hariQ acupuncture & herbs

What Is Moxa? – One Of The Most Common Questions

What is Moxa?
Acupuncture

Hi, it’s Satoru from hariQ acupuncture & herbs. In this blog post, I would like to explain one of the most common questions I get from my patients: What is Moxa? Officially known as moxibustion or “Okyu” in Japanese, Moxa is made from dried mugwort, a popular Chinese herb to treat various disorders and diseases including pain, inflammation, digestive psychological, gynecological issues. I hope this information helps you understand why we, as acupuncturists, frequently incorporate Moxa into our practice.

We understand this can be a lot of information and overwhelming: if you are looking for more support and answers, set up a free consultation with our Acupuncturist, Satoru Ozawa. Share your story, get your questions answered, and learn how you can set yourself up for tremendous success in achieving a healthy life.

What is Moxa?

What is moxa?

Moxa or Moxibustion is one of the oldest healing practices out there, and its roots might stretch all the way back to our ancient ancestors. Moxa is made from dried mugwort, also known as “Ai Ye” in Chinese herbs. This herbal remedy is commonly used in traditional Chinese medicine for its warming properties, which can help alleviate upset stomachs, relieve pain and inflammation, and reduce menstrual cramps, etc. 

Ai Ye

Ancient oriental doctors would gently apply Moxa to the skin and warm it over acupuncture points. This technique would help in increase skin temperature, promote better blood flow, and relax muscle tension in the area being treated.

One of the Research from China, looking at studies from 1954 to 2007, found that moxibustion can effectively treat up to 364 different conditions, including knee osteoarthritis, TMJ issues, soft tissue injuries, heel pain, asthma, urinary incontinence, herpes zoster, painful period, diarrhea, colitis, malposition of the baby, fatigue and even age-related concerns.

What are the benefits of Moxa?

1. Pain Relief

Moxibustion can help alleviate various types of pain, including joint pain, back pain, and menstrual cramps, by improving circulation and reducing inflammation.

2. Digestive Health

It can help in digestive issues such as bloating, constipation, and diarrhea by stimulating the digestive organs.

3. Boosting Immune Function

The heat from moxibustion is thought to help strengthen the immune system and enhance the body’s ability to fight off illness.

4. Improved Blood Circulation

Moxibustion may improve blood flow, which can facilitate healing and enhance overall bodily function.

5. Management of Chronic Conditions

It can be beneficial for managing chronic conditions such as arthritis, asthma, and other inflammatory disorders.

6. Stress and Anxiety Relief

The warming and soothing effects of moxibustion can help alleviate stress and promote relaxation.

7. Balancing Energy

In traditional Chinese medicine, moxibustion is believed to help balance the body’s energy (Qi), which can promote overall well-being.

8. Enhancing Fertility

Some practitioners suggest that moxibustion can also help with fertility issues by improving the health of the reproductive system.

2 Types of Moxa

There are several methods for using Moxa, including direct Moxa and indirect Moxa. Different types of indirect Moxa include Zi Yun Gao moxa, salt moxa, ginger moxa, and Moxa applied to acupuncture needles.

Direct Moxa

Direct moxa

Direct Moxa involves placing Moxa directly on the skin and applying heat to create a warming sensation. This method is the most effective but can be a bit harsher than other techniques. You will experience an instant tingling or hot sensation on the skin, which helps stimulate the brain to increase dopamine and dilate blood vessels, promoting healing in the surrounding area, especially if you are targeting pain.

The most common place to use direct Moxa is at the top of your head, specifically on the Du20 acupuncture point. This point is one of the most powerful for calming the mind, relieving stress, and enhancing mental clarity.

Indirect Moxa

Indirect moxa with Zi Yun Gao

Indirect Moxa involves placing a barrier between the burning Moxa and the skin, allowing you to feel warmth without the risk of burning skin. A common choice for this barrier is Zi Yun Gao, an ointment designed to prevent skin burns.

Indirect Moxa is particularly beneficial for conditions such as injuries, swelling, poor circulation, pain (including neuropathy), and frozen shoulder, where enhancing circulation is desired.

Moxa box
Moxa stick

Another indirect method is moxibustion on the needles. This technique focuses on muscles that feel tight and cold, such as in cases of chronic lower back pain. First, the needles are inserted, and then Moxa is placed on top of them. The heat travels through the needles, warming deeper areas like the muscles. This process helps to circulate blood and soften the muscle tissue, alleviating pain associated with lower back issues and sciatica.

Moxa on needles

Important Note

Please consult a healthcare provider before starting any new treatment, including acupuncture, especially if you have underlying health conditions.

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We'll be happy to answer your questions.

When Should I start Acupuncture?

As a general rule of thumb, the sooner one receives treatment, the better the prognosis. Some patients come to treatment months or even years after the initial onset, and these chronic cases are often more complex and take a much longer time to achieve results. Even then, recovery is not guaranteed.

How Often Should I Schedule Acupuncture Sessions?

Regarding the frequency of treatments, Acupuncture follows a simple rule. Acute and relatively new conditions are most effectively treated with more frequent visits, whereas chronic and old conditions can benefit from more widespread treatments. In other words, if you just had an onset of diseases or disorders, you will probably be prescribed 2-3 treatments per week in order to get the most effective results, and chronic cases will generally come in only once a week.

If you or a loved one want to learn more about acupuncture and whether it’s appropriate for your case, send us a message through our contact page. Thank you for taking the time to read this blog post. I appreciate your interest and hope to see you again for future posts.

We understand this can be a lot of information and overwhelming: if you are looking for more support and answers, set up a free consultation with our acupuncturist, Satoru Ozawa. Share your story, get your questions answered, and learn how you can set yourself up for tremendous success in achieving a healthy life.

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