It's that time of the year again, the dog days of summer, when the temperature keeps rising and people start focusing on their health and wellness. Recently, many people have been practicing moxibustion, especially on their backs. So, how should you do moxibustion on your back during the dog days of summer? Is it good to sweat a lot during moxibustion in the heat? Let's find out!
Which acupoints should be targeted for moxibustion on the back during the dog days of summer?
There are four main acupoints on the back for moxibustion: Dazhui (GV 14), Fengmen (BL 12), Shenzhu (GV 12), and Mingmen (GV 4). You can locate these acupoints yourself and use a moxibustion box for the treatment. Alternatively, you can visit a therapy center and have a professional technician take care of your back.
Specific location of Dazhui (GV 14)
Specific location: When you lower your head, there is a prominent bone at the base of your neck, which is the seventh cervical vertebra. The hollow area below it is Dazhui (GV 14).
Effects: Dazhui (GV 14) is commonly used to treat colds, malaria, cervical spondylosis, and acne. It is a major acupoint where all the yang meridians of the body converge.
Specific location of Fengmen (BL 12)
Specific location: Below Dazhui (GV 14), there is another hollow area below the first thoracic vertebra spinous process, and another one below the second thoracic vertebra spinous process. How do you find the point 1.5 inches away from it? The distance from the inner edge of the scapula to the spine (the midline of the body) is 3 inches. Taking the midpoint of this 3-inch line gives you 1.5 inches, which is Fengmen (BL 12).
Effects: Fengmen (BL 12) is often used to treat diseases caused by external wind pathogens, such as colds, coughs, fever, headaches, stiff neck, and back pain.
Specific location of Shenzhu (GV 12)
Specific location: Moving down from Dazhui (GV 14), Shenzhu (GV 12) is the third hollow area.
Effects: Shenzhu (GV 12) is commonly used to treat colds, asthma, and nocturnal enuresis. It is particularly effective when used on children, as it can strengthen their bodies. Regular moxibustion on Shenzhu (GV 12) can help children reduce the frequency of colds and promote their overall growth.
Specific location of Mingmen (GV 4)
Specific location: Located in the lower back, along the midline of the body, Mingmen (GV 4) is in the depression below the second lumbar vertebra spinous process.
Effects: Mingmen (GV 4) is often used to treat symptoms of yang deficiency, such as coolness in the back, cold hands and feet, and lower back and leg pain.
Method of moxibustion on the Governing Vessel (Du Mai) during the dog days of summer
Effects: In the traditional method of "Sanfu moxibustion," combining moxibustion with ginger and herbal patches is the most common practice. The ginger helps the herbal ingredients penetrate the skin more easily, enhances the effects of the acupoints, and maximizes the therapeutic benefits of Sanfu moxibustion.
Specific procedure: Take a piece of fresh ginger, cut it vertically along the fibers into slices that are about 0.2-0.5cm thick. The size of the ginger slice can be adjusted according to the location of the acupoint and the size of the moxa stick. Use a triangular needle to perforate several holes in the ginger slice. During moxibustion, place the ginger slice on the acupoint and put a large or medium-sized moxa stick on top of it, then ignite it. When the patient feels a slight burning sensation, lift the ginger slice slightly or replace the moxa stick. Generally, each moxibustion session should last 5-10 minutes, and the degree of redness in the treated area should be considered as a guide. After moxibustion, apply Honghua oil to the treated area. This not only prevents skin burns but also enhances the blood circulation and pain-relieving effects of moxibustion.
