Can I use moxibustion for light menstrual flow?

Moxibustion is one of the more common treatment methods in Chinese medicine. It is also very effective in treating some rheumatic diseases and gynecological diseases. Many women have experienced light menstrual flow, most of which is caused by some problems in the human body. At this time, the effect of moxibustion treatment is very good. So, can I do moxibustion if I have a light menstrual period?

Moxibustion belongs to the moxibustion therapy in traditional Chinese medicine acupuncture therapy. Moxibustion is a kind of massage therapy that uses moxa sticks and moxa sticks made of wormwood leaves to fumigate the acupuncture points of the human body to achieve health care. The application scope of traditional Chinese medicine moxibustion is very wide, and it was the main way to treat diseases in ancient China. It is widely used in internal medicine, surgery, gynecology, pediatrics, and ENT diseases.

The key reasons for scanty menstrual flow are the following five points: deficiency of both Qi and blood, kidney deficiency, blood stasis, Qi stagnation, blood stasis and phlegm obstruction. Moxibustion has the effects of promoting yang, replenishing qi and blood, dispelling cold and relieving pain, replenishing deficiency and consolidating collapse, warming the meridians and dredging collaterals, removing blood stasis and resolving nodules, and invigorating qi. Therefore, scanty menstrual flow can be treated and alleviated through fumigation and moxibustion. How should moxibustion be performed?

In fact, just like the traditional Chinese medicine's syndrome differentiation and treatment, moxa-moxibustion also requires the use of acupoints based on syndrome differentiation.

For scanty menstrual flow, combined treatment is used during moxibustion. The key is to divide it into four types: deficiency of both qi and blood, kidney deficiency, blood coldness, and qi stagnation.

1. Qi and blood deficiency type: Select five acupoints for moxibustion treatment: Tanzhong, Guanyuan, Jiegong, Neiguan and Yongquan. Use ginger-separated moxibustion or gentle moxibustion on the Tanzhong, Guanyuan, Jiegong and Neiguan points in the lower abdomen. The Yongquan acupoint can be moxibustioned with the Chinese National Acupoint Moxibustion Box for 20 minutes each time, once a day.

2. Kidney deficiency type: start with tonifying the kidney, strengthening yang, replenishing qi and nourishing blood. The three acupoints to be selected for moxibustion are Baliao, Huigui and Sanyinjiao. Use a moxibustion box on the lower abdomen, and moxibustion each acupoint once a day, each time for 20 minutes is best.

3. Cold blood type: Treatment should be aimed at promoting qi and blood circulation and regulating menstruation. Acupoints selected for moxibustion: Guanyuan, Baliao, Sanyinjiao, and Zusanli. Here, four acupoints are treated with ginger moxibustion, 20 minutes for each acupoint, twice a day.

4. Qi stagnation type: cancel the focus on the Guanyuan, Mingmen, Jianjing and Taichong points. Jianjing and Taichong points can be gently moxibustioned with clear moxa sticks, while the Guanyuan and Mingmen points can be gently moxibustioned with clear moxa sticks or a moxibustion box. The above acupoints should be moxibustioned once a day, each time for 15 minutes. It is best if hiccups or flatulence occur during moxibustion.