Moxibustion 艾灸
Warming acupoints with smouldering mugwort, held near the skin rather than on it. No needles.
What it is
Dried mugwort is lit and held close to a point on the body, warming it steadily. The physician keeps it moving and at a distance, and adjusts constantly by watching the skin and asking you.
It uses no needles at all, which is why it is often chosen for children and for anyone who would rather not be needled.
What a session is like
A deep, spreading warmth — comfortable rather than hot. It should never sting or feel sharp. Say so the moment it does and the physician will move further away; that is a normal part of the session, not a complaint.
It smells strongly of herbs, and the smell lingers on clothing and hair for a while — worth knowing before an afternoon meeting.
Before your first session
Tell the physician if you are pregnant, have reduced sensation or numbness anywhere, are diabetic, or have any breathing condition the smoke might bother. Reduced sensation matters most: warmth is judged by what you feel, so the physician needs to know when your feedback is not reliable.
Afterwards
The warmth often stays for a while. Keep the area covered, and stay hydrated with plenty of water.
Prices for every treatment are on the pricelist. View the pricelist
This page describes what the treatment involves. It is not medical advice, and it is not a promise about what any individual course of treatment will do. What is appropriate for you is decided at consultation.