When is the best time to do moxibustion?

Moxibustion has a long history. There are clear documents with written records about moxibustion dating back to more than 2,000 years BC. Moxibustion treatment was already widely used in my country during the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period. Moxibustion can warm the yang and replenish qi, and can also eliminate blood stasis and disperse nodules. During moxibustion, there is a certain limit on the stimulation time of each acupoint, and the time interval between each moxibustion is also limited. During moxibustion, there are also requirements on the degree of stimulation for the patient.

It is common to treat one acupuncture point with moxibustion for 5 to 30 minutes. A moxibustion session usually lasts from 30 minutes to 2 hours. The length of time for moxibustion on an acupoint is flexible, just like the amount of salt a chef puts in his hands. It is a matter of experience and a somewhat subtle and abstract feeling. If an acupoint produces an obvious moxibustion sensation, the moxibustion time for this acupoint will be extended, and it may even be the main point! Some special phenomena occur during moxibustion, such as ants crawling, heat conduction, diffusion, itching, pain (not the pain caused by the fire being too close), and even some spots and red lines on the skin surface. There are many forms of moxibustion sensation, the most important of which is the conduction and diffusion of heat.

When moxibustion is applied to the Yaoyangguan point, there is often a sense of heat penetrating through the lower back, with the heat gradually penetrating from the lower back to the lower abdomen, or wrapping around the lower back like a belt to the lower abdomen. For people with stomachache, moxibustion on Zhongwan or Zusanli may cause heat to be conducted along the moxibustion area to the stomach, making the entire stomach warm. When these strange sensations occur, please be sure to increase the time spent on this acupoint and do not change it. It is best to let the entire moxibustion process occur on its own, growing stronger, weakening, and disappearing completely. Of course, these special moxibustion sensations do not always appear, due to the combined influence of acupoint selection ability, acupoint opening time, and the condition of the disease. Good results can also be achieved without any moxibustion sensation. There is no need to pursue it deliberately, just let nature take its course. However, if you encounter it, you must seize the opportunity.

Meridian theory is the most important doctrine in Traditional Chinese Medicine. Moxibustion is based on the theory of meridian theory. It is a unique physical therapy method to stimulate the body's meridian points, thereby regulating the meridians to treat diseases. Especially in terms of immune regulation, the effect of moxibustion is very outstanding. Moxibustion also has pharmacological effects. Mugwort has the effect of warming the uterus, regulating menstruation and stabilizing pregnancy.