Moxa Therapy or moxibustion is a form of heat therapy. The dried herbs wrapped as a stick is known as Moxa (Artemisia vulgaris) . A smouldering moxa stick is positioned very close to the surface of the skin. The purpose of this exercise is to warm and invigorate the flow of Qi in the body and dispel certain pathogenic influences. In this method, the moxa material is compressed into a stick or pole, looking not unlike an oversized cigar that can be lit and allowed to burn slowly with smoke but without flame, producing a unique form of very penetrating heat to the acupoint. When patient receive moxa therapy, they feel warmth on the area which gets treated. The warmth quickly radiates to acupuncture channels. This is a good sign as it indicates the arrival and flow of Qi and xue has been following well in the channels.
Normally, moxibustion is done in combination with Acupuncture. As an example, when the pain is associated with cold pathogens in arthritis, with the application of heat the patient feel better. Moxa therapy is useful in digestive problems and irregular elimination. It also helps in gynaecological and obstetrical conditions, including breech presentation in late term of pregnancy. Moxibustion also give protection against cold and flu strains.
Practitioners often do both acupuncture and moxibustion in the same session whenever it is appropriate with diagnosis and treatment strategy. Practitioners believe combining both therapies increase each other’s effectiveness.
At AcuAyur Holistic Health Centre your acupuncurist Dr. Kusum Lata is well trained in Moxa therapy. She uses Moxibustion in conjunction with acupuncture in a clinical setting. The burning smell during moxibustion process can be inconvenient to some patient. The smell stays around for a while, but the positive benefit of therapy outweighs little in-convenience.
To find out great benefits of Moxa therapy, call Dr Kusum Lata at AcuAyur Holistic Health Centre on 0398038718 or 0414822244 or write an email.