Moxibustion Therapy

Moxibustion is a form of heat therapy that will warm you from the inside out.

Moxibustion uses an herb called ai ye (aka artemisia vulgaris / mugwort), commonly referred to as moxa. It's very tonifying, relaxing, and this little fluff of herb packs a punch when it comes to moving qi and blood in the body!

There are several ways I use moxa:

• The "stick" is a roll of prepackaged moxa you can buy from most Chinese herbal stores. Your acupuncturist may prescribe this kind of moxa for at-home use on certain acupuncture points.
• Rice moxa is hand rolled by your practitioner during treatment. I use burn cream to place these on the body and light them with incense to stimulate a very specific acupuncture point. Imagine moxa rolled into the size of a grain of rice standing on one tip. I extinguish any heat before it reaches your body. You may feel a small prick of heat, but no skin is actually burned! I'm not a savage.
• Warm needle technique places marble-sized balls of moxa onto acupuncture needles so the needle can warm the acupuncture point and muscles deeply.
• Cones of moxa are sometimes placed on ginger along the abdomen or back to warm large areas.
• Moxa boxes have mesh inserts to keep the moxa burning on top, away from the body and transfer heat to the tissues below. These smoke like crazy! They are best used at home or with very good ventilation.

Moxa transmits infrared wavelength light which can permeate deep into muscle tissue and promote healing.

Moxa can help:

• pain that is aggravated by cold or dampness
• menstrual cramps
• energetically ground yourself
• boost immunity at certain acupuncture points
• invigorate meridians
• activate blood circulation tight or injured tissue

You should let me know if:

• you have asthma or allergies to smoke
• you have an aversion to the smell

Let's get started!

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