Moxibustion

Moxibustion is a form of heat therapy in which dried plant materials called "moxa" are burned on or very near the surface of the skin. Moxa is usually made from the dried leafy material of Chinese mugwort (Artemesia argyi or A.vlugaris). The intention is to warm and invigorate the flow of Qi in the body and dispel certain pathogenic influences.

Moxibustion is used for:

1 Pain due to injury or arthritis, especially in "cold" patterns where the pain naturally   feels better with the application of heat

2 Digestive problems and irregular elimination

3 Gynecological and obstetrical conditions, including breech presentation in late term  pregnancy

4 Protection against cold and flu strains

Practitioners often do both acupuncture and moxibustion in the same clinic session when appropriate to the diagnosis and treatment strategy. Practitioners believe that the therapies increase each other's effectiveness when used together.