Special Preventive Moxa Technique: San Fu Tian (三伏贴)
Applied on the hottest days of summer (San Fu days) to strengthen Yang and prevent winter diseases like asthma or chronic bronchitis. Herbs and moxa are placed on points like BL13, BL43, DU14, ST3. Its counterpart, San Jiu Tian (三九贴), is used in the coldest days of winter to prevent cold-induced illnesses.
Moxibustion For Prevention
Moxibustion (艾灸) is the burning of mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris) near or on specific acupuncture points to warm the meridians, tonify Yang, dispel Cold, and stimulate Qi flow. How Moxa Supports Prevention:
-
Warms and strengthens Kidney Yang and Spleen Qi
-
Protects against Wind-Cold invasion.
-
Supports digestive fire (Spleen Yang) in cold seasons.
-
Strengthens Lung Qi and Wei Qi
-
Used in cold-damp constitutions, chronic fatigue, immune weakness.
Key Preventive Moxa Points
ST36 (Zusanli): Fatigue, weak immunity, digestion: Tonifies Qi, raises Yang, harmonizes Stomach
CV4 (Guanyuan): Cold womb, Jing deficiency: Warms the Kidneys, strengthens Essence
BL23 (Shenshu): Low back pain, adrenal fatigue: Tonifies Kidney Yang
GV4 (Mingmen): Cold limbs, fatigue, sexual depletion: Warms Yang, nourishes Life Gate fire
SP6 (Sanyinjiao): Deficiency of Blood, Qi, or Yin: Harmonizes Liver, Spleen, and Kidney — women’s health support
LU1 / BL13: Weak immunity, chronic lung issues: Warms Lung, boosts Wei Qi
Yintang: Insomnia, anxiety: Calms Shen, improves sleep (gentle moxa or heat therapy)
Mood swings, PMS, breast tenderness, sighing, digestive upset
LR3 (Taichong): Moves Liver Qi
LI4 (Hegu): Regulates Qi, opens circulation
PC6 (Neiguan): Calms Shen, harmonizes Liver-Heart
SP6: Harmonizes Liver and Spleen
Yintang: Calms mind, relieves stress
Moxa rarely used unless cold in lower abdomen
Liver Qi Stagnation / Emotional Stress Type
Fatigue, weak voice, spontaneous sweating, poor digestion, frequent colds
ST36 (Zusanli): Tonifies Qi, supports digestion and Wei Qi
CV6 (Qihai): Builds Yuan Qi, strengthens core vitality
SP3 (Taibai): Yuan-Source of Spleen, strengthens T&T
LU9 (Taiyuan): Yuan-Source of Lung, tonifies Lung Qi
BL20 / BL13: Shu points for Spleen and Lung
Gentle moxa on CV6 and ST36 for Qi support
Qi deficiency Type (esp. Spleen and Lung Qi)
Dizziness, pale complexion, insomnia, dry skin, scanty menses
SP6 (Sanyinjiao): Nourishes Blood and Yin, regulates menses
LR8 (Ququan): Tonifies Liver Blood
HT7 (Shenmen): Calms Shen, nourishes Heart Blood
ST36: Supports Spleen in making Blood
BL17 (Geshu): Influential point of Blood
Add moxa if digestion is weak to support Spleen function
Blood Deficiency Type (esp. Liver and Heart Blood)
SPRING
Support Liver, Disperse Wind
-
Smooth Liver Qi, prevent stagnation, depression, PMS.
-
Release Wind to protect Wei Qi
-
Prevent allergies, migraines, emotional agitation
LR3 (Taichong): Moves Liver Qi, calms Liver Yang
LI4 (Hegu): Regulates Wei Qi, disperses Wind
GB34 (Yanglingquan): Benefits sinews, smooths Liver Qi
BL18 (Liver Shu): Tonifies or regulates Liver function
Yintang: Calms Shen and alleviates stress
-
Minimal or no moxa (Spring is naturally warming)
-
If Liver Yang rising → avoid moxa and focus on dispersion
SUMMER
Clear Heart Heat, Protect Fluids
-
Clear Heat, calm Shen, support Heart and Small Intestine
-
Prevent irritability, insomnia, heatstroke, Heart palpitations.
-
Nourish Yin and Fluids as Heat consumes them
HT7 (Shenmen): Calms the Shen, nourishes Heart Blood
PC6 (Neiguan): Harmonizes Heart and Stomach, calms Shen
LI11 (Quchi): Clears Heat, cools Blood
ST36 (Zusanli): Tonifies Qi and supports fluids
CV14 (Juque): Front-Mu of Heart, regulates Shen
-
Moxa is generally avoided in summer
-
Focus is on cooling and Yin preservation.
LATE SUMMER
Strengthen Spleen, Drain Damp
-
Tonify Spleen Qi, transform Damp, support digestion.
-
Prevent fatigue, bloating, loose stools, foggy head.
-
Harmonize center and support immunity
SP6 (Sanyinjiao): Tonifies Spleen and harmonizes Middle Jiao
ST36 (Zusanli): Strengthens digestion, tonifies Wei Qi
CV12 (Zhongwan): Front-Mu of Stomach, transforms Damp
BL20 (Spleen Shu): BL20 (Spleen Shu)
SP9 (Yinlingquan): Drains Dampness, supports Spleen
Moxa recommended on ST36, CV12, or BL20 to boost Spleen Yang and prevent Damp accumulation.
Seasonal Adjustment Change
Seasonal adjustment acupuncture treatments are a core preventive strategy aligned with the principle of “Zhi Wei Bing” (治未病) — treating before disease arises. These treatments aim to harmonize the body’s internal environment with the external seasonal Qi, helping to:
-
Prevent illness related to seasonal climatic factors (Wind, Heat, Damp, Dryness, Cold)
-
Regulate the corresponding Zang-Fu organs and meridian systems.
-
Strengthen Wei Qi (defensive Qi) and promote adaptation to seasonal shifts.
-
Preserve Yin-Yang balance, which naturally fluctuates throughout the year.
These preventive treatments are most effective when administered at the beginning of each season or during seasonal transitions (around equinoxes or solstices), when the body's Qi is especially sensitive to external change.
Preventative Acupuncture and Moxibustion
Both acupuncture (针灸, zhēn jiǔ) and moxibustion (艾灸, ài jiǔ) are key therapeutic modalities not only for treating illness, but also for preventive care. Rooted in the principle of “treating before disease arises” (治未病, zhì wèi bìng), these methods are used to preserve health, strengthen immunity (Wei Qi 卫气), harmonize organ function, and correct subtle imbalances before pathology manifests. Preventive acupuncture and moxibustion aim to:
-
Maintain Yin-Yang balance.
-
Ensure the smooth flow of Qi and Blood
-
Strengthen Zheng Qi (upright/defensive Qi)
-
Tonify organ systems vulnerable to depletion
-
Harmonize emotions, digestion, and sleep.
-
Protect the body from external pathogens (Wind, Cold, Damp, etc.)
Preventative Acupuncture and Moxibustion
AUTUMN
Moisten Lung, Strengthen Wei Qi
-
Support Lung Qi and Yin
-
Prevent dry cough, skin dryness, grief, and immune weakness.
-
Strengthen Wei Qi in preparation for winter
LU9 (Taiyuan): Tonifies Lung Qi and Yin, source point
BL13 (Feishu): Back-Shu of Lung, boosts Wei Qi
KI6 (Zhaohai): Nourishes Yin, moistens dryness
LI4 (Hegu): Releases exterior, regulates Wei Qi
Yintang: Calms Shen, eases nasal and sinus dryness
Gentle moxa on BL13, ST36, or LU1 (especially in weak Lung Qi types or chronic allergies)
WINTER
Warm Kidney Yang, Nourish Jing
-
Tonify Kidney Yang and Essence (Jing)
-
Warm the Lower Jiao and prevent Cold invasion.
-
Conserve Yin, strengthen bones, reproduction, and resilience
KI3 (Taixi): Strengthens Kidney Qi and Jing
BL23 (Shenshu): Back-Shu of Kidney, warms and nourishes
GV4 (Mingmen): Tonifies Gate of Life (source of Yang)
CV4 (Guanyuan): Nourishes Yin and Yang, strengthens Essence
ST36 (Zusanli): General tonic for Qi and Wei Qi
Moxa strongly indicated!
-
Direct or indirect moxa on CV4, GV4, BL23, ST36 to warm Yang and prevent winter depletion.
-
Also used for prevention of asthma, chronic bronchitis, arthritis
Monthly or Bimonthly Acupuncture Tonic Sessions
Monthly or bi-monthly acupuncture tonic sessions are a core preventive strategy rooted in the classical concept of “treating disease before it arises” (治未病, zhì wèi bìng). These sessions are used to maintain constitutional balance, support organ systems, and promote long-term wellness, even in the absence of active disease. They are especially useful for:
-
Supporting patients with chronic constitutional weaknesses (e.g. Qi, Blood, Yin, or Yang deficiency)
-
Managing stress, aging, or environmental transitions
-
Preventing seasonal illnesses and stabilizing recurring conditions (e.g. asthma, migraines, menstrual disorders)
Yang Deficiency Type (esp. Kidney and Spleen Yang)
KI3 (Taixi): Tonifies Kidney Yang and Qi
CV4 (Guanyuan): Tonifies Yuan Qi and Jing
BL23 (Shenshu): Tonifies Kidney (back-Shu)
ST36: Warms middle Jiao, supports Yang
GV4 (Mingmen): Warms Gate of Vitality, restores Fire
Moxa strongly indicated on GV4, CV4, and BL23 in cold-weather months
Yang Deficiency Type (esp. Kidney and Spleen Yang)
Night sweats, dry throat, insomnia, tinnitus, hot flashes
KI6 (Zhaohai): Nourishes Kidney Yin
SP6: Tonifies Yin of Liver, Spleen, Kidney
LU9: Nourishes Lung Yin
CV4: Strengthens Kidney and replenishes Yin
HT6: Clears deficiency Heat, nourishes Heart Yin
Avoid moxa unless cold signs dominate