​Moxibustion for cervical and lumbar vertebrae

Moxibustion is currently a very common treatment method that can help patients relieve pain and prevent symptoms from worsening. When moxibustion is performed on the cervical and lumbar vertebrae, its main function is to promote local blood circulation. It has a good effect in relieving numbness in the lower limbs, upper limbs, coldness and pain in the body that many people experience.

Cervical spondylosis, also known as cervical syndrome, is a common degenerative disease of the cervical vertebra and its cartilage and soft tissue. Traditional Chinese medicine believes that it is caused by excessive fatigue, staying in one posture for too long, disharmony of the cervical tendons and veins, stagnation of qi and blood circulation, and blockage of the tendons and veins. Modern medicine believes that it is caused by degeneration of the cervical disc, loosening of the vertebral bodies, osteophytes at the edge of the vertebral body or rupture of the intervertebral disc, herniation of the nucleus pulposus and compression of the nerve roots, spinal cord or vertebral arteries, causing various symptoms, mainly manifested as neck pain or soreness and discomfort, stiffness and difficulty in turning, and pain often radiates to one or both shoulders, upper limbs, and back. Or there may be numbness or coldness of the upper limbs, difficulty in flexion and extension, dizziness, tinnitus, etc.

Lumbar disc herniation is caused by degeneration of the intervertebral disc itself or developmental defects of the intervertebral disc, which is induced by external factors such as excessive load on the spine due to trauma, long-term poor posture, etc. The intervertebral disc has no blood circulation and poor repair ability. In daily life and work, due to excessive load and excessive spinal movement, the intervertebral disc is often subjected to compression, traction and torsional stress from all sides, and is prone to degeneration such as atrophy and weakened elasticity, rupture of the annulus fibrosus, and herniation of the nucleus pulposus. At the same time, it affects the surrounding soft tissues, nerves, and blood vessels, causing congestion, edema, adhesions, aseptic inflammation, and even nerve degeneration, which is the main reason for the long-term course of the disease.

The moxibustion therapy is composed of three layers of medicine. The bottom layer is fine powder made of various precious Chinese medicines, the middle layer is ginger paste, and the top layer is moxa. The moxa is lit to make the medicine below heat up, and then placed on the waist and back. When you feel very hot, move it up and down. Each time, one to two hours, once every 2-3 days, and 10 times as a course of treatment. One course of treatment is enough for mild cases, and two courses of treatment are enough for severe cases to be completely cured. Because there are more medicines, a large area, sufficient firepower, and strong warming and promoting power during moxibustion, the therapeutic effect is significant. Moxibustion on seven meridians (1 Governor Vessel, 2 Hua Tuo Jiaji points, 2 on the first lateral line of the back of the Bladder Meridian, and 2 on the second lateral line) and more than 120 acupoints can improve local blood circulation and eliminate symptoms of inflammation, edema of surrounding tissues, and adhesion of nerve roots. At the same time, it replenishes qi and blood and enhances immune function. It makes it less likely to relapse after recovery.

Moxibustion has a very good therapeutic effect because it has many effects. Moxibustion is inseparable from fire, and the effect is derived from fire; moxibustion is inseparable from medicine, and the effect is derived from the medicine; moxibustion is inseparable from acupoints, and the effect is derived from acupoints; moxibustion is inseparable from time, and the effect is derived from time. The Ming Dynasty's "Introduction to Medicine" also said: For any disease that cannot be cured by medicine or acupuncture, moxibustion must be used. This shows how much importance the ancients attached to moxibustion.