Clinical Applications of Moxibustion

Moxibustion can treat a wide array of health conditions. From chronic pain to digestive disorders, this therapy warms and nourishes the body, clears meridians, and relieves various types of pain by burning moxa wool at specific acupoints. Conditions such as chronic diarrhea, malaria, asthma, and impotence have shown improvement with moxibustion. Additionally, it has promise in managing chronic dysentery, enuresis, Bi syndrome, abdominal pain, stomach ache, and metrorrhagia.

Moxibustion also addresses medical conditions like inflammatory bowel disease and irritable bowel syndrome, expanding its clinical applications. Interestingly, studies have identified moxibustion as a potential therapeutic intervention for chronic kidney disease, noting a reduction in serum creatinine levels.

Moxibustion for Chronic Pain Relief

Moxibustion could revolutionize chronic pain management. It has been found effective for conditions such as knee osteoarthritis, back pain, neck pain, and migraines. In the realm of alternative medicine, moxibustion has shown greater effectiveness compared to acupuncture for these conditions. When used with pharmacotherapy, moxibustion has improved pain relief rate, reduced pain scores, provided quicker onset and prolonged duration of analgesia, and enhanced the quality of life for cancer patients.

Moxibustion Breech Treatment

In obstetrics, moxibustion is a noninvasive therapy used to encourage breech babies to move into a head-down position for delivery, potentially decreasing the necessity for cesarean delivery. The optimal period for this treatment is between 33 and 36 weeks of gestation. Some case studies suggest that moxibustion, when applied professionally and supplemented with daily home sessions, has a success rate of about 70% for correcting the position of breech babies. It is extremely important to consult with your healthcare provider prior to starting this type of treatment and to be monitored regularly.

Boosting Immune Function and Other Benefits

The versatility of moxibustion extends beyond pain relief and obstetric care. It is believed to boost the immune system, enhance circulation, promote healing, and prevent and treat infections by improving immune cell levels and modulating immune factors. Moxibustion has shown anti-inflammatory effects by modifying cytokine levels and can increase white blood cell count when applied to specific acupuncture points, such as ST 36.