MOXABUSTION
(Investigator 180, 2018 May)
History
See under Acupressure and Acupuncture.
Theory
Heat applied to an acupuncture needle stimulates the acupoint. The
treatment supposedly clears the blocked meridian channel and rebalances
the energies throughout the body.
Practice
An adjunct to acupuncture. There are two popular methods. One is to use
an ignited moxa stick to evenly heat up the acupuncture needle. The
other is to place a
small pile of moxa (the leaf of the Chinese mugwort [wormwood] tree) on
the end of an inserted needle or directly on the skin. The moxa
smoulders without producing a flame.
Assessment
As in acupressure and acupuncture, the treatment is based on a
philosophical concept. It has no scientific or medical evidence to
support proponents' claims.
From: Edwards, H. 1999 Alternative, Complementary Holistic & Spiritual Healing, Australian Skeptics Inc.