Moxa on Sanyinjiao (SP-6) for Fertility Enhancement

Moxabusion, or “moxa” is a commonly used technique in Oriental medicine for warming acupuncture points. For fertility support, the technique is applied at the point SP-6 daily, beginning when the menstrual period is tapering off, and stopping about 3 days prior to ovulation. For most women, this window of time is from about day 5 or 6 of the cycle to day 10 or 11. At your acupuncture appointment, you will be directed when and how to use moxa on Sp-6, and we will make sure you have the correct point location.

Locating Sanyinjiao SP-6:

The point is located on the inside of the lower leg, behind the tibia bone. To locate, place four fingers of one hand (the hand of the person being treated) above the tip of the medial malleolus (the protruding bone on the inside of the ankle). The point is found at the level of the top of the four fingers, and behind the edge of the tibia bone. The area is often quite tender upon pressure, and this tenderness will help pinpoint the location.

Diagram credit: P. Deadman, Manual of Acupuncture

Treating the Point with Warming Moxa:

Lighting a moxa stick can take several minutes, and is accomplished by holding the end of the stick over a flame, such as a candle, until it is red and hot. It is useful to keep a ceramic bowl or container close by tap the moxa ashes into occasionally. Hold the heated end of the stick over the acupuncture point, about ½ inch above the skin, moving it away as needed so that it does not become too hot. Keep the point quite warm, but not uncomfortably hot, for about 10-15 minutes, and repeat on the other side. When finished, the moxa stick is best snuffed out in a bowl of sand, but may simply be run under water.