Japanese Moxibustion Techniques - Chinetsukyu "Cone Moxa"

Japanese Theory

Japanese Moxibustion Techniques - Chinetsukyu "Cone Moxa"

Chinetsukyu or "Cone Moxa" is a moxibustion technique used in Japanese Acupuncture treatments. The information presented below discusses basic theory behind the technique, guidelines for applying the technique and examples of clinical use. Some of the techniques listed here require significant amounts of training to be performed correctly and should only be performed by practitioners who have been trained properly.

  • Clinical Usage:
  • Generally effects more of the Qi level of the body, whereas kyutoshin effects the Blood level
  • Useful for tonifying a/or moving Qi in the body
  • May resolve hematomas a/or contusions
  • Precautions and Contraindications:
  • Generally not on patients with strong heat signs - high fever, etc.
  • Not on or near inflammed a/or red areas of the body
  • In patients with diabetic neuropathy - or in any situation where the patient may not respond to the sensations of heat
  • Any point where moxibustion is contraindicated
  • Patient should be advised to not bathe or shower for up to 24 hours after a moxibustion treatment
  • Chinetsukyu Techniques:
  • Use semi-pure moxa pressed into loose cones (tighter is warmer)
  • Consistient size and tightness is important to ensure uniform stimulation
  • Moxa cones can be rice sized up to palm sized for the Yanagishta technique listed below
  • Before placing the moxa cone on the skin of the patient you should float it in water first to get the base wet, then place it on your hand to dry the bottom before applying to the patients skin
  • Remove the moxa cone when either 2/3 of the cone is burnt down or the patient says it is too hot.
  • General Chinetsukyu Techniques (generally 1-3 rounds chinetsukyu):
  • General Deficiency esp. LU a/or SP - GV 14 and 1 point on either side
  • General Deficiency esp w/weak pulses - also useful for any LV yang type problem (tinnitus, vertigo, meniere's) - 1 round of chinetsukyu at CV 12, CV 6 and ST 25 bilaterally
  • General Deficiency esp. lower jiao - CV 6
  • General lower jiao issues - UB 23 & GV 3
  • Correct a mistaken or strong treatment - GV 14 until patient feels better
  • Stiff neck/shoulders - UB 10, GB 20 a/or GB 21
  • Specific Techniques:
  • Dr. Yanagishta Treatment:
  • Uses loose moxa cones approximately 1/2 palm size
  • Place wherever tight tendons, muscles, etc. are felt
  • Light in about 5 places on the top
  • After lighting check the pulse and remove the cone when the pulse slows and/or feels more consolidated
  • Dr. Fukunishi Pain Management Treatment - useful for musculoskeletal pain, reduces inflammation, pain and increases ROM
  • Palpate around the joint experiencing pain
  • Mark 9 points that are painful
  • Select 3 points of the 9 that are close together and perform 3 rounds of chinetsukyu on each point
  • After, select points 4,5 & 6 and perform 3 rounds of chinetsukyu on each point
  • Finally, select points 7, 8 & 9 and perform 3 rounds of chinetsukyu on each point
  • Dr. Ikeda Extraordinary Vessel Treatment
  • Apply 2 rounds of chinetsukyu to the master point
  • Then, 1 round of chinetsukyu to the coupled point
  • Otitis media - or any ear problem
  • 1-3 rounds of chinetsukyu at KD 2
  • Dysmenorrhea
  • 1-3 rounds of chinetsukyu on KD 7
  • Related Techniques:
  • May use prerolled moxa w/adhesives in place of chinetsukyu
  • Korean Belly Bowls
  • Rubber platform w/1-4 holes in it for moxa sticks
  • May be placed anywhere on the body but most useful area is over the navel
  • Useful for patients w/diarrhea but best for any problems with the head & body communicating with eachother - speech disorders, dizziness, tinnitus, headaches, cold hands/feet

Sources and More Information

The information on our site is drawn from our own lecture notes and clinical experience. The following lecture notes were used within this section:

  • Iuliano, Diane: New England School of Acupuncture, Extraordinary Vessel Techniques Lecture Notes
  • Kuwahara, Koei: New England School of Acupuncture, Advanced Japanese Techniques Lecture Notes

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