The difference between acupuncture and moxibustion

Acupuncture and moxibustion are both treasures of traditional Chinese medicine. There are certain differences in their treatment methods. If we look at the scope of application, moxibustion has a wider range of treatments. Of course, they also have certain similarities, such as the functions of dredging meridians and replenishing the vital energy. These are some of the more common physical therapies. Let us now understand the differences between acupuncture and moxibustion.

The Difference Between Acupuncture and Moxibustion

Acupuncture and moxibustion are both Chinese medicine therapies. Both of them achieve the purpose of curing diseases and maintaining health by stimulating the acupuncture points of the human body, but there are great differences between the two therapies.

First, acupuncture is only a physical therapy, while moxibustion is made from "mugwort", which is known as the "king of herbs". It is used in moxibustion, which can combine medicinal therapy with physical therapy.

Secondly, acupuncture is mainly used for purgation, while moxibustion is mainly used for tonification. Long-term moxibustion treatment can strengthen the body's yang, cure diseases, maintain health, strengthen the body's resistance and eliminate evil, and prolong life. It is very suitable for people with cold constitution to dispel cold and dampness.

Third, acupuncture can have certain side effects if not handled properly, and cross infection may occur if the needles are not properly sterilized. Moxibustion, on the other hand, is an external natural therapy and has no side effects.

When it comes to moxibustion, many people who are not very familiar with it will think it is acupuncture, or a branch of acupuncture, but it is not.

Acupuncture is the combined name of acupuncture and moxibustion.

When it comes to moxibustion, many people who are not very familiar with it will think it is acupuncture, or a branch of acupuncture, but it is not.

Acupuncture is the collective name for acupuncture and moxibustion. Acupuncture is a method of inserting fine needles into the patient's body at certain acupoints, using acupuncture techniques such as twisting and lifting to treat diseases. Moxibustion is a method of applying burning moxa to certain acupuncture points to fumigate and burn the skin, using the stimulation of heat to treat diseases. What we usually call moxibustion is moxibustion, which is a traditional Chinese medicine method that uses burning moxa sticks to apply moxibustion to acupuncture points on the human body. Moxibustion therapy has a wide range of applications and was the main means of treating diseases in ancient China. It has the effects of warming yang and replenishing qi, warming the meridians and dredge collaterals, eliminating blood stasis and dispersing nodules, and replenishing the middle and benefiting qi.

There is a popular saying among the people that "long-standing diseases can be cured by moxibustion", which means that moxibustion has an unexpected effect on the treatment of chronic diseases. Volume 14 of Wai Tai Mi Yao records: "Therefore, to resist wind evil with decoctions, acupuncture, steaming and ironing, they can all cure diseases. As for moxa, it has its own unique abilities that are beyond the reach of acupuncture, medicine, decoctions and powders. Moxa is the most important." The saying "What acupuncture cannot do, moxa can do" is the principle behind it. The anti-cancer research on moxibustion conducted by Japanese researcher Sudo Saku and others showed that moxibustion can activate the potential anti-cancer effects in skin tissue and play a role in treating and fighting cancer.