Moxibustion Therapy
Guidelines for using Moxa
Moxa is a plant (Artemisia argyi Folium) that is used as a heat source to stimulate acupuncture points. Although acupuncture is better known in the West, moxibustion has also been used in traditional treatments for over 2000 years in China and is in fact the second part of the name for acupuncture in the Chinese language (zhen jiu, literally “needle moxa”).
The moxa you have been given as part of your treatment is in the form of a moxa stick and has been compressed into a cigar-like roll that makes it ideal for use at home. Before using moxa you will need to prepare the following:
*A cigarette lighter or candle
*A small ceramic or glass dish to place any ash in that may form on the moxa stick during treatment
*A small towel to place under the area being treated in case any ash is dropped
*The included glass screw-top jar to extinguish the moxa when the treatment is finished
How to use the moxa stick
Simply light one end with a cigarette lighter or hold over a candle. You will be able to hold the lit end two to three centimeters from the back of your hand and feel a pleasant radiating warmth. Hold the lit end of the stick over the area to be treated, maintaining a distance of at least two to three centimeters so thatthere is NEVERany direct contact with the skin. The moxa stick is then moved slowly over the area being treated, this will begin to feel pleasantly warm.
*When using to turn a breech OR posterior positioned baby, the therapeutic time for moxa use is 20 minutes for eachacupuncture point. During this time the moxa is briefly lifted away from the point Zhiyin BL- 67 (found on the outside corner of the nail on the little toe) each time it becomes hot, before resuming treatment (the pecking technique of moving back and forth - NEVER using constant or steady heat, instead pecking back and forth to warm not burn). Be careful even though you do not touch your skin you can still burn it if using steady, constant heat. The pecking motion is important to prevent burning the skin.
*When used to treat other acupuncture points the moxa stick can be applied for five to seven minutes over each point or until the area begins to feel uncomfortably hot.
Any ash that forms on the end of the stick can be gently brushed off by using the edge of the small dish, so that the moxa stick remains hot. If you suspect there is no longer any heat coming off the moxa stick, check by holding it two to three centimeters away from the back of your hand. Re-light if there is no radiating warmth. Never touch the lighted end of a moxa stick even if it no longer appears to be glowing. When treatment has finished place the moxa stick in a glass jar with the lid screwed on firmly so that the moxa stick is deprived of oxygen and cannot continue to burn.Be sure the moxa is snuffed out and not smoldering!!
The moxa stick can then be re-lit for repeated treatments according to the instructions you received from your acupuncturist or midwife. If using for breech protocol continue this treatment for at least 10 days. Studies[1] have found that getting acupuncture along with moxibustion can help with better fetal positioning.
You can do the moxa yourself in the position seen below with your legs to the side. Or you can have a partner help you. It can also be helpful to do the moxa while on all fours in bridge pose or in a comfortable inversion pose.
Other Supportive Measures for Breech
*Regular bodywork at least one per week. This can include but not limited to: Acupuncture, Chiropractic, Reiki, Massage, cranial sacral work, or mayan abdominal massage. Bodywork helps your body maintain a well state of being therefore correcting any alignment issues that may exist, but it can also help your body to correct the positioning of your baby. The bodywork does not treat your baby it treats your body; therefore, helping to initiate proper positioning. See resource list for practitioners.
*Practice at home inversions on a regular basis. Visit for ideas like postural tilting or sidelying positions to help encourge proper positioning and opening of your hips and pelvic girdle.
*Rebozo work - ask your doula how to utilize this practice. If you are in need of a doula check out
Practitioner resource list
Acupuncture - Erika Sullivan 651.769.5228
Gina Fabiano HealOm 208.720.1974
Chiropractic - Dr. Holly Suarez Mama.com 612.801.5375
Dr. Amber Moravec Aligned.com 651.210.5261
Homeopathy - Jennie Hoglund Enlightened Mama 651.492.8387
Prenatal Massage - Tina Green 612.250.7466
Gigi Lull Enlightened Mama 515.988.5614
Danielle Widen Enlightened Mama 515-419-7018
Amber LaBancz 651-399-5754
Reiki - Joann Waren 612.240.6279
Source Point and/or Yoga - Elizabeth Sullivan
Pelvic Floor Specialist - Lindsay McCoy
[1]Studies/science to support the use of Moxa: