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Acupuncture and moxibustion

The Academy of Contemporary China and World StudiesUpdated:  August 30, 2024

Acupuncture and moxibustion

Acupuncture and moxibustion are two forms of therapy in traditional Chinese medicine. They are the most commonly used external methods for disease prevention and treatment. Both methods act by stimulating the meridians and acupuncture points. They are often used in combination in traditional Chinese medicine and health care.

Acupuncture therapy involves the use of fine metal needles to stimulate specific acupuncture points on the body, utilizing various techniques to regulate the meridians and adjust the flow of qi and blood. Moxibustion therapy slowly warms specific acupuncture points on the body using moxa sticks or moxa cones made from compressed mugwort. The gentle heat and medicinal properties of moxibustion help to warm the meridians, alleviate cold symptoms, and enhance the circulation of qi and blood. Acupuncture and moxibustion therapy offers convenience, with rapid and significant effects at low medical cost and almost no side effects. Moreover, they can be used in conjunction with other therapies to provide comprehensive treatment. Due to these unique advantages, the value of acupuncture and moxibustion therapy has been widely recognized.

Acupuncture and moxibustion therapy was introduced to countries such as Japan, Korea and Vietnam as early as the Tang Dynasty (618-907). The therapy has now spread to over 140 countries and regions, and plays an important role in healthcare worldwide. More and more people have benefited from the therapeutic effects of acupuncture and the wonders of traditional Chinese medicine.

针灸

针灸是中医针刺疗法和艾灸疗法的总称,是中医治疗疾病、预防保健最常用的两种外治方法。这两种方法均是通过刺激经络、穴位,达到防病、治病的目的,在中医治疗保健中经常配合使用,故合称为针灸。

针刺疗法是用金属制成的细针,运用不同手法,刺入身体一定穴位,以一定的手法疏通经络、调理气血。艾灸疗法是点燃用艾绒搓成的艾条或艾炷,缓慢温熏人体穴位,借助艾条燃烧的温和热力、药物作用,温经散寒、温通气血。针灸疗法简便易行,疗效迅速显著,医疗成本较低,几乎没有副作用,而且可以协同其他疗法进行综合治疗。由于具有这些独特优势,长期以来,针灸疗法一直深受人们的认可。

早在唐代,中国针灸就已经传播到日本、朝鲜、越南等国家。截至目前,针灸已经传播到世界140多个国家和地区,为保障各国人民生命安全和身体健康发挥了重要作用, 越来越多的人体验到了针灸的疗效和中医的神奇。

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