Moxibustion and Acupuncture
What is Moxibustion?
Moxibustion is the burning of a herb, moxa, or Chinese Mugwort, on or close to the skin to warm up acupuncture points. This warming effect can create a more nourishing and dynamic treatment.
Moxa can be seen in treatments where there is pain and inflammation, as well as a common therapy to support energy, digestion, and menstrual health. It is famously integrated into our NHS, and advised by midwives, for its use helping to turn a breech baby. Moxa quickly becomes everyone’s favourite part of the treatment, due to its comforting and calming warmth.
Moxibustion at A D Acupuncture
Moxibustion is a key part of acupuncture and used by many practitioners. However our founder, Alice, has published research into the therapy in the Journal of Chinese Medicine, the largest English-speaking Chinese medical journal in the world. Due to this work Alice has an incredible knowledge of this therapy and how it can bring about change for you and your health.
Alice’s literary review consolidated the existing research in this area, to develop a deeper understanding of how moxa brings about its amazing therapeutic benefits. Looking into mechanisms of moxa as a heat therapy, an infra-red therapy as well as the chemical compounds within the herb, this research showed the complex multilayered way that moxa works.
““When moxibustion is investigated through modern scientific research, the mechanisms supporting its therapeutic benefits show synergy with the traditional Chinese medical understanding.””
If you want to take a look at this research in full, you can do so here.
When do we use Moxa?
Here in Brockley, moxa is being used for a huge array of reasons and patients love it!
Commonly we support patients with moxa in cases of:
Chronic inflammation and pain
Breach Presentation - see this blog post to learn more!
Immune Support
Nervous System Regulation
Digestive issues
Neurological conditions
Menstrual irregularities and symptoms
To find out how Moxibustion could form a part of your acupuncture appointments, let’s chat!