Moxibustion methods Moxibustion methods Moxibustion is a therapy

Moxibustion methods

Moxibustion methods ¡ Moxibustion is a therapy used to treat and prevent diseases by applying burning moxa to stimulate the human body. The material used for moxibustion is mainly Chinese mugwort leaf which is fragrant and easy to be ignited. It is processed into mugwort wool for clinical use.

¡ Moxibustion with moxa cone ¡ Moxa cone is a cone-shaped mugwort wool, the size of which varies from the size of wheat grain to the size of a Chinese date (see Fig. 124). The measurement unit of moxibustion is called "Zhuang". The burning out of one moxa cone is called one Zhuang. The moxa cone is placed on the acupoint selected in performing moxibustion. Moxibustion with moxa cones is either direct or indirect, depending on whethere is something between the moxa cone and the skin.

¡ Direct moxibustion means that the moxa cone is placed directly on the acupeint and ignited. Prior to moxibustion, some garlic juice or vaseline can be applied to the site in order to increase the adhesion of the moxa cone to the skin. This type of moxibustion is either scarring or non-scarring according to the degree of burning over the skin.

¡ Non-scarring moxibustion: When 2/5 of a moxa cone is burnt, or when the patient feels a burning pain, the cone is replaced by a new one. The moxibustion continues until the local skin becomes reddish but without blisters. Usually each acupoint can be moxibusted for 3 - 7 cones without suppuration and scar formation. So this method of moxibustion is easy to be accepted by the patient and is usually used to treat asthenia-cold syndrome

¡ Scarring moxibustion: When the moxa cone completely burns out, it is replaced by a new one. This procedure continues until blisters are formed. About one week later after moxibustion, suppuration is formed at the local region. And about 5 - 6 weeks later, the wound heals automatically, the scab exfoliates and scar is formed. It is often used to treat certain chronic diseases, such as asthma and pulmonary tuberculosis.

¡ Indirect moxibustion ¡ The ignited moxa cone is isolated from the skin by some materials, such as ginger and garlic, in order to avoid burning the skin. A slice of fresh ginger or garlic about 0. 2 0. 3 cm thick is prepared, punched with holes and placed on the acupoint selected. On top of the ginger slice, a moxa cone is placed and ignited (see Fig. 125). After the moxa cone completely burns out, it is replaced by a new one. This procedure is repeated until the local skin turns reddish but without blisters formed. This method is always used to treat obstructive syndrome due to pathogenic wind-cold, abdominal pain and diarrhea due to cold.

¡ Moxibustion with moxa roll ¡ Moxa roll is prepared by wrapping mugwort wool (other herbal medicines may be mixed in it) with a piece of paper. It is cylinder-shaped, 1. 5 cm in diameter and 20 cm in length. Alighted moxa roll is pointed 3 cm to the region selected and moved upwards and downwards, to the left and right or around. The patient feels warm but no scorching. Usually each acupoint can be moxibusted for 5 - 7 minutes. This method can be used to treat many kinds of diseases and syndromes (see Fig. 126).

¡ Moxibustion with warmed needles ¡ Moxibustion with warmed needle is a method of acupuncture combined with moxibustion. During the retention of the needle, the needle handle is wrapped with some moxa or coated with one section of a moxa roll about 2 cm in length to be burned. The needle is withdrawn after the moxa completely burns out and the ash is cleared. Moxibustion with warmed needle can be used to treat various common diseases.

¡ Cautions ¡ Direct moxibustion is inadvisable to perform on the face, five sense organs, or the regions with large vessels. The abdominal region and lumbosacral region of the gravida should not be moxibusted. For the patients with numbness of limbs or bradyesthesia, moxibustion should be moderate lest scald be caused.

Cupping methods

¡ Cupping is a therapy in which a jar is attached to the skin surface to cause local congestion through the negative pressure created by heat produced by ignited material in the jar. There a great variety of jars, but the commonly used ones are bamboo jars, glass jars and pottery jars. The latter two are more powerful in suction.

¡ Manipulations ¡ A cotton ball with 95 % alcohol held by forceps is ignited, put into the cup, moved inside the cup for one circle and then taken out. When the burning cotton ball is taken out, the cup is immediately covered on the selected region. This method is called fire-flashing method (see Fig. 127). Or an ignited alcohol cotton ball or a piece of burning paper is thrown into the cup, the cup is immediately covered on the selected region. Usually the cup is sucked in place for about 10 minutes. For the withdrawal of the cup, the skin around the rim of the cup is pressed with the index finger to let air in, then the cup is removed slowly.

¡ In addition, cupping may be used together with acupuncture. Method: During the retention of the needle, a cup is sucked over the needling area. The needle is withdrawn when the cup is removed. Or a three-edged needle is used to prick for bloodletting and then a cup is sucked over the pricked area for strengthening the curative effect.

¡ Indications ¡ This method is often used to treat wind- dampness syndrome, obstructive syndrome, numbness of the limbs, acute sprain, common cold, cough, stomachache, abdominal pain, diarrhea, and some external diseases

¡ Cautions ¡ It should not be used in patients with high fever and convulsion, edema as well as areas with large blood vessels, allergic skin or skin ulcer and the abdominal and lumbosacral regions of the gravida. ¡ Cares should be taken to avoid burning or scorching the skin; retention of the cup should not be too long lest impairment of the skin be caused. ¡ If the local congestion is severe after the removal of the cup, it is forbidden to perform cupping on the region again.