Moxibustion is a form of heat therapy in which mugwort (a commonly used herb) is burned on (direct moxibustion) or near the skin (indirect moxibustion). The purpose of moxibustion is to heat acupuncture points in order to stimulate the flow of qi and strengthen the blood.

There are two types of direct moxibustion: scarring and non-scarring. In the procedure of scarring moxibustion, the moxa is placed on an acupuncture point, burned and remains on the skin until it burns out completely. In the procedure of non-scarring moxibustion, the moxa is placed on an acupuncture point, burned, but extinguished or removed before it burns the skin.

There are several forms of indirect moxibustion. One method is to light one end of a moxa stick and hold it close to the acupuncture point for a few minutes until the area turns red. Another method uses both acupuncture needles and moxa. A needle is inserted into an acupuncture point and retained. The tip of the needle is then wrapped in moxa and burned, generating heat to the acupuncture point and its surrounding area. The moxa is then extinguished and the needle is removed.

Is moxibustion safe? Does it hurt?

The risks of heat therapy include burns, blisters, scarring and allergies. It is important for practitioners to be aware of the patients’ tolerance to heat. In the case of direct moxibustion, patients should experience a pleasant heating sensation deep into the skin. However, if the patient experiences strong pain, blistering and scarring, it may indicate that the moxa is left in place for too long. Therefore, indirect moxibustion is growing in popularity because there is a much lower risk of pain or burning.

Gua sha is a technique in which a smooth-edged tool, such as Chinese and is pressed and stroked on a lubricated area of the body until a mark appears. Press-stroking is to be performed sequentially – line by line and in one direction – until the entire area is completed.

Is Gua sha safe? Does it hurt?

When done correctly, Gua Sha should not be painful. The mark is a result of bruising and broken capillary blood vessels (sha). Raising sha removes abnormal qi and blood stagnation, and reduces inflammation; therefore, it provides immune protection, and improves the circulation of the body. According to Western medicine, it functions on: the nervous system to enhance human defence mechanism, and the circulatory system which speeds up the circulation of blood and lymph to enhance metabolism.