ballarat born acuneedling — I admit I used to be a little sceptical about how burning a herb over a point on the little toe could help a baby move head-down from a breech or transverse position, but since becoming an Acuneedling midwife I’ve been able to use this treatment in my practice and see it first-hand.

I know alternative treatments aren’t for everyone but I think it’s important to share information and give women options so that you can have choice and decide what is best for you.

So — what is Moxibustion?

Moxa is a plant (mugwort) that is used as a heat source to stimulate acupuncture points in the body. It has been used in traditional treatments for over two thousand years in China (Betts, 2006).

When you are treated with the Moxa stick, it has been compressed into a cigar-like roll. I use the smokeless ones as the traditional ones do have a strong smell!

Using Moxa on BL-67 (the point on the little toe) is believed to activate the uterus and encourage the baby to move into and stay in the best possible position for birth (Betts, 2006).

I combine the treatment with some Acuneedling and then teach you how to use Moxa at home.

When used to help turn a baby from breech or transverse position, the Moxa is applied to the acupuncture point on the little toe for 15 minutes bilaterally once a day, for ten days. The Moxa rolls are held about a thumb width away from the point until it starts to feel hot (it may feel like a warm,, warm, zing!). You then remove it for a few seconds then reapply to the point again — this is called the pecking technique.

Studies have found it most effective at turning a breech baby around 34 weeks. It can still be used after this but 34-36 weeks is ideal (Betts).

Using Moxa on BL-67 encourages the baby to move and stay in the best possible position for birth, therefore it’s important to continue treatment for ten days even if baby turns before this (Betts, 2006).

A systematic review by Garcia et al. (2019) found that “There is evidence that moxibustion reduces the number of noncephalic presentations at the time of birth compared with no treatment. The adverse effects that acupuncture and moxibustion can cause seem to be irrelevant. Most SRs agree that there are no adverse effects directly related to acupuncture and moxibustion.” There is need for more research around this though and as always this is provided as general information only.

Safety

The Moxa can be quite a strong smell so make sure you’re in a room that is well-ventilated and that you or whoever is doing it for you is not distracted.
Never touch the end of the roll/stick.
Ensure you have a glass jar with some uncooked rice to extinguish it in before you start.

Have you heard of Moxa or used it before? I’d love to know — you can even share over on Instagram!

*Information shared is of a general nature only and is not medical advice — please see your own care provider for specific and individualised information and advice. All personal stories & photos shared with permission.

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