Indirect Moxibustion

Indirect Moxibustion with Moxa Sticks

Five year five chen moxa sticks in shrink wrap packaging

The 'moxa stick' is the most common form of indirect moxibustion. The benefit of indirect moxibustion is that since the stick is held by hand closely to the treatment location, there is little chance of burning the patient and there is just enough transfer of heat. Because it can be easily held and does not involve having to be manually picked and packed like loose moxa, we consider it the best form of Moxa. Here the dried mugwort is rolled up tightly and wrapped in paper forming a cigar-like stick. The moxa stick can be held in one place and rotated in circles in a motion over the area of an acupuncture point. The practitioner places a finger next to the point being stimulated to maintain a comfortable level of heat and to guard the patient from the unlikely risk of burn.

The moxa stick is held approximately a half inch from the skin, although this may vary from patient to patient. Moxa sticks can be used on their own to stimulate an acupuncture point or can be used on a point where an acupuncture needle has been inserted. This simultaneous use of moxibustion along with the acupuncture needle intensifies the therapeutic benefit of the given acupuncture point.

Even if you won't be performing acupuncture using needles, moxa warms the meridians and invigorates qi just by placing the moxa near the acupuncture point.

If you're afraid of needles or would like to practice acupuncture at home, Moxa is for you.

Fun test for starters - the next time you wake up with a sore neck, try burning a moxa stick and applying it at the affected area for pain relief.

Sticks come in two forms: Smokeless and Pure Moxa

This is the most famous and well known packaging for smokeless moxa sticks.

Some people prefer non-smokeless version known as "pure moxa". What's the difference besides the smoke? The original version used in traditional Chinese medicine releases a strong odor and smoke that is almost unbearable for Western medicine. In fact, the smoke is so strong that sometimes it may trip the fire alarm.

This is why most Moxa that is sold in the United States and Europe are already toned down versions of Moxa sticks. That said, some people even prefer the smokeless version.

The smoke from a burning Moxa however, is essential to the treatment and effectiveness of Moxa. This is why doctors generally recommend the non-smokeless version of Moxa sticks. When choosing either smokeless or non-smokeless versions, remember to ask yourself can you and your patients accept the odor? Remember, Moxa causes a lingering odor that may or may not be of nuance to you.

When possible, choose the non-smokeless version for best treatment results.

Use Moxa Candles for Multi-point Indirect Moxibustion

It can be a hassle to hold each moxa stick by hand during treatment and it's an even bigger problem if you want to apply treatment to multiple locations. Thankfully we have moxa candles to do the job. These candles are pure Moxa Sticks that have been pre-cut and come with adhesive bases so that you can easily affix them to the desired acupuncture points. Because the moxa candles don't fall off, the patient can move about as they wish. You can read more into moxa candles.