Illustrated Chinese Moxibustion Techniques and Methods. Xiaorong Chang
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2. The Concept of Moxatherapy
Moxatherapy is a form of external therapy making use of moxa as the primary material to heat, burn and/or fumigate either acupoints or specific areas on the surface of the body. Utilizing the functions of the channels and acupoints, moxa warms and opens the channels and network vessels, assists right qi, expels pathogenic qi and regulates the body’s physiological functions; thus treating disease and cultivating health. Moxatherapy has been valued by physicians throughout the ages for its simplicity, inexpensiveness, efficacy and lack of side effects. This therapeutic method has been constantly developing and improving, and is now a comprehensive system of therapy that includes basic theory, knowledge and skills – the field of Moxatherapy.
3. The Basics of Moxatherapy
The use of moxatherapy in the treatment of disease has a long history. What started as the simple use of moxa later evolved into numerous and diverse methods. Until recently, the most prominent method used the herb Ai Ye (moxa; mugwort; Artemisiae Argyi Folium) as the primary combustible material and is, this, known as moxibustion. Methods using materials other than Ai Ye are referred to as non-moxa moxibustion. There is a further type of moxatherapy called ‘special’ moxibustion. So, presently there are three general methods: moxibustion, non-moxa moxibustion and ‘special’ moxibustion. Moxibustion includes moxa cones, moxa poles, warm needle moxa and gentle moxa. Non-moxa moxibustion includes non-burning medicinal moxa and burning medicinal moxa. ‘Special’ moxibustion includes medicinal steam moxa, freezing moxa, and Zhuang-style thread moxa.
4. Specific Characteristics and Range of Application of Moxatherapy
4.1 SPECIFIC CHARACTERISTICS
As moxatherapy is a part of the general field of traditional Chinese medicine, it shares with other treatment methods the overall function of both treating and preventing disease. Concurrently, as a special part of Chinese medicine, it also has its own unique characteristics, which can be summarized by the points below.
Wide Range of Application
Moxatherapy is applicable to patterns in the majority of medical departments. Common diseases in the internal, paediatric, gynaecology, andrology, dermatology, surgical, traumatology, oculopathy, and ENT departments can all be treated using this method. In addition to treating disease, moxatherapy can also promote right qi, strengthen the body’s immune system, and bring about improvements in general health and disease prevention.
Experiential Results
Extensive clinical experience shows that moxatherapy provides rapid and strong clinical results, and can also make up for shortcomings in acupuncture and herbal therapy treatments. When used in the treatment of diseases within its range of application, whether cosmetic or health-related, moxatherapy achieves good results, sometimes with only one treatment. With patience and persistence, even chronic long-term diseases can be treated effectively.
Convenient and Timely
Moxatherapy is not limited to use in the hospital, as it can, to some extent, be conducted by patients in their own home. This allows for early treatment, which is considered most valuable by the principles of Chinese medicine. The use of moxa poles is very convenient; it is only necessary to indicate the area and time of application for the patient to perform effective treatment themselves, particularly as the temperature can be controlled easily. For patients with chronic gastroenteritis and neurasthenia, for example, daily visits to the hospital may be inconvenient, however, after learning how to apply moxa themselves, patients can carry out regular treatments in the comfort of their own home, achieving even better results.
Simple and Easy to Learn
Moxatherapy has the advantage of being simple, easy to learn and relatively straight forward to apply. For these reasons, para-professionals may be able to learn and apply it with excellent results.
Safe and Economical
Moxatherapy does not have any known side effects and is considered to be even safer than acupuncture. Complications such as stuck, bent or broken needles or needle-related fainting will not occur. The Scarring Moxa technique causes a moxa sore; however, this sore is a desired result as it increases the treatment efficacy and the treatment method is, nonetheless, safe and reliable.* Besides the safety aspect of moxatherapy, it is also economical. The only material required is the herb Ai Ye (mugwort; moxa; Artemisiae Argyi Folium), which grows widely and is easy to harvest. After it is processed into moxa cones and poles, it only needs to be ignited to commence treatment.
4.2 RANGE OF APPLICATION
Moxatherapy is indicated in the case of cold patterns, heat patterns, repletion and deficiency. Though presently it is used most often in the case of cold patterns, chronic diseases and all long-term yang-deficiency conditions, it is also applicable for a few repletion-heat patterns. Irrespective of the presenting disease it is being used for, medical providers must always carefully examine the disease-state and choose the most appropriate acupoints and moxa method. In this way a multitude of different diseases can be treated effectively with moxatherapy. Generally speaking, the indications for moxatherapy are very broad. To summarize, the indications are as follows:
•Externally contracted external patterns.
•Cough and phlegm panting.
•Expectoration of blood and nosebleed.
•Spleen and kidney deficiency.
•Qi stagnation and abdominal masses.
•Wind-cold-damp impediment.
•Upper body exuberance and lower body vacuity.
•Reverse-flow qi desertion pattern (loss of consciousness with extreme cold of the extremities).
•Gynaecological disease.
•Stubborn lichen swellings and sores.
•Scrofula, swelling and tumours.
5. Contraindications and Cautions
5.1 CONTRAINDICATIONS
Contraindicated Areas
In ancient texts there are many recordings of areas contraindicated for the application of moxatherapy. In the work Zhen Jiu Jia Yi Jing (The Systematized Canon of Acupuncture and Moxibustion), 24 acupoints are listed; in Yi Zong Jin Jian (The Golden Mirror of Medicine) there are 47 contraindicated acupoints; in Zhen Jiu Da Cheng there are 45 points; and 49 are recorded in Zhen Jiu Ji Cheng such as Nao Hu (DU-17), Feng Fu (DU-16), Ya Men (DU-15), Wu Chu (BL-5), Cheng Guang (BL-6), Ji Zhong (DU-6), Xin Shu (BL-15), Bai Huan Shu (BL-30), Si Zhu Kong (TH-23), Cheng Qi (ST-1), Ren Ying (ST-9), Ru Zhong (ST-17), Yuan Ye (GB-22), Jiu Wei (RN-15), Jing Qu (LU-8), Tian Fu (LU-3), Yin Shi (ST-33), Fu Tu (ST-32), Di Wu Hui (GB-42), Xi Yang Guan (GB-33), Ying Xiang (CO-20), Di Cang (ST-4), Shao Fu (HT-8), Zu Tong Gu (BL-66), Tian Zhu (BL-10), Tou Lin Qi (GB-15), Tou Wei (ST-8), Cuan Zhu (BL-2), Jing Ming (BL-1), Xia Guan (ST-7), Zhou Rong (SP-20), Fu Ai (SP-16), Jian Zhen (SI-9), Yang Chi (TH-4), Zhong Chong (PC-9), Shao Shang (LU-11), Yu Ji (LU-10), Yin Bai (SP-1), Lou Gu (SP-7), Yin Ling Quan (SP-9), Tiao Kou (ST-38), Du Bi (ST-35), Shan Mai (BL-62), Wei Zhong (BL-40), Su Liao (DU-25), Ju Liao (GB-29), He Liao (LI-19), Quan Liao (SI-18), Tian You (TH-16), Bi Guan (ST-31), Cheng Fu (BL-36). The majority of these points are distributed on the head or face, near important organs and blood vessels, and in areas where the skin is thin or where sinews and muscles are concentrated. For these reasons, moxa of these areas should be avoided, especially when using the Scarring Moxa method.* Moxa should not be applied to the lower abdomen, lumbar region, breasts and genitals of pregnant women. These contraindications have developed from the valuable experience and collective wisdom of the ancients and should not be overlooked.
Contraindicated Disease Patterns
As moxibustion provides heat stimulation and heat can injure yin, patterns involving