Moxibustion, as a traditional therapy in Chinese medicine, has profound theoretical and physiological mechanisms underlying its application. Understanding the principles of these precautions enables you to use it more scientifically and safely.

Principles of Indications and Controversies

1. TCM Logic of Eight - Principle Syndrome Differentiation and "Moxibustion Cures All Diseases"

The "Eight - Principle Syndrome Differentiation" in TCM judges the nature of diseases and the relationship between pathogenic factors and healthy qi in the human body from eight dimensions: yin and yang, exterior and interior, cold and heat, deficiency and excess. The human body is like a complex "small universe". If the operation of meridians, qi, and blood is blocked by pathogenic cold, it will cause problems such as pain and fear of cold (cold syndromes). The warm stimulation of moxibustion can transfer heat into the meridians through acupoints (energy channels), promote the operation of qi and blood, and dispel pathogenic cold. It is like unblocking a congested road to restore the body's balance. This is also the underlying logic of the saying "moxibustion cures all diseases" — by regulating qi and blood and balancing yin and yang, it takes effect on various problems related to cold syndromes.

2. Physiological and Pathological Considerations in the Controversy over Moxibustion for Heat Syndromes

From the perspective of TCM pathology, heat syndromes are due to "exuberant yang and declining yin", with excessive pathogenic heat in the body. Moxibustion is a form of warm stimulation. If used for exogenous warm diseases (such as high fever caused by wind - heat cold) and yin deficiency with internal heat (insufficient yin fluid in the body, leading to relatively excessive yang and resulting in heat), it is equivalent to "adding fuel to the fire". From a modern physiological perspective, during heat syndromes, the body is already in a state of active inflammation and hypermetabolism. The heat from moxibustion will accelerate local blood circulation, possibly causing the spread of inflammatory mediators and aggravating symptoms such as fever and redness. Therefore, moxibustion should be used cautiously for such heat syndromes. Essentially, it is to avoid disrupting the already imbalanced "heat balance" of the body.

Principles of Contraindications

1. Physiological Stress Mechanisms in Physical State Contraindications

When a person is in a state of empty stomach, over - fatigue, etc., the body is in a "fragile stress state". For example, on an empty stomach, the blood sugar level is low and the body's energy reserve is insufficient. The warm stimulation of moxibustion will make the body mobilize more energy to cope, easily causing dizziness and nausea — this is a stress response triggered by the body due to the imbalance between energy supply and demand. During over - fatigue or over - fullness, qi and blood are concentrated in supplying the digestive system or distributed in a disordered manner due to fatigue. Moxibustion will additionally "mobilize qi and blood", disrupting the original distribution and increasing the burden on the body. It is like making a factory (body organs) that is already busy suddenly take on an excessive order (moxibustion stimulation), leading to abnormal operation.

2. Anatomical and Safety Logic in Regional Contraindications

The carotid artery area in the neck and the heart area have special anatomical structures and critical functions. There are dense blood vessels in the carotid artery area. The heat from moxibustion can easily cause excessive dilation of blood vessels, affecting blood pressure stability, and may even cause vascular spasm due to heat stimulation, interfering with blood circulation. The heart, as a "power pump", has abundant surrounding nerves and blood vessels. Incorrect stimulation from moxibustion may be transmitted to the heart, affecting heart rate and myocardial blood supply. Moxibustion is prohibited on the abdomen and waist of pregnant women because there are reproductive organs such as the uterus in the abdomen. Warm stimulation may penetrate the abdominal wall, affecting the internal environment of the uterus and interfering with the stable development of the fetus, just like improperly heating a precise "nursery box" (uterus) and threatening the safety of the fetus.

Physiological Recovery Logic in Handling Moxibustion Syncope

1. Physical Warning Signals of Moxibustion Syncope Manifestations

Dizziness, pallor, and cold sweats during moxibustion syncope are "overload warnings" from the body. The stimulation of moxibustion causes the body to redistribute qi and blood in a short time. Coupled with psychological stress (such as fear of burns or unfamiliarity with moxibustion), it will trigger "vagus nerve excitement", leading to a slow heart rate, decreased blood pressure, and instant insufficient blood supply to the brain, just like an electrical appliance suddenly losing power, resulting in dizziness and fainting. Cold sweats are a stress - induced heat dissipation response activated by the body to regulate the abnormal state.

2. Scientific Restoration Path of Handling Methods

"Immediately stopping moxibustion" cuts off the additional stimulation source and prevents the body from continuing to over - mobilize qi and blood due to moxibustion. "Lying quietly" allows the body to relax, reduces energy consumption, helps qi and blood to be redistributed evenly, and restores blood supply to the brain. "Drinking hot water/hot tea" supplements water on the one hand, increasing blood volume and relieving low blood pressure. On the other hand, warm drinks can warm the spleen and stomach and promote the production of qi and blood, just like connecting a "charging cable" to a "low - battery" body and gradually restoring physiological balance.

By mastering these principles, you can understand that moxibustion is not a simple "heat therapy", but a complex therapy based on TCM theory and in line with the physiological laws of the human body. Following the precautions is not only respecting traditional wisdom but also using scientific thinking to safeguard health, allowing this ancient therapy to better serve you.