Chinese Medicine Clinic Services

Moxibustion Therapy in Greenville, SC

Moxibustion Therapy at IHP Greenville — authentic TCM, in-house herbal pharmacy. Dr. Hendry, DAOM, 25+ yrs experience. Call (864) 365-6156.

Moxibustion is the application of heat to acupuncture points using burning dried mugwort (Artemisia argyi — known as moxa). At Integrative Health Partners, Dr. Hendry uses moxibustion as a powerful therapeutic adjunct to acupuncture for conditions requiring warming, tonifying treatment — chronic cold-type back pain, deficiency patterns, gynecological conditions, immune deficiency, and breech presentation in pregnancy. Moxibustion penetrates deeply into the tissues with infrared heat and bioactive compounds in the moxa smoke that have measurable effects on acupoint stimulation.

How Moxibustion Therapy Works

Moxibustion is applied using a moxa stick held 1–3 inches from the skin over acupoints (indirect moxibustion), moxa cones placed directly on acupoints (direct moxibustion), or moxa placed on the handle of an inserted needle (needle moxibustion — providing warmth that travels down the needle into the tissue). Sessions typically add 10–20 minutes to an acupuncture treatment.

Your First Appointment

Moxibustion produces a mild aromatic smoke — the clinic is ventilated, but patients with severe asthma or smoke sensitivity should inform Dr. Hendry. Smokeless moxa is available as an alternative.

Why Dr. Hendry for Moxibustion Therapy

Dr. Hendry's classical Chinese medicine training includes extensive moxibustion coursework. His BL67 moxibustion protocol for breech presentation in pregnancy is based on the clinical evidence from multiple randomized trials.

Frequently Asked Questions

Moxibustion is most indicated for cold-type conditions: cold-pattern back pain (worse in cold weather, improved by warmth), chronic deficiency syndromes (fatigue, weakness), gynecological coldness (cold uterus, menstrual cramps worsened by cold), and immune deficiency. It is also used for breech presentation (BL67 protocol) and digestive coldness.
Yes, when performed by a trained practitioner. The moxa stick never touches the skin — it is held at a distance that produces comfortable warmth. Dr. Hendry monitors skin response constantly. Contraindicated in hot-type conditions, excess Heat patterns, or on areas with impaired sensation.
Research demonstrates moxibustion produces infrared radiation similar to medical infrared therapy, promotes microcirculation via nitric oxide release, stimulates immune markers, and is effective for breech presentation (multiple RCTs, including Cochrane review).
A deeply pleasant, penetrating warmth — most patients describe it as one of the most comfortable parts of Chinese medicine treatment. It produces a relaxing, spreading warmth distinctly different from electric heat.
Yes — Dr. Hendry teaches patients home moxa application for specific indications (back pain maintenance, breech presentation, menstrual support). He provides safe instructions and demonstration before any home moxibustion protocol.
Integrative Health Partners, 319 Wade Hampton Blvd, Ste A, Greenville, SC 29609. Call (864) 365-6156.

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