Moxibustion

Direct moxibustion: A moxa cone of 0.5 cm diameter and 0.5 cm height is placed directly on the skin and lit at the tip. The heating of the skin underneath results in a 2nd - 3rd degree burn. Not practical in the western world. The milder form of direct moxibustion with early removal of the cone in case of formation of a heat erythema is feasible.

In the indirect form of moxibustion, a 1-2 mm thick slice of ginger or garlic with a diameter of 1-2 cm is placed under the moxa cone. When a feeling of heat is generated, the ginger slice is moved to the next point. Each point should be heated 5-7 times.

Moxibustion with moxa cigars or moxa cigarettes: Moxa sticks, rolled in thin paper, are rolled up to 0.5-1 cm closer to the skin until an erythema develops.

The burning of moxa wool at the free end of a special acupuncture needle leads to the heat being conducted deep down. Especially suitable points: Shu points, Gb30, meridians.

Moxibustion via electrical devices: infrared radiation.

Burns; secondary infections; hypertrophic scarring;

1. Stein DJ (2017) Massage Acupuncture, Moxibustion, and Other Forms of Complementary and Alternative Medicine in Inflammatory Bowel Disease.Gastroenterol Clin North Am 46:875-880.