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How Does Moxibustion Possibly Work?
Author
Source
Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine
Issue
Vol. 2013, Issue 2013 (31 Dec. 2013), pp.1-8, 8 p.
Publisher
Hindawi Publishing Corporation
Publication Date
2013-03-27
Country of Publication
Egypt
No. of Pages
8
Main Subjects
Abstract EN
“Acupmoxa” is a hybrid word of “acupuncture” and “moxibustion” that more closely resembles the Chinese ideograph for this treatment.
People in Western countries are more familiar with acupuncture, while moxibustion is less popular, partially due to the paucity of scientific studies.
Although the evidence-based efficacy of moxibustion needs to be further clarified, the mechanisms by which moxibustion may work include temperature-related and nontemperature-related ones.
Local somatothermal stimulation (LSTS), one type of moxibustion, is achieved by application of a heat source to and above the acupoint.
Such mild heat stimulation of the acupoint induces little skin damage, in contrast to the burning effect of moxibustion, but does provoke mild oxidative stress in the viscera.
Thus, preconditioned LSTS at the peripheral acupoints LR 14 and PC 6 of animals is able to induce visceral HSP70 expression and to protect the liver and the heart against ischemia-reperfusion injury.
Nontemperature-related mechanisms include smoke, herbs, and biophysical (far infrared) stimulation.
We conclude that LSTS, a remote preconditioning method, has potential clinical usefulness.
However, evidence-based efficacy and safety studies involving large-scaled clinical trials are needed in order that this approach will pass muster with Western scientists.
American Psychological Association (APA)
Chiu, Jen-Hwey. 2013. How Does Moxibustion Possibly Work?. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine،Vol. 2013, no. 2013, pp.1-8.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-453903
Modern Language Association (MLA)
Chiu, Jen-Hwey. How Does Moxibustion Possibly Work?. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine No. 2013 (2013), pp.1-8.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-453903
American Medical Association (AMA)
Chiu, Jen-Hwey. How Does Moxibustion Possibly Work?. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine. 2013. Vol. 2013, no. 2013, pp.1-8.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-453903
Data Type
Journal Articles
Language
English
Notes
Includes bibliographical references
Record ID
BIM-453903