What is Moxibustion?
This is a form of heat therapy which is applied to specific areas of the body, often acupuncture points, in order to warm the area to ease pain and restore balanced function in the body. Moxa is made from aromatic leaves of the Yomogi plant which are prepared in various ways for therapeutic purpose.
It is often used to help increase circulation and improve immunity and is commonly used to help ease tight muscles and strengthen an acupuncture treatment. It has also been used with great effect to turn breech babies during the final term of pregnancy. A study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association in 1998 found that up to 75% of women suffering from breech babies before childbirth had fetuses that rotated to normal position after receiving moxibustion on the appropriate points.
The non-thermal effects of moxibustion on the human body is thought to be via the production of electromagnetic waves (infrared radiation) which improve cell and enzyme activity.
There are several types of moxibustion used at ben&biao and the practitioner will pick the most appropriate one for your condition. With indirect moxibustion a warm sensation is felt in the area, while in the case of direct moxibustion the sensation may be more intense. However, there is only a slight risk of burning as you are never left alone with direct moxibustion.