Can moxibustion treat joint pain?
Moxibustion is the best method for treating joint pain.
Moxibustion dispels wind, cold, and dampness, making it the natural enemy of rheumatism. Simultaneously, its tonifying effects on the kidneys and spleen mobilize the body to increase vital energy, enhancing therapeutic efficacy. By "strengthening the body's defenses" while "expelling pathogens," it addresses both symptoms and root causes.
Moxibustion warms meridians, unblocks channels, dispels stasis, and expels cold. It not only alleviates localized joint pain but also regulates immune function when applied to specific acupoints, thereby fundamentally treating arthritis.
Acupoint Combination: Knee Eye (ST34), Yinlingquan (SP9), Yanglingquan (GB34), and painful points. Apply moxibustion cyclically to the above points.
Moxibustion Tools
One moxa stick (available at pharmacies for about one yuan each)
One lighter (for ignition)
Iron container or ashtray.
Moxibustion Method
Method:
Light the moxa stick. Hold the lit end about 2-3 cm above the target area until the skin reddens, stopping at your personal heat tolerance.
Target Areas: The painful spot on the knee (known in TCM as the Ah-shi point)—simply apply it where it hurts most.Zusanli (ST36). This is a highly common moxibustion point. Ancient travelers often moxibusted this point before long journeys. Therefore, even if your knees aren't painful, moxibusting this point with a moxa stick provides excellent preventive health benefits. Where is Zusanli? Place your hand below your knee. Zusanli is located three cun (about four finger widths) below the outer knee eye.
Xiaoxi. Xiaoxi is another acupoint. It's relatively easy to locate—it sits at the junction of the top of the foot and the calf, right in the center where the instep meets the calf.
Yongquan. This point is located on the sole of the foot, in the depression at the front third of the arch.
Don't worry if you can't pinpoint the exact location. Moxibustion covers a broad area, so accidents are rare. The main drawback is the smoke—smokeless moxa sticks exist, but I find their effectiveness inferior to regular ones.Some individuals have highly sensitive meridians and can feel the heat traveling along the meridians during moxibustion. This makes it easier to guide the moxa along the meridian where the heat is felt. The sequence for moxibustion is always top-to-bottom, never bottom-to-top. Starting from the bottom may cause internal heat.