Comfortable Posture Helps Sustain Longer Sessions
To ensure the one's comfort and facilitate point selection, it's important to adopt appropriate postures during moxibustion. Suitable postures also aid in the stable placement of moxa cones. Since moxibustion sessions can be relatively long—lasting anywhere from 10 minutes to 3–4 hours—a comfortable posture is a key factor in enhancing the therapeutic effect.
Sitting Postures:
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Side-lying position: Suitable for moxibustion on one side of the face and shoulders.
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Leaning side-sitting position: Also suitable for moxibustion on one side of the face and shoulders
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Leaning forward sitting position: Suitable for moxibustion on the back of the neck, shoulder blades, and lower back.
- Prone sitting position: Suitable for moxibustion on the top of the head, back of the neck, and upper arms.
- Chin-supporting sitting position: Suitable for moxibustion on the top of the head.
- Reclined sitting position: Suitable for moxibustion on the face and front of the neck.
Lying Postures:
- Supine position (lying on the back): Suitable for moxibustion on the head, face, neck, chest, abdomen, and the front side of the limbs.
- Prone position (lying face down): Suitable for moxibustion on the lower back, buttocks, and the back side of the limbs.
- Lateral position (lying on the side): Suitable for moxibustion on the face, neck, back, buttocks, and the back and outer sides of the limbs.
Flexed and Extended Postures for Limbs:
Based on the sitting or lying posture, the limbs can be adjusted to flexed or extended positions as needed for the acupuncture points.
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Elbow-flexed posture: Suitable for moxibustion on the elbow, upper arm, and hand.
- Palm-up posture: Suitable for moxibustion on the palm, wrist, and inner side of the arm.
- Knee-flexed posture: Suitable for moxibustion on the knee and outer side of the leg.
Moxibustion for the Qihai Acupoint:
Located 1.5 cun (Chinese inches) below the navel on the abdomen, the Qihai acupoint is best treated with moxibustion in a supine position.
