pain, arthritis in the joints of the fingers, chronic coughs due to cold accumulation in the lungs, digestive problems such as constipation and diarrhea, and bleeding that will not stop.

How Is Moxibustion Applied?

Moxibustion is a therapeutic technique that involves the application of heat to specific acupuncture points on the body. It can be applied in various ways, including holding the lit end of a roll of dried mugwort near but not touching the skin, or placing moxa-infused wool on top of an acupuncture needle or close to the skin and letting it smolder for 10-15 minutes before removing it.

The frequency of treatment depends on the condition being treated – for some conditions it may be administered daily or twice weekly over a series of weeks or months.

Who should perform Moxabustion treatment?

It is important to only undergo moxibustion therapy with the assistance of a certified and qualified professional. If you receive acupuncture treatments, you can consult with your acupuncturist on whether they offer moxibustion services or can refer you to another trusted practitioner.

Moxibustion is a safe and effective form of traditional Chinese medicine therapy that has been used for centuries to treat various ailments ranging from menstrual pain to digestive issues. It works by stimulating qi flow throughout the body and promoting better circulation and improved overall health.

It remains one of our very favorite modalities due to its calming and warming properties, and is a fabulous way to level-up an acupuncture treatment!

Schedule a 15 minute video consultation to learn more about how our team of acupuncturists can support you!

Anna Rudel
San Jose Acupuncturist
408.279.9001
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Benefits of Acupuncture for Morning Sickness

Benefits of Acupuncture for Morning Sickness

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For pregnant women, morning sickness can be a debilitating condition.

While it may seem like an unavoidable part of pregnancy, there are ways to lessen the effects of nausea and vomiting. Let’s take a look at how acupuncture can be used to reduce pregnancy nausea in expectant mothers.

How Does Acupuncture Help with Pregnancy Nausea?

  • Acupuncture targets specific points on the body that reduce nausea.
  • Acupuncture promotes relaxation
  • Acupuncture can help reduce anxiety

Research suggests that acupuncture treatments can help improve symptoms of nausea in pregnant women, including vomiting and queasiness.

Acupuncture is also thought to be effective at helping balance out hormones that may be causing nausea or upset stomach. By stimulating certain points on the body (known as acupoints), this ancient medical practice can help reduce stress levels and increase endorphin levels in order to lessen feelings of nausea and vomiting associated with pregnancy.

A number of studies have suggested that acupuncture is effective in reducing the symptoms of morning sickness in pregnant women.

One study in 2010, conducted at Northwestern University and published in the journal Obstetrics & Gynecology found that acupuncture treatments reduced reported symptoms of nausea, vomiting and queasiness. Additionally, a 2008 study from the National Institutes of Health examined the effects of acupuncture on pregnant women with severe nausea and vomiting and found positive results. Finally, a 2007 study from China’s Fudan University found that combining acupuncture with other treatments, such as ginger root extract or acupressure, was more effective than drug therapy alone for managing morning sickness.

In addition to its physical benefits, many women find that acupuncture helps them cope better with their symptoms emotionally as well. Many report feeling more relaxed and less anxious after their treatments—which can help them feel more comfortable throughout their pregnancies and make it easier for them to manage any discomfort they may experience due to morning sickness or other issues related to pregnancy.

It is important to use a licensed acupuncturist who is experienced in treating pregnant women.

Pregnancy nausea can be a difficult thing for many women to cope with, but fortunately there are methods available for alleviating its effects—including acupuncture. Many of our patients have experienced relief of nausea or queasiness, so if you’re experiencing uncomfortable symptoms during your pregnancy, consider trying out some soothing sessions of acupuncture.

Ginger tea is a simple and effective home remedy for morning sickness that many pregnant women swear by. It is safe, inexpensive and easy to make—simply steep some freshly grated ginger root in hot water, strain it, and add a little honey or lemon if desired.

Ginger tea can help soothe nausea and vomiting by calming the stomach and improving digestion. Additionally, it has anti-inflammatory properties that can reduce inflammation of the digestive tract which can be caused by morning sickness. Interestingly, research shows that ginger helps not just with morning sickness but also other gastrointestinal disorders like IBS. Not everyone responds to ginger in the same way, but for many women it has been an effective natural treatment for morning sickness that can be made at home.

Ginger Tea Recipe

To make ginger tea for morning sickness, you will need:

  • 1 cup of boiling water
  • 1 teaspoon of freshly grated ginger root
  • 1 tablespoon of honey (optional)

Instructions:

  • Put the grated ginger root into a teacup.
  • Pour the boiling water over the ginger and let it steep for five minutes.
  • Add honey to taste (optional).
  • Stir and enjoy your ginger tea!

Anna Rudel
San Jose Acupuncturist
408.279.9001
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Using Acupuncture and Moxa to Turn Breech Babies

Using Acupuncture and Moxa to Turn Breech Babies

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If a baby is in breech position in the United States, there is a high chance the mother may require a birth via cesarean section.

A breech position means that the baby is in any position other than head down at the end of pregnancy. This occurs with (about 3-4% of babies), which may limit the options a mother has to give birth.

Women who are told that their baby is in this position are often advised that a cesarean section is the best option for delivery.

However, if women are not prepared for this intervention, they may look to try something else before committing to a C-section.

Acupuncture texts often recommend moxibustion for breech presentation.

Moxibustion (Moxa) is an herb (Artemesia vulgaria) that has been compressed into a cigar-like stick. The moxa stick is then burned close to the outer corner of the little toe, stimulating the acupuncture point known as UB 67.

The exact mechanism of action is not known.

However, it has been suggested that it stimulates the production of prostaglandins and estrogen, which encourages the lining of the uterus to contract and stimulate fetal activity.

Seeking acupuncture care is a big decision for anyone, especially when you are pregnant.

At Lokahi Acupuncture, we want to support you in making the right choice for you and your family.

Here are some commonly asked questions:

How soon should I seek acupuncture and/or moxa?

Breech presentation is common before 28 weeks, and likelihood decreases as the pregnancy progresses. If your baby is bottom down at 32 weeks (7-15% of pregnancies), see your acupuncturist between 32-35 weeks.

Studies show that the quantity of moxa treatments you have is important to the outcome.

If your birth provider identifies a breech presentation at 35 weeks, then contact our office to discuss your case with an acupuncturist. We can walk you through your options so that you can decide the best course of action.

How often would I need treatment?

We usually recommend at least twice weekly for breech presentations. We also give our patients moxa homework between treatments since outcome is a function of the treatment duration and dosage.

It is also important to note that stress is often heightened at this time, and acupuncture can be very supportive in alleviating the symptoms associated with stress.

What is your approach at Lokahi Acupuncture?

Patients coming to us to help with breech presentations are usually experiencing additional symptoms such as stress, insomnia or backaches. Our approach focuses primarily on the breech, but also incorporates work on other presenting symptoms. If there is stress, we believe that working to mitigate that is instrumental in allowing the body to turn the fetus.

Is there anything else I can do?

Yes, there are plenty of things that can support you right now.

  • Check out Spinning Babies. This website is a fabulous resource. Use the positions and movements to help open up your body to allow for the movement of your baby.
  • Dance! Put on your favorite tunes and let the happy hormones course through your body. If your baby feels too low or heavy, then sit on a ball and move your hips to the music.
  • Swimming is another great movement that can support the body in making space for the baby to shift positions.
  • Consider chiropractic therapy. We can refer you to a fabulous practitioner who isspecifically trained in the Webster Technique in the Bay Area. Webster Technique is the specific chiropractic technique used to turn babies.
  • Contact us to set up a free consultation with one of our practitioners to learn about how we can help you during this time.

Anna Rudel
San Jose Acupuncturist
408.279.9001
Follow us on Instagram
Make an Appointment