How do you use moxa sticks to help turn a breech baby?

How do you use moxa sticks to turn a breech baby?

Moxa sticks are made from a herb called Mugwort. The herb is rolled into a cigar-like shape and when burned, provides a strong, intense, constant heat that is used to warm specific acupuncture points and areas of the body. The warming action helps to stimulate circulation at that particular area and the meridian channel on which the point lies.

Traditionally, the acupuncture point, Zhi Yin (Bladder 67) is stimulated with acupuncture or moxibustion for any malposition of the foetus (including breech or posterior babies). The application of warmth via moxa sticks to this point can be helpful to try and encourage your baby to turn and you can do it in the comfort of your own home.

The point is located on the skin near the nail of the pinky toe.

The moxa stick is held above the point at a distance where you can feel a heat that is quite hot. This is typically about 1.5-2 cms above the skin. Heat the point for 20 minutes and repeat on the other toe. You want to try and maintain a heat that is HOT, not warm.

A course of moxibustion is typically 10 days. If you find out your baby has turned head down during these 10 days, it is usually encouraged to continue using the moxa sticks for the remainder of the course, but halve the amount of time to 10 minutes each toe.

You can purchase moxa sticks from my store here.

You can download and print pdf instructions below

If you have any questions please reach out to me via jacinda@pointspecifics.com