Moxibustion may be used on it's own for a therapeutic
relief of pain and discomfort,
or in combination with acupuncture.
What is mugwort?
Mugwort is the common name for the plant Artemisia vulgaris. It’s origins are from Eastern Europe and Western Asia but it is now found in many parts of the world and can be considered a common weed.
According to the oldest written records in Chinese history, moxibustion predates the use of acupuncture in Ancient China. The Mawangdui Medical Manuscripts, which were found at the Mawangdui tombs in the Hunan province of China, are thought to represent the extent of medicine up until that time. There is mention of many health practices of which moxibustion is one but no mention of acupuncture. The three manuscripts located on moxibustion are titled as follows Moxibustion classic of the Eleven Meridians on the Arms and Legs; Moxibustion Classic of the Eleven Yin and Yang Meridians; and Treatment of Fifty-two Diseases.
How is mugwort moxibustion of benefit?
Mugwort therapy has been used traditionally to achieve health in the body by improving circulation to prevent disease and maintain health by benefiting the flow of qi and blood in the vessels.
How is moxa used in a treatment?
The practitioners at Ultra Health Therapies use mugwort in a non-scarring direct method.
This means that it can be used in a box thats sits on the body and emits radiant heat for relatively large areas such as the stomach and areas of the back. It can also be rolled and placed on to the acupuncture needles themselves. This method is often used on the back. It gives a very calming radiant heat often described by clients as if they have their back to a warm fireplace. And it can be used directly on the skin where the heat is removed within millimeters from the skin surface acting like a sting. The method used for you, the client, would be determined by the practitioner on evaluating the best for you body’s constitutional energy.
What does it treat?
Moxibustion has a wide application. It may be useful in assisting the relief of the following common complaints:
- pain relief of arthritic and restricted joint movements
- non-invasive method to assist in the reversal of a breech positioned baby
- prevention and symptom control for a cold or fever
- improved immune and digestive functions
- heel pain
- back, neck & shoulder pain
- breast tenderness
- benefits fertility and libido in men and women
- relief of PMS
What should i do after a moxibustion treatment?
Rest. The best you can do to keep the treatment working at its best is to rest for up to four hours after a moxibustion treatment.
This is encouraged due to the deep nature of the treatment. It is also not recommended to have a hot bath the same day following a moxa treatment as it will counteract the treatment effects.
Therefore you are recommended to have an appointment near the end of your busy day so you can comfortably rest and recover over night.
Do I book in for just a moxa treatment?
It is not necessary as moxa is combined with acupuncture treatments to give the best results. However, there are treatments regimes available for whole body wellness just using moxibustion techniques. These treatment regimes are practiced in Japan as these practitioners use moxa only to treat the body.