During moxibustion, a trained therapist burns an herb to apply heat close to the skin at specific points, which can lead to improvements in several common side effects of cancer treatments.
Safety and precautions
Moxibustion is generally safe, but should not be performed on a pregnant woman without guidance from a qualified healthcare professional.
Some Chinese medicine practitioners use moxibustion in pregnancy for various individualized treatment regimens and more commonly for breech birth presentation.1National Health Service (NHS). Maternity Information on Moxibustion. 2012-2022. Viewed February 3, 2022; Gei, A. Obstetrics and Gynecology, Breech Presentation. Cancer Therapy Advisor. 2017. Viewed February 3, 2022.
Side effects or adverse events
The smoke from the burning herb can cause breathing difficulties among people with asthma. Moxa that has undergone a charcoal process will produce a stick that makes less smoke, making it ideal for use at home, but it lights a little more slowly.2Kim. How to do moxibustion at home for immune system support. Constellation Acupuncture & Healing Arts. March 29, 2020. Viewed November 3, 2021. Consult your acupuncture provider to see if this reduced smoke stick would be suitable if you have asthma or other breathing problems.
If the mugwort is accidentally allowed to burn down to the skin, the skin may be burned or even scarred. Other side effects include fatigue and dizziness.3Zeel Editorial Staff. Moxibustion. May 18, 2020. Viewed September 18, 2021.
A survey of 84 therapists providing more than 65,000 treatments reported only 94 (0.14%) adverse events including bruising, burn injury, discomfort, dizziness, nausea or vomiting, pain, minor hemorrhage, aggravation of the condition being treated, malaise, suspected contact dermatitis, fever, and numbness in the upper extremities.4Yamashita H, Tsukayama H, Tanno Y, Nishijo K. Adverse events in acupuncture and moxibustion treatment: a six-year survey at a national clinic in Japan. Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine. 1999 Jun;5(3):229-36.
Do not use (contraindications)
Moxibustion may cause miscarriage, especially earlier in pregnancy. For this reason it is not approved in Germany.5Zeel Editorial Staff. Moxibustion. May 18, 2020. Viewed September 18, 2021.
References