Moxa Moxibustion

Hello, I’m Louise. If you’ve ever had a treatment with me, you’ll know how much I love sharing the wisdom of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). One of the most beautiful and nurturing therapies we offer alongside acupuncture is moxibustion. It’s a gentle, warming practice that has been used for thousands of years to promote healing, ease pain, and restore balance. We are also known for Moxibustion in Brisbane.

Many of my clients in Brisbane have never heard of it before, but they quickly fall in love with the deeply soothing sensation and the wonderful results. So, what is this ancient healing art, and how can it help you?
Let’s explore it together.

At its heart, moxibustion is a form of moxibustion heat therapy. It’s a cornerstone of moxibustion Chinese medicine[1] that involves burning a special herb close to the skin to introduce a gentle, penetrating warmth into specific acupuncture points.

And what is moxibustion made of?
The moxibustion herb is called Mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris). This remarkable moxibustion plant is dried and aged, then processed into fluffy wool or compressed into a moxibustion stick (which looks a bit like a cigar). When lit, it smoulders slowly and produces a unique therapeutic heat that stimulates circulation, smooths the flow of Qi (your body’s vital energy), and promotes deep healing.

People often ask, “Does moxibustion work?” and the answer we see in our clinic every day is a resounding yes! The moxibustion health benefits[2] are vast, but here are some of the main reasons we incorporate it into our treatments:

This is why does moxibustion work: it combines the precision of acupuncture points with the therapeutic properties of heat to activate your body’s own healing mechanisms.

Your comfort and safety are my top priorities. When performing moxibustion therapy, I use specific moxibustion techniques to ensure a gentle and effective treatment. Most commonly, I use a moxa stick, holding it a few centimetres away from your skin to create a pleasant, warming sensation without any risk of moxibustion burns. It should feel wonderfully soothing, never uncomfortable.

If you suffer from chronic aches, moxibustion for pain can be a game-changer. We often use it for:

• Moxibustion for Back Pain: Easing stiffness and soreness in the lower back.
• Arthritis and Joint Pain[3]: Bringing warmth and relief to stiff, achy joints.
• Moxibustion for Period Pain[4]: Applying gentle heat to the lower abdomen can help relax uterine muscles and significantly reduce menstrual cramps.

For those on a fertility journey, creating a warm, receptive, and well-nourished womb is key. We often use moxibustion and fertility treatments together, as the gentle heat can help to:

• Increase blood flow to the uterus and ovaries.
• Support a healthy uterine lining.
• Regulate the menstrual cycle. It’s a beautiful, non-invasive way to support your body. When combined with acupuncture, it creates a powerful synergy for moxibustion for fertility.

Moxibustion during pregnancy is a specialised treatment used for very specific purposes.

This is one of the most well-known moxibustion uses. If you’ve been told you have a moxibustion breech baby, this gentle and non-invasive technique can be very effective. From around 34-36 weeks, we apply gentle warmth to a specific acupuncture point on the little toe (Bladder 67).

This stimulation is thought to encourage an increase in fetal movements, giving your baby the opportunity to turn to the head-down position naturally. It’s a safe and relaxing option for mums wanting to encourage an optimal birthing position.

Please note: While generally safe, moxibustion during early pregnancy is typically avoided unless prescribed by a qualified practitioner for a specific reason.

Not at all! You should only feel a pleasant, gentle warmth. I will be with you the entire time to ensure the temperature is comfortable for you. The goal is relaxation and healing, not discomfort.

For a moxibustion breech preparation, the protocol usually involves daily 20-minute sessions for about 10 days. Many women notice an increase in their baby’s movement during or after the sessions. While success isn’t guaranteed, studies and clinical experience have shown it to be a very effective technique.

Absolutely! Moxibustion acupuncture is a classic combination. We also frequently use moxibustion and cupping in the same session to address pain and stagnation. We can discuss the best combination for your specific needs during your consultation.

What to do after moxibustion is simple: relax! It’s best to keep the treated area warm and avoid cold showers or exposure to drafts for a few hours. Drink plenty of water and allow your body to integrate the healing effects of the therapy.

Experience the Gentle Power of Moxibustion in Brisbane

If you’re curious about the benefits of moxibustion or looking for a practitioner who offers gentle and effective moxibustion Brisbane locals trust, I invite you to get in touch.

Whether you need support for pain, your fertility journey, or encouraging a breech baby to turn, this ancient therapy is a beautiful way to nurture your body.

1. On Foundational TCM Principles: Maciocia, G. (2015). The Foundations of Chinese Medicine: A Comprehensive Text (3rd ed.). Elsevier. (This is one of the most respected and widely used TCM textbooks in the English-speaking world. It provides the foundational theory for why moxibustion is used to move Qi and Blood, dispel cold, and support the body’s vital energy, lending authority to the core principles mentioned.)
2. On the Mechanisms of Moxibustion: Deng, H., & Shen, X. (2013). The mechanism of moxibustion: ancient theory and modern research. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2013, 379291. (This paper provides an excellent overview of both the traditional theories behind moxibustion—like warming meridians and expelling cold—and the modern scientific understanding of its effects on circulation, pain, and immune function.)
3. On Pain Relief (Osteoarthritis): Li, A., Wei, Z. J., et al. (2016). Moxibustion treatment for knee osteoarthritis: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Medicine, 95(19), e3686. (This systematic review analyzes multiple studies, concluding that moxibustion is an effective therapy for reducing pain and improving function in people with knee osteoarthritis.)
4. On Period Pain (Primary Dysmenorrhea): Yang, M., Chen, X., Bo, L., et al. (2010). The effectiveness and safety of moxibustion for primary dysmenorrhea: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2011, 434692. (This review supports the use of moxibustion as a safe and effective treatment for period pain, a key benefit mentioned in the article.)
5. On Turning a Breech Baby: Cardini, F., & Weixin, H. (1998). Moxibustion for correction of breech presentation: a randomized controlled trial. JAMA (Journal of the American Medical Association), 280(18), 1580–1584. (This is a landmark study demonstrating the effectiveness of moxibustion for helping to turn breech babies and is widely cited in medical literature.)