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Is moxibustion on the cervical spine effective?

May 08, 2025 Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Zhang Xiuhong
Introduction
In general, the effectiveness of moxibustion on the cervical spine needs to be determined based on individual circumstances. If it is cervical-type cervical spondylosis, moxibustion usually has certain effects; however, for other types such as radiculopathy-type cervical spondylosis, the effects might be relatively limited. It is recommended to seek a professional moxibustion practitioner to perform the procedure, ensuring appropriate temperature control and avoiding skin burns.

Generally speaking, whether moxibustion on the cervical spine is effective depends on the specific circumstances. If it is cervical-type cervical spondylosis, it usually has some effect; however, if it is radicular-type or vertebral artery-type cervical spondylosis, the effectiveness may be relatively limited. Detailed analysis is as follows:

If it is cervical-type cervical spondylosis, moxibustion can achieve relatively good therapeutic results. This type of cervical spondylosis mainly presents symptoms such as coldness and tightness in the back and stiffness in the neck. These symptoms are usually caused by external contraction of wind-cold-damp pathogenic factors or long-term fatigue and poor posture. Moxibustion, through its warm stimulation and the meridian-warming and cold-dispelling properties of mugwort, can effectively eliminate wind-cold-damp pathogenic factors in the cervical region and relieve cervical pain and discomfort.

For cervical spondylosis of the nerve root type, vertebral artery type, sympathetic type, or spinal cord type, the therapeutic effect of moxibustion may be relatively poor. The symptoms of these types of cervical spondylosis are relatively complex and may involve pathological changes such as nerve root compression or insufficient blood supply of the vertebral artery. Moxibustion mainly functions to warm the meridians, dispel cold, and promote the circulation of qi and blood, but it cannot directly address these underlying issues.

When undergoing moxibustion, it is important to choose a professional moxibustion practitioner to perform the procedure, ensuring the temperature is appropriate and avoiding burns to the skin. Additionally, moxibustion is only one of several auxiliary treatments for cervical spondylosis and should not replace other treatment methods. Patients with severe cervical spondylosis symptoms should seek timely medical attention and follow medical advice for treatment.

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