As Acupuncturists, we have many different tools other than acupuncture needles in our toolbox! We often use cupping, herbal medicine, gua sha, and moxibustion in our treatments to address different health concerns our patients have.
Moxibustion is always a fun technique to try to explain to people. Some who are familiar with it just know it as the "smelly heat therapy that helped to flip my breech baby".
So what, exactly, is Moxibustion and what is it used for?
Moxibustion is a form of heat therapy where Chinese Mugwort is burned and used to stimulate different acupuncture points by gently warming the point. There are different forms of moxa and the form we most commonly use here at the clinic is smokeless moxa. It does not have as strong of an odor as some of the other forms and is easy to use in a clinical setting.
Here at the clinic, our providers use moxa to treat various conditions such as:
Breech fetal presentation
Fertility support
Irregular bleeding, especially irregular menstrual bleeding
Postpartum support
Pain that is better with heat application
Digestive issues characterized by loose, watery diarrhea and abdominal pain
Arthritic conditions, and much more!
Moxibustion can also be a great form of self-care to extend the benefits of your acupuncture treatments at home. We often teach our patients how to safely and appropriately apply moxibustion to the correct acupuncture points, and send them home with the tools required to use it at home to support their healing.
Curious if Moxibustion may be a beneficial tool in your care plan? Ask one of our providers about it at your next visit!
At EastWest Acupuncture,
We Got You!
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