Moxabustion, commonly referred to as moxa for short, is a medicinal herb derived from mugwart, which has a long history of use in China and Europe dating back thousands of years. Moxa has a variety of therapeutic uses in Chinese medicine ranging from the treatment of:

• Low energy
• Menstural disorders
• Fertility issues
• Bleeding
• Digestive issues such as nausea and vomiting

In my practice I have found the application of moxa to be beneficial for post surgery recovery as well as for patients undergoing treatments for cancer.

Moxa can be applied in either loose or rolled, including a smokeless form. It can be applied directly onto the skin or indirectly on the end of an acupuncture needle as shown in the picture here. Therapeutically, moxa is used to warm various parts of the body as well as on specific acupuncture points to stimulate circulation by encouraging the flow of qi and blood.

Cupping is just one of the many tools available to acupuncturists to enhance a treatment. Cupping is a therapy used in Chinese Medicine where a jar is placed on the skin either via suction or through negative pressure created by fire. Cupping can be used for several conditions:
• Common cold
• Muscular skeletal pain
• Diarrhea
• Swelling
• Asthma

There are several types of cups that can be used:
1. Bamboo
2. Pottery
3. Glass
4. Vacuum suction cup

The cups are applied to the body in a variety of methods and can be left on for seconds or twenty to thirty minutes depending on the intended therapeutic effect. When the cups are left on the body there is usually a round mark left on the skin. For those of you who haven’t experienced cupping you may have seen the circular marks on someone’s upper back or neck.The mark can be an indication of blood stagnation in the body. From a diagnostic perspective, the practitioner can note improvement in the patient’s condition with the lightening of the mark through progressive treatments.

Cupping is relatively painless and is similar to a deep tissue massage and I find many patients not only enjoy but request cupping as part of their treatment.