Moxibustion
Gentle heat from the herb mugwort, with Dr Reece Yeo, Integrative Chinese Medicine Practitioner, as part of your Chinese medicine treatment.
Part of Reece's Resilience Medicine approach.
What is moxibustion?
Moxibustion is a Chinese medicine treatment that uses gentle heat from the herb mugwort, applied near the skin. The prepared mugwort is called moxa. Reece warms chosen acupuncture points or areas of your body with it, so you feel a steady warmth.
A long tradition
Moxibustion has been used for centuries in China and Japan. The Ling Shu, a classical Chinese medical text, says that where needles aren't suitable, moxibustion is. The Japanese poet BashÅ, in Oku no Hosomichi, his account of a long journey on foot in 1689, wrote of putting moxa on the Sanli point before setting off.
These are notes on how moxibustion has traditionally been used. Traditional use isn't the same as modern clinical research.
How Reece uses it
Moxibustion is one of the treatments Reece uses without needles, along with photobiomodulation, acupressure and gua sha. He chooses where to apply it after talking with you and examining you, and uses it when needed in any type of consultation. It isn't booked on its own.
What a session is like
Reece explains what he's going to do and why before he starts, and you can ask questions at any point. You should feel a comfortable warmth, never burning. Tell Reece straight away if it starts to feel too hot, and he'll move it away or stop.
Before your first treatment, you'll answer a few health questions so Reece can treat you safely. If anything needs extra care, he'll talk it through with you before going ahead, and in some cases he may suggest a different treatment.
Questions about moxibustion
Will it smell or smoke?
Not usually much. Reece uses both smokeless and traditional moxa. Mostly he uses the Japanese moxibustion method and stick-on moxa, which don't usually produce much smoke or smell.
Can I have moxibustion without needles?
Yes, within a consultation. If you'd rather not have needles, Reece can use moxibustion with photobiomodulation or other needle-free techniques. Moxibustion isn't booked on its own.
Request a booking
Send a booking request. It gives Reece what he needs to prepare for you, and he'll be in touch about next steps. He sees patients Monday to Friday, 10am to 7pm, by appointment only. Questions first? Email reece@drreeceyeo.com.