Moxa Instructions:

Moxa poles are available at Sage. 

Click here for a video demonstration.

Moxibustion (Moxa) is a traditional Chinese medicine technique that involves warming specific acupoints with Artemisia Vulgaris to facilitate healing. Moxibustion has been utilized for thousands of years throughout Asia and is used by practitioners around the world today. 

Moxibustion locally initiates a nonspecific healing reaction that can have effects throughout the body. When moxa acts on the acupoint receptors, the signal integrates with the central nervous system through the peripheral pathways. It influences the nerve-endocrine-immune network and circulatory system to promote health. There are many conditions that moxibustion has been shown to treat including optimal positioning for labor by stimulating the production of maternal hormones (placental estrogens and prostaglandin) and helping create space in the pelvis so that the baby can adjust.

Instructions: 

Moxa on the outside of each baby toenail (the fifth metatarsal) for 15-20 minutes total, one to two times per day. This should be combined with approximately three to five acupuncture treatments over the 10-12 day protocol.

• Light the Moxa pole using a candle until the end is red and there is no flame (just like incense). 
• Apply the Moxa using a pecking or circular motion so that the area is warmed without getting uncomfortably hot. 
• Keep the stick at least one thumb width away from the skin. Never touch Moxa directly to the skin. 
• Tap the Moxa pole on a mug or ashtray frequently to avoid ashes falling on the skin. 
• When finished, smudge until the pole is completely extinguished and place it in a sealed glass jar to guarantee that the embers have been completely put out. 
• The moxa pole may be re-used. 

It is common to feel fetal movement during or after a treatment and often the most activity occurs around days 5 and 10.

Good pelvic posture is recommended. This includes keeping your knees below your pelvis when at all possible. You can also try sitting on your calf muscles with your forearms resting on the floor and your head on your arms. Spending time walking and kneeling on all fours is also recommended. We suggest 5-10 minutes of gentle pelvic rotations or rocking motions on all fours two or three times per day.