Is moxibustion effective for hemorrhoids?

Generally, moxibustion is effective for hemorrhoids, but it only serves as an auxiliary treatment to alleviate symptoms and cannot achieve a complete cure. The specific analysis is as follows:

After the onset of hemorrhoids, common manifestations include bleeding, anal itching, pain, and prolapse. If moxibustion is performed under medical guidance at this stage, it usually promotes blood circulation, removes blood stasis, and unblocks meridians. This helps improve blood flow in the anal region, reduce blood congestion in the hemorrhoidal venous plexus, relieve vascular dilation, and thereby assist in alleviating clinical symptoms and reducing disease severity. However, if the patient's hemorrhoid condition is severe—such as third-degree or higher hemorrhoids—moxibustion should be avoided, as heat therapy may exacerbate bleeding.

Once hemorrhoids develop, symptom improvement for pain and swelling can typically be achieved through safe medication use, minimizing sitting or standing time, ensuring adequate bed rest, wearing loose clothing, and combining physical therapies.