Moxi Stick

I mentioned the sanding needed on the Massagers and my hands needed some care after doing a bunch! Now, I'll say that it's best to have a TCM (traditional Chinese medicine) practitioner or other therapist do this for you (and why not have them, since it's so relaxing anyhow?) but after having practice and instruction, I keep some moxi sticks at home when it's necessary to do this daily.

In any case, I did some moxi for my arms and forearms to take my own advice and have some self-care! The moxi smokes a bit so I do the practice outdoors, breathing in fresh air and the moxi's unique, calming scent. It's a very relaxing practice, which makes it very necessary!I've had moxi practiced on me throughout the years and it different countries. "Moxi" itself are the herbs that are burned within the stick, but the herbs are sometimes used differently as well. Only once (and I so miss it!) did a Chinese practitioner put moxi at the ends of several acupuncture needles placed along my back, to warm them. It may sound odd, but I *adored* it. Part of it mat have been that I am always a bit cold (and this was in January) and the burning moxi warmed the needles just enough to bring a gentle, pervading warmth into my tight muscles.

If you know a practitioner nearby that offers moxi stick treatments, I highly recommend them. Though I have often perform moxi treatments on myself, you have to be careful of many things in the process. The most obvious is to be very aware of the heat and not let the burning tip of the stick get too close to the skin. Then you must blow the ash from the tip at intervals and between them make certain no ash falls on exposed skin. (It hurts!) So you can see why I have a knowledgable acupuncturist or TCM practitioner do the job! Lastly, I'll say that his will be the first of my "What I Do To Get Me Through" posts.

Here's to healing and self care y'all!