Moxa Pole Instructions

• Light the tip of the "Moxa" pole with a candle or a Cigar lighter (This may take a minute or two since "Moxa" is very condensing)
• Drag the tip across the side of the ashtray frequently, forming a point at the end. (This prevents you from burning your skin with a dropped ash.)
• Hold the tip about 1 inch from your body and move it in a circular motion, covering about a 1 and 1/2 inch area.o Do not touch your skin with it. Do not let your skin get too hot by taking farther and bringing it closer whenneeded.
• Hold the Moxa for about 10 minutes or until the area feels comfortably warm. This should feel very soothing!!
• To extinguish, either: wrap the tip with aluminum foil, be careful not to burn yourself.  Put the tip into a container of sand.  Hold the tip under water.

For more details please check here

By: Deanna Settlemier, LAc

What is "Moxa"? The ancient healing technique of Moxibustion is approximately 3,000 years old. It plays an important role in the Traditional medical systems of Asia. Moxibustion uses "moxa" which is made from mugwort herb (artemisia vulgaris) and heat to warm regions of the body and acupuncture points. This combination of herb and heat stimulates circulation, encourages the smooth flow of blood and Qi, protects against cold constitution and dampness, and maintains general health. Clinically, I find it to be very effective for most pain conditions, gastrointestinal disorders, and OB/GYN issues (read: smooth pregnancy... all of the "Moxa-babies" I've treated have been very happy and mellow, and were fairly easy on their mommies in delivery!).

As I was researching moxa articles, I found a recent clinical report that was published in the World Journal of Acupuncture from ChengZhong Hospital that showed 100% effective rate of acupuncture and moxabustion on primary dysmenorrhea (menstrual cramps). 66 patients were treated over 3 menstrual cycles with acupuncture/moxa and most were effectively cured within 2-6 treatments.

Moxabustion is also very effective for fatigue, anxiety, immune enhancement, and sinus congestion; with so many people suffering from sinus issues while living here in the cold and damp Northwest, moxa is an extremely valuable and appreciated method of treatment, keeping people from having to take antibiotics or over-the-counter medications for sinusitis and/or seasonal allergies. Most people also love how it feels to have their points and channels warmed and invigorated with moxa heat.

There are two basic types of Moxibustion techniques. One is the Direct method, which requires a small or large cone shaped amount of moxa placed directly on the skin on top of an acupuncture point. Then it is burned on ointment or a slice of ginger and removed when the patient feels it is hot.

The second type is the Indirect method, which is what I use, that is more closely based in the Classical Chinese tradition. This technique has the same healing qualities as Direct, but there is little to no risk of pain or burning. The Indirect moxibustion techniques I use include the use of "moxa boxes" – little wooden temples that sit above specific areas of the body – and "stick moxa", a cigar-shaped stick of moxa held near specific acu-points. Both techniques are great ways of warming and tonifying the points and channels, stimulating qi and blood flow, and dispersing cold and dampness.

So now when you step into the clinic and wonder, "what's that wonderful, earthy smell?"... it's Moxa!

By: Soheila Beberness, L.Ac.

Many people have heard or experienced the effectiveness of Traditional Chinese Medicine as an alternative medicine. This ancient style of medicine which includes acupuncture, moxibustion, Chinese herbs, and dietary modification is over 3,000 years old.

What is more exciting to learn is that this great medicine is not only a valuable asset for adults but for children as well. The TCM modalities used on children includes tui na (Chinese massage), Sho ni Shin (Japanese Pediatric acupuncture), Chinese herbs, nutritional therapy, and acupuncture.  In TCM, children are not treated like adults. This is due to the fact that children's bodies are in constant mode of growing and developing. So, there is a continuous change going on with children unlike adults where they are already fully developed. 

What happens during a treatment session with a TCM practitioner? The first thing that takes place is a full intake about the child's health condition. The practitioner then starts to make the child comfortable by talking and playing in order to build trust. The goal of course is to minimize the child's, as well the parent's, anxiety during the first treatment. Other areas of observation are child's behavior, mannerism, energy, voice, pulse and tongue. The practitioner also feels the body gently to sense the skin of excess or deficiency of heat/cold/clammy feeling. In younger children the vein at the base of the index finger is examined, this tells whether the disease is hot or cold, an excess or deficiency, how far it has progressed, and how dangerous the condition is.

What is involved in the treatment and how long will it take? The treatment plan depends on each individual's condition and age. Generally for children under age of 7-8, Shoni shin method is used. This procedure takes about 10 minutes and children usually love the calmness that it brings them. For older children, acupuncture needles are used. The needles are about hair thin and the sensation of insertion has been compared to a mosquito bite. Again, depending on the age and condition of the child, the needles are either inserted and taken out immediately or left in the body for 20 minutes as the patient rests. Then the nutritional therapy is discussed as needed. 

How many times are treatments needed? It really depends on the child's condition (acute or chronic) and how his/her body reactsto the treatments. However, children generally respond quickly to TCM treatments. 

What are the main causes of disease in children? As it was mentioned earlier Chinese medicine sees children's bodies to be immature, and therefore inherently weak, which makes them susceptible to disease. There are three general areas that disease is seen in children, the Lungs, the Spleen (digestion) and the Liver. This explains the recurrent upper respiratory tract complains such as colds and coughs, allergies and asthma, as well as digestive disorders like colic, vomiting, diarrhea, indigestion, and stomach ache.

Traditional Chinese Medicine provides great insight into many health problems not dealt with completely or satisfactorily by modern Western medicine. It is empowering in that it gives simple reasons for why we get sick and tells us what we can do to prevent andtreat those diseases. TCM is an excellent choice for keeping young children healthy as they grow into their adulthood.