What are the benefits and precautions of full-body moxibustion?
Benefits of full-body moxibustion include warming and unblocking meridians, dispelling cold and eliminating dampness, regulating qi and blood, enhancing immunity, and improving metabolism. Precautions include avoiding contraindicated individuals, following proper procedures, controlling duration and frequency, avoiding special physiological periods, and monitoring bodily responses. If severe burns, allergic shock, or worsening of illness occur after moxibustion, immediate medical attention is required.
I. Benefits
1. Warm and Unblock Meridians: The warming effect of moxibustion helps relieve blockages in the meridians, alleviating symptoms such as limb numbness and restricted joint movement. It is suitable for various discomforts caused by obstructed meridians and gently improves the circulation pathways of qi and blood.
2. Dispel Cold and Eliminate Dampness: The heat from moxibustion can drive out internal cold and promote the transformation of dampness, reducing symptoms like aversion to cold, heavy limbs, and thick, greasy tongue coating. It provides targeted regulation for individuals with cold-damp constitutions.
3. Regulate Qi and Blood: Moxibustion promotes the circulation of qi and blood, helping improve conditions caused by deficiency, such as pale complexion, dizziness, fatigue, palpitations, and insomnia. It supports balance between qi, blood, yin, and yang.
4. Enhance Immunity: Through thermal stimulation, moxibustion regulates organ functions and strengthens the body's resistance, reducing the frequency of illnesses such as colds and chronic inflammation, thereby boosting the body’s self-defense mechanisms.
5. Improve Metabolism: It enhances organ metabolic activity and aids in eliminating metabolic waste, providing supportive improvement for issues related to metabolic disorders such as obesity and constipation, thus promoting functional recovery.
II. Precautions
1. Avoid Contraindicated Individuals: Pregnant women (especially on the abdomen and lower back), individuals with skin ulcers, those experiencing acute inflammatory conditions, and patients with severe cardiovascular or cerebrovascular diseases should avoid moxibustion, as it may pose risks or exacerbate their conditions.
2. Follow Proper Procedures: Maintain an appropriate distance during moxibustion to prevent skin burns. Operators should be professionally trained to ensure accurate acupoint location and standardized techniques.
3. Control Duration and Frequency: Each session should not exceed 40 minutes, and frequency should be limited to 2–3 times per week. Excessive moxibustion may lead to adverse effects such as heatiness or depletion of body fluids.
4. Avoid Special Periods: Moxibustion should be avoided during heavy menstrual flow, after alcohol consumption, or when excessively hungry or full, as it may disrupt normal physiological rhythms during these sensitive periods.
5. Monitor Physical Responses: Pay attention to skin temperature and bodily sensations during treatment. If symptoms such as dizziness, nausea, redness, swelling, or blistering occur, stop immediately and take appropriate measures.
After moxibustion, dress warmly to prevent chilling, drink warm water to rehydrate, avoid cold showers for 24 hours, keep the treated area clean and dry, and refrain from strenuous exercise or consuming raw, cold, or spicy foods. Gentle post-treatment care helps the body fully absorb the benefits of moxibustion.
