Moxibustion is a therapy that involves burning mugwort leaves, which is a small, spongy herb believed to enhance healing with acupuncture. These leaves are burnt near the skin’s surface with a stick used to apply heat.
Moxibustion is derived from Chinese medicine, believed to increase the circulation of the Qi, which can help your body deal with numerous issues like digestion and chronic pain. Moreover, its primary purposes are strengthening the blood, stimulating Qi or energy flow and maintaining good health.
Main Uses of Moxibustion
Practitioners of alternative health claim that the heat generated through moxibustion helps increase energy flow in the body. That happens through some pathways known as the meridians. Moreover, traditional Chinese medicine considers energy stimulation essential for your body to achieve optimal health and wellness.
Moxibustion is created on the belief that blockages in the energy flow can lead to physical and mental health problems. Overall, it treats back pain, headaches, arthritis, migraines, ulcers, infertility, muscle stiffness, menstrual cramps, fatigue, tendonitis, digestive problems and cancer.
The Benefits of Moxibustion
Studies establish a link between moxibustion and its therapeutic health benefits. Moreover, these studies also aim to determine the safety and effectiveness of moxibustion in treating different health conditions.
One study, in particular, found moxibustion to be good therapy for chronic kidney disease. Researchers found that it is effective for reducing serum creatinine, which is responsible for poor kidney function when taken in high doses.
1. Hot Flashes
A study involving 51 women in their postmenopausal stages established the effect of moxibustion on hot flashes. Researchers found that undergoing 14 sessions of moxibustion helped lower the severity and frequency of hot flashes.
2. Breech Birth
Moxibustion is considered to be a safe alternative to help with breech presentation. That is a condition where the baby is positioned feet first in the birth channel, which makes for a difficult delivery.
While studies could not establish a link between moxibustion and its effectiveness in helping this condition, researchers concluded that further studies are needed before recommending women with a breech birth to try moxibustion.
Still, reports showed that moxibustion could significantly lower the need for medical procedures used to correct the presentation. It’s best to have the therapy carried out by professionals for the best outcome.
Hospitals have midwives and obstetricians who are trained in moxibustion and acupuncture. Plus, acupuncture practitioners must also be licensed before they can carry out this procedure.
Conclusion
Moxibustion has many promising benefits. This therapy can do wonders for the body as soon as it’s applied to the treatment site. You might feel an instant effect of redding and heat on your skin during the procedure.
At Ford Acupuncture, we are here to help you achieve and maintain your optimal health state using techniques like Chinese herbal medicine, massage, cupping, moxibustion and acupuncture in the Sunshine Coast. We believe in living pain-free, which is why we offer our services to treat the underlying cause of your pain and not just the symptoms. Get in touch with us and be pain-free today!