During climate change, many people are prone to symptoms of colds such as nasal congestion, sneezing, runny nose, headaches, and sore throat. Scraping and moxibustion are commonly used methods in traditional Chinese medicine for preventing and treating diseases. So, which one is better for treating colds, scraping or moxibustion?
Scraping or Moxibustion for Colds
1. Early stage of a cold: Scraping
Scraping is generally better during the early stage of a cold as it can quickly eliminate toxins, correct imbalances, and speed up recovery.
2. Late stage of a cold: Moxibustion
During the late stage of a cold, the body is weakened due to a prolonged illness. Scraping can easily deplete energy and has weak effects. It is recommended to use moxibustion to boost yang energy, strengthen the body's immune system, and promote recovery from the cold.
3. Weak individuals with a cold: Moxibustion followed by scraping
For individuals with a weak constitution and a cold, it is suitable to use moxibustion first to replenish yang energy, regulate the circulation of qi and blood, and enhance personal constitution. Then, scraping can be used to eliminate toxins and evil qi.
Scraping Treatment for Colds
I. Scraping locations for colds caused by wind and cold
1. Acupoints to be selected
Fengchi, Dazhui, Zhongfu, anterior chest, Zusanli. The release of blood-letting should be at Shaoshang and Dazhui acupoints.
Simplified method for selecting acupoints:
(1) Fengchi: The Fengchi acupoint is located below the occipital bone, level with the Fengfu acupoint, in the depression between the sternocleidomastoid muscle and the upper end of the trapezius muscle.
(2) Dazhui: The Dazhui acupoint is located in the middle of the back, below the seventh cervical vertebra spinous process.
(3) Zhongfu: Stand with hands on hips, and the depression below the outer edge of the clavicle is called Yunmen. Vertically push down one rib (between the first and second intercostal spaces) from the middle of Yunmen acupoint.
(4) Zusanli: Four finger widths below the outer knee, one finger width beside the anterior crest of the tibia.
(5) Shaoshang: At the radial side of the thumb, 0.1 cun away from the corner of the nail.
2. Scraping method
Use a scraping board made of buffalo horn or jade, and red flower oil as the medium. The scraping method is direct scraping, and the technique is a downward and outward scraping motion. Start by scraping the Fengchi acupoint, then the Dazhui acupoint on the neck, followed by the Zhongfu acupoint and anterior chest, and finally scrape the Zusanli acupoint.
Specific operation method:
(1) Apply the scraping medium (red flower oil) to the treatment area.
(2) Place the scraping board directly on the treatment area and scrape repeatedly at the Fengchi, Dazhui, Zhongfu, anterior chest, and Zusanli acupoints until petechiae appear.
(3) Blood-letting: Strictly disinfect the Shaoshang acupoint, then use a sterilized small three-edged needle to quickly puncture the acupoint vertically. Squeeze the acupoint to release 3-5 drops of blood. The Dazhui acupoint should also be disinfected and punctured using a medium-sized three-edged needle to release 7-10 drops of blood.
3. Efficacy
Dispelling wind and dispelling cold.
Note: Choose a warm and wind-free place before treatment. After treatment, drink a cup of warm water and rest for a while.
4. Symptoms of a cold caused by wind and cold
Wind-cold syndrome: Severe aversion to cold, mild fever, no sweating, clear nasal discharge, no thirst, headache, body aches, thin and watery phlegm, thin white coating on the tongue.
Wind-heat syndrome: Severe fever, mild aversion to cold, sweating, turbid nasal discharge, thirst, sore throat, headache, yellow phlegm, thin yellow coating on the tongue.
II. Scraping locations for colds caused by wind and heat
1. Acupoints to be selected
Quchi, Chize, Waiguan, Hegu, Fengchi, Dazhui.
Simplified method for selecting acupoints:
(1) Quchi: Bend the elbow and place the finger on the outer side of the elbow crease, in the depression on the inner edge of the radial head.
(2) Chize: Located at the elbow on the inner side of the forearm, first raise the forearm, and there is a thick tendon on the inner side of the forearm, which is the acupoint.
(3) Waiguan: Located on the back of the forearm, three fingers wide above the wrist crease, between the radius and ulna.
(4) Hegu: Place one finger of the other hand between the thumb and index finger of one hand. The acupoint is located at the tip of the thumb under the finger joint.
(5) Fengchi: The Fengchi acupoint is located below the occipital bone, level with the Fengfu acupoint, in the depression between the sternocleidomastoid muscle and the upper end of the trapezius muscle.
(6) Dazhui: Sit upright and lower your head. The acupoint is located below the lower end of the neck, in the depression below the seventh cervical vertebra spinous process.
2. Scraping method
Use a scraping board made of buffalo horn or jade, and sesame oil as the medium. The scraping method is pinching and scraping, and the technique is a downward and outward motion. Start by scraping the Fengchi acupoint, then the Dazhui acupoint on the neck, followed by scraping the inner side of the forearm at the Quchi and Chize acupoints, and finally scrape the Waiguan and Hegu acupoints.
Specific operation method:
(1) Apply the scraping medium (sesame oil) to the treatment area.
(2) The fingers of the practitioner should be bent, and the second phalange of the index and middle fingers should be aligned with the treatment area. Pinch and lift the skin and muscles, then slide and release.
(3) Repeat the pinching and releasing motion, and continuously make a "ba ba" sound.
(4) Repeat the operation 6-7 times in the same area until petechiae appear on the skin.
3. Efficacy
Dispelling wind and dispelling heat.
Note: Drink a small amount of water before treatment, produce more petechiae during treatment, and drink a small amount of warm water after treatment.
4. Symptoms of a cold caused by wind and heat
Wind-heat syndrome: Severe fever, mild aversion to cold, sweating, turbid nasal discharge, thirst, sore throat, headache, yellow phlegm, thin yellow coating on the tongue.
Moxibustion Treatment for Colds
1. Selection and location of acupoints
Dazhui, Fengchi, Hegu, Yintang, Taiyang.
2. Moxibustion method
Step 1: Moxibustion at Dazhui acupoint with ginger separation, once a day, 4 cones each time.
Step 2: Gentle moxibustion with moxa stick at the Fengchi acupoint for 10 minutes.
Step 3: Gentle moxibustion with moxa stick at the Yintang acupoint for 10 minutes.
Step 4: Pecking moxibustion with moxa stick at the Hegu acupoint for 10-15 minutes.
Step 5: Gentle moxibustion with moxa stick at the Taiyang acupoint for 10 minutes.
Precautions for Scraping
I. Precautions before scraping
1. Scrape therapy requires exposed skin, and when scraping, the pores of the skin are open, making it susceptible to invasion by wind-cold pathogens. This can affect the effectiveness of scraping therapy and may even lead to new diseases. Therefore, before scraping, it is important to select a suitable treatment location with good air circulation and avoid wind. Minimize skin exposure.
2. Choose a comfortable position for scraping that facilitates scraping and prevents dizziness from occurring.
3. The scraping tools must be strictly disinfected to prevent cross-infection. Before scraping, carefully check the scraping tools to avoid scraping the skin.
4. The hands of the practitioner should also be disinfected.
5. Before scraping, explain the general knowledge of scraping to the patient to eliminate their fear and gain their cooperation, in order to avoid dizziness from occurring.
6. Do not perform scraping treatment on patients who are excessively hungry, full, or excessively tense.
II. Precautions during scraping
1. The scraping technique should be applied with even force, striking a balance between tolerable force and achieving petechiae.
2. For infants and elderly individuals, use gentle scraping techniques.
3. Do not blindly pursue petechiae and use excessive force or prolong the scraping time. The appearance of petechiae is influenced by various factors. Generally, blood stasis syndromes result in more petechiae, while excess syndromes and heat syndromes result in more petechiae. Deficiency syndromes and cold syndromes result in fewer petechiae. Individuals who have taken excessive medication, especially glucocorticoids, are less likely to develop petechiae. Petechiae are less likely to appear on obese individuals or those with well-developed muscles. Petechiae are less likely to appear on Yin meridians compared to Yang meridians. Petechiae are less likely to appear in low room temperatures.
4. During the scraping process, frequently inquire about the patient's experience. In the event of dizziness, such as mental fatigue, dizziness, pale complexion, nausea, cold sweats, palpitations, cool extremities, or a decrease in blood pressure, loss of consciousness, immediately stop scraping. Comfort the patient and avoid panic, help them lie down, keep them warm, offer a glass of warm water or sugar water. If the symptoms do not improve, use the corner of the scraping board to press on the Shuigou acupoint, applying light pressure to avoid edema. Apply the dispersing scraping method to the Baihui acupoint and Yongquan acupoint. After the patient's condition improves, continue scraping the Neiguan acupoint and Zusanli acupoint.
III. Precautions after scraping
1. Scraping treatment opens the pores of the skin, releases evil qi, and consumes some of the body's fluids. Therefore, after scraping, drink a glass of warm water and rest.
2. After scraping treatment, in order to prevent wind-cold pathogens from invading, wait for the pores of the skin to close and return to their original state before bathing, which usually takes about 3 hours.
3. For patients with complex and critical conditions, in addition to scraping treatment, other therapies should be used in combination, such as medication, to avoid delaying the condition.
Precautions for Moxibustion
1. Stay focused and patient
When performing moxibustion, pay attention to staying focused and not becoming distracted, as this can cause the moxa stick to move and not stay on the acupoint, which can result in injury and wasted time. For health maintenance moxibustion, long-term adherence is necessary, and occasional moxibustion will not achieve the desired effect.
2. Pay attention to correct body positions and accurate acupoint locations
The body position should be suitable for moxibustion requirements and also comfortable and natural. It is important to find the correct location for acupoints according to the prescription to ensure the effectiveness of moxibustion.
3. Fire prevention
Many modern clothes are made of synthetic fibers and down, which are highly flammable. Therefore, when performing moxibustion, it is essential to prevent the occurrence of fire, especially when using moxa rolls. Be cautious to prevent the moxa rolls from rolling and falling off. After using moxa sticks, you can extinguish them by inserting the burning end into a bottle slightly larger than the moxa stick's diameter.
4. Maintain warmth and prevent heatstroke
During moxibustion, certain areas of the body are exposed. In winter, it is important to keep warm, and in high temperatures during summer, it is important to prevent heatstroke. Also, pay attention to adjusting room temperature and use fans to ensure fresh air is circulating.
5. Prevent infection
Infection may occur from suppurative moxibustion or improper moxibustion, resulting in local burns and the formation of moxibustion sores. Do not break the sores. If the sores become infected, promptly use anti-inflammatory drugs.
6. Understand the sequence of moxibustion procedures
If there are multiple acupoints for moxibustion and they are scattered, they should be treated in the following order: back, then chest and abdomen, followed by the head and body, and finally the four limbs.
7. Pay attention to moxibustion timing
Some diseases require attention to moxibustion timing, such as insomnia, which should be treated with moxibustion just before sleep. Avoid moxibustion on an empty stomach before meals and immediately after meals.
8. Start with gradual progress for initial use of moxibustion
Pay attention to mastering the appropriate stimulation level. Start with a small amount and low dosage, such as using a small moxa roll or shortening the moxibustion time or the number of cones. Increase the dosage afterward. Do not start with high dosage from the beginning.
9. Prevent dizziness from occurring during moxibustion
Although dizziness is rare, once it occurs, symptoms such as dizziness, blurred vision, nausea, pale complexion, palpitations, and sweating may appear, and even fainting may occur. If dizziness occurs, immediately stop moxibustion, lie down, and rest. Apply moxibustion to the Zusanli acupoint for about 10 minutes.
10. Adjust the temperature during moxibustion
For individuals with dull skin sensation or children, place the index and middle fingers on both sides of the moxibustion area to perceive the temperature and avoid burning the skin while achieving good results.
