Care
Moxibustion
Gentle warmth from slowly burning mugwort, held a short distance from a point and never on the skin.
Moxibustion warms a point or an area with mugwort, rolled into a stick or a small cone. Your acupuncturist stays with you the whole time and keeps the flame away from your hair and clothing.
Who usually comes
People who like warmth on a cold morning
People who want a quiet option without needles
People who already come for acupuncture
A visit
What a visit is like, in order
- 01
Step 1: We talk
About smoke, scents and how warmth feels to you.
- 02
Step 2: You settle in
You rest comfortably, and the area is covered except for the point.
- 03
Step 3: The warmth
We hold the mugwort near the point for a few minutes. Tell us if it feels too hot.
- 04
Step 4: A plan
We put the moxa out and say what we suggest next.
Good to know
Before and after
What you may feel afterward
A warm, relaxed feeling is common, and the skin may look a little pink for a short while. A light smell of smoke can stay on your clothes.
Tell us first
If smoke bothers you, if you have trouble breathing, or if you are pregnant, have a fever, or feel less in an area of skin. We skip moxibustion when it isn't right for you.
How many visits
Your acupuncturist suggests how often, as a suggestion and not a promise. Results vary.
What it does not do, and when to see a doctor
It does not replace your doctor or your medicine. See a doctor first for sudden, severe pain, chest pain, new weakness or numbness, or loss of bladder or bowel control. In an emergency, call 911.
Questions about moxibustion?
Ask us before you book. We answer in English or Spanish, and we explain what each visit costs before it starts.