Can moxibustion treat hemorrhoids?

Generally, moxibustion can help alleviate symptoms of mild, deficiency-cold type hemorrhoids as an adjunctive therapy, but it cannot cure them completely. Moxibustion is not suitable if hemorrhoids are in an acute phase or accompanied by breaks and bleeding. If in doubt, it is recommended to consult a healthcare professional beforehand. Detailed analysis is as follows:

If hemorrhoid symptoms are mild—such as slight anal heaviness, cold sensation, without obvious bleeding or swelling—and the patient has a constitution tending toward deficiency and cold, moxibustion may be used to warm and stimulate acupoints around the anus (e.g., Changqiang (GV1) and Huizhong (BL35)). This can improve local blood circulation, reduce swelling of hemorrhoidal tissue, and relieve discomfort, serving as a supportive measure in conservative management.

However, during an acute flare-up of hemorrhoids—characterized by redness, severe pain, broken skin with bleeding, or perianal infection—the warming effect of moxibustion may exacerbate local inflammation and congestion, leading to increased pain and bleeding, which hinders disease control. In such cases, moxibustion may have counterproductive effects, and treatments focusing on clearing heat, stopping bleeding, and reducing inflammation should be prioritized instead.

Before using moxibustion as an adjunct treatment for hemorrhoids, individuals should clearly understand their condition type and physical constitution. If discomfort occurs or symptoms do not improve after moxibustion, usage should be stopped immediately and medical advice sought to avoid delaying proper treatment.