Moxibustion Services Edmonton
Moxibustion (or moxa) is a form of traditional Chinese medicine that uses a combination of heat and a Chinese herb called mugwort to treat certain health conditions. This popular and effective therapy is to relieve pain and discomfort through organic and natural methods. Moxa may be applied directly to the skin or used in conjunction with acupuncture needles or thermal warmers. If you are interested in natural ways to heal your body, take a look at how moxibustion works and which conditions it is best for treating.
History of Moxibustion
The concept of moxibustion started in ancient China, where it was used to treat rheumatism as early as the Ming Dynasty. At that time, doctors would roll up mugwort leaves in paper, packing them so tightly that they’d resemble a stick. They would then light the moxa stick on fire and press it against the skin in the area that needed treatment. They believed that when the patient started to sweat, that meant the treatment was working. This practice evolved as doctors realized they didn’t need to press the burning stick against the patient’s skin since placing it a few inches away was just as effective. Soon, moxibustion spread to nearby areas, such as Japan, Korea, Tibet, Mongolia, and Vietnam. Now, most Western nations are home to people who believe in the healing properties of moxibustion as well.
How Moxibustion Works
The theory behind moxibustion is that the heat can stimulate circulation, which can increase the flow of energy—or qi—throughout the body. As a result, many health conditions can be treated with this therapy.
Additionally, mugwort has several inherent healing properties, which is why ancient healers chose this herb to roll into moxa sticks. For example, mugwort is known to calm the nerves, increase energy, improve circulation, reduce itching, and support liver health. So, combining this herb with the healing ability of heat has made sense to natural-minded people for centuries.
Moxibustion Benefits
This alternative therapy can be used to treat a variety of health conditions. For example, it is often used to treat gastrointestinal issues, including constipation, diarrhea, and irritable bowel syndrome. It can even help patients who are struggling with infertility or irregular menstrual cycles, and it has been known to help turn breech babies toward the end of pregnancy.
Additionally, this natural treatment method has been used to treat joint and muscle pain caused by arthritis, tendonitis, back injuries, and more. Other issues it can treat include eczema, headaches, migraines, nausea, hot flashes, and fatigue. It can even help with preventing the cold or flu since it can strengthen the immune system.
In general, any medical issue that can be improved with the application of heat can be treated by moxibustion. This is why many people familiar with this treatment say it can improve conditions like hypothyroidism, hypoglycemia, slow digestion, bloating, and cold sensitivity. As you can see, there are lots of uses for moxibustion in healthcare, which is why it’s so popular among people who value alternative therapies.
Common Treatment Forms
Moxibustion can be applied either directly onto the skin, or indirectly through acupuncture needles, thermy sticks, or through radiant heat.
With direct application, the practitioner puts a moxa cone on the part of the body that needs healing. After lighting the cone, the practitioner lets it burn briefly until the skin starts to turn red, at which point he or she removes the cone from the treatment area. Some practitioners may also opt to place a layer of garlic, ginger, or salt on the skin before placing the moxa cone on it. Note that direct application of the moxa cone can cause pain and even scarring in some cases, so it’s not nearly as common anymore as indirect moxibustion.
With indirect application the moxa does not touch the skin. Instead, the practitioner lights the cone or stick and may hold it just above the treatment area, moving it away once the skin becomes warm from the radiant heat.
Our clinicians may also place a thin moxa stick within a warmer holding sleeve or Thermy Stick and then ignite it. The holding sleeve is then placed into an outer protective cover and applied to the area to be warmed. Thermy Sticks come in several forms – Tiger Warmers are more point specific, and can be used all over the body as well as on the face, ears, nose or throat areas. Lion Warmers are more diffuse and are useful along the back shu points and for stretch moxa treatments for the legs.
Our clinicians may also combine moxibustion with traditional acupuncture needling, which is another very popular alternative treatment that arose from ancient Chinese medicine. With this type of application, the practitioner puts the moxa on an acupuncture needle and ignites it, letting it burn itself out within seconds. The heat travels along the needle to the point that makes contact with the patient’s skin.
If you are thinking about trying moxibustion, it’s important to know what to expect from any of these treatment methods. In general, you can expect to feel warmth in the area that’s being treated, often followed by a noticeable reduction in the pain or discomfort you have been feeling there. Keep in mind that you may smell smoke as well as an odor of herbs as the moxa burns, so if you’re very sensitive to smoke or scents in the air, let your practitioner know before trying moxibustion. Smokeless moxa may be an option.
At Red Leaf Wellness we feel it is so important to choose a practitioner you can trust when considering moxibustion or other Acupuncture therapies. Contact us today if you have any questions about the services we offer patients in and around Edmonton!
Specialists on our Team:
Dr.Ac Lalonde 🇬🇧
“As a clinician and leader, I see myself not only as a caregiver but also as a teacher—empowering patients with the knowledge and tools they need to take charge of their health. By educating and guiding them, I can help transform their lives far beyond the treatment room, creating lasting wellness that they can carry with them. – Dr. Tammy Lalonde”
Caring for people is my true passion and one of life’s greatest callings. With years of experience as both a Paramedic and Acupuncturist, I’ve supported patients through obvious and invisible injuries alike. I’ve been there during moments of deep crisis—whether delivering babies in cars parked roadside, providing care at 30,000 feet aboard a domestic flight, or flying emergency medevacs over the Arabian desert. Through these experiences, I’ve learned not only how to care for those in urgent need but also how to recognize the long-term impact that lifestyle, diet, and fitness can have on overall health.
As my career has evolved, so has my focus. I now concentrate on helping more people earlier, preventing minor concerns from escalating into more complex and costly illnesses. A key part of this shift is my role in leading our Hormone Health program, which empowers patients to address hormonal imbalances that affect energy, mood, and overall well-being. This program has far-reaching impacts, not only improving individual lives but also strengthening the health of entire communities. By helping people regain balance, we’re preventing chronic diseases and fostering long-term wellness. Through a combination of my background in emergency medicine and women’s health, I offer a unique, integrative approach. I draw on the strengths of oriental medicine, along with the expertise of top practitioners, to deliver care that restores balance to the body, mind, and spirit.
My academic journey has allowed me to seamlessly blend oriental medicine with Western healthcare, creating a holistic approach to patient care. My expertise lies in navigating high-stress, complex situations, and I have a deep passion for managing care and treating conditions such as anxiety, depression, and PTSD—especially among Armed Forces and Emergency Services personnel. In addition to my extensive background, I have advanced training in Bio-Identical Hormone Replacement Therapy (BHRT) through Worldlink Medical, which enhances my ability to help patients achieve hormonal balance and long-term wellness. With a long-standing career spanning North America and the Middle East, I have been privileged to serve as a respected clinician, clinical educator, and fire and emergency medical dispatcher. I hold active licensure and registration with the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM), the College of Acupuncturists of Alberta (CAA), the California Acupuncture Board, and the Alberta Herbalists Association (AHA). Additionally, I have served as a Board Director with the Alberta Pain Society and am a current member of the CAA Competence Committee.
Education:
- Doctorate of Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine (DACM), American College of Traditional Chinese Medicine
- Master of Science (MS) – Traditional Chinese Medicine, American College of Traditional Chinese Medicine
- Master of Science (MS) – Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine, cum laude, South Baylo University
- Bachelor of Science (BS) – Holistic Science, South Baylo University
- Diploma – Emergency Medical Technician (Paramedic), Augustana University
Licensure
- RAc – Registered Acupuncturist of the College of Acupuncturists of Alberta (CAA)
- RH – Registered Herbalist of the Alberta Herbalists Association (AHA)
- LAc – Licensed Acupuncturist of the California Acupuncture Board
- Dipl.Ac – Diplomate of Acupuncture of the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM)
Dr.Ac Lalonde 🇬🇧
CEO, Acupuncture, Herbalism
“As a clinician and leader, I see myself not only...
Dr.Ac Winton 🇬🇧
Helping people comes naturally to Michelle! As a highly skilled Acupuncturist, Massage Therapist, and Advanced Care Paramedic she is widely recognized for developing unique care plans which draw on her knowledge and therapeutic touch gained across each of these specialized disciplines. Having over twenty years of combined expertise in caring for her patients, Michelle has had a front row seat to observe how stress and emotion affect the mind and body. Complementing her acupuncture services at Red Leaf Wellness, Michelle offers a variety of therapeutic and relaxation massage therapies, including pregnancy massage, myofascial release and myofascial cupping.
Michelle began her health career as a massage therapist, graduating the 2200hr Massage Program at Macewan University in 2001. Being active in competitive sport in her youth, Michelle understood the benefits of massage on sport performance, recovery and injury prevention. She subsequently branched into emergency care and became an Advanced Care Paramedic where she was able to offer a calming presence in stressful, emergent situations. Michelle has always believed that soft skills, an extra moment spent with family, or a hand to hold on the way to the hospital, can be as healing as the specific medical interventions themselves. Working as a Paramedic Michelle saw, and began to question, how it is that people differ in disease and the aging process and why the same drug benefited one person, but not the other. Her lifelong learning journey had her begin to look for these answers in the time-tested practice of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and Acupuncture, thus kicking off another quest for knowledge at MacEwan University’s Acupuncture Program.
Education:
- Diploma – Acupuncture, Macewan University
- Diploma – Emergency Medical Technician (Paramedic), Augustana University
- Honors standings
- Certificate – Massage Therapy Grant MacEwan College
Licensure:
- RAc, College of Acupuncturists of Alberta (CAA)
- RMT, National Health Practitioners of Canada (NHPC)
- ACP, Alberta College of Paramedics
Dr.Ac Winton 🇬🇧
Acupuncture, Massage
Helping people comes naturally to Michelle! As a highly skilled...
Dr.Ac Masuda 🇬🇧 🇯🇵
Dr. Yoko Masuda is a master practitioner – skilled in the rare craft of Japanese style acupuncture – where she incorporates and tailors gentle needling, moxibustion (specific deep heat), therme (heat massage) and cupping into her acupuncture treatment plans. These skills, as well as her reputation for delivering tangible results, make her a sought-after provider, especially in the areas of pain management, sports injuries, orthopaedic injuries and emotional health. Yoko firmly believes that the mind and the body are intertwined in healing and she continually advocates for a healthy lifestyle alongside of the care she provides.
Yoko received her acupuncture degree in Japan and, after working at several clinics in Tokyo, she accepted a staff acupuncturist position with the world renowned Cirque du Soleil touring show. For nearly twenty years, she went on to travel the far reaches of the globe, working on several other productions, and earning the respect of an international group of artists, staff and athletes before eventually selecting Edmonton for her permanent clinical practice. As a former high school physical education teacher, and also as an alumnus of the Japanese national rhythmic gymnastics team (where she competed internationally on numerous occasions), she has amassed an impressive background in sports therapy and physical education, uniquely positioning her to address all manner of orthopedic and performance related concerns.
Outside of work, Yoko enjoys travelling, the outdoors, and spending time with her husband and two elementary-aged daughters.
Education:
- Diploma of Acupuncture, Hanada College, Tokyo, Japan
Licensure:
- RAc, College and Association of Acupuncturists of Alberta (CAA)
Fluency: 🇬🇧 – English | 🇯🇵 – Japanese
Dr.Ac Masuda 🇬🇧 🇯🇵
Acupuncture
Dr. Yoko Masuda is a master practitioner – skilled in...
Dr.Ac Wiebe 🇬🇧
Olivia Wiebe is a dedicated practitioner of Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine, offering a compassionate and holistic approach to wellness. Graduating from MacEwan University in 2017 with a diploma in Acupuncture, Olivia’s journey into this ancient healing practice began during her high school years, where she first experienced its transformative effects. This initial exposure led her to a profound understanding of the body’s complex interplay with lifestyle and environment, shaping her therapeutic approach.
Equipped with deep knowledge in yin/yang theory, 5-element theory, meridian channels, and organ diagnosis, Olivia views health as a harmonious balance between physical, emotional, and environmental factors. Her commitment to expanding her expertise led her to pursue an additional 2.5 years of study in Chinese Herbology at Pacific Rim College in Victoria, BC. This rigorous training, coupled with her experience in Western Herbology, has enabled her to integrate a rich tapestry of herbal wisdom into her practice.
Olivia’s therapeutic focus includes alleviating aches and pains, addressing insomnia, stress, and anxiety, and enhancing women’s health, among other areas. She is passionate about assisting her patients in every step of their healing journey, regardless of their familiarity with Acupuncture or Chinese Medicine.
Beyond her professional pursuits, Olivia is an avid nature enthusiast, often found embracing the tranquility of the river valley or indulging in forest bathing with her beloved dog. She is also a skilled pianist, classically trained through the Royal Conservatory, and has shared her love for music by teaching piano lessons for over a decade.
At our clinic, Olivia Wiebe stands as a testament to the power of integrative care, combining her rich knowledge of Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine with a deep-rooted passion for natural healing. Whether you are new to Acupuncture or seeking advanced care, Olivia welcomes all questions and looks forward to guiding you on your path to wellness.
Education
- Diploma of Acupuncture, MacEwan University
Certifications/Licensure
- Registered Acupuncturist – College of Acupuncturists of Alberta (CAA)
Dr.Ac Wiebe 🇬🇧
Acupuncture, Herbalism
Olivia Wiebe is a dedicated practitioner of Acupuncture and Traditional...
Dr.Ac Kossowan 🇬🇧 🇫🇷
Dr. Jason Kossowan is a dedicated and licensed Doctor of Acupuncture with the College of Acupuncturists of Alberta, and a distinguished graduate of the Acupuncture program at MacEwan University. Jason’s path to healthcare began with his passion for Chinese martial arts, especially tai chi, which he has practiced since 2005. His journey in martial arts led to a profound appreciation for Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and a desire to integrate these classical techniques into solutions for modern health challenges.
Jason is particularly drawn to the treatment of cardiovascular and neurological conditions, as well as sports medicine, where he combines precision with a deep respect for the body’s natural healing processes. His approach is integrative and patient-centered, focusing on meaningful outcomes and a collaborative model of care that bridges Eastern and Western perspectives.
At Red Leaf Wellness, Jason is committed to creating a therapeutic experience that respects the body’s innate wisdom and adaptability. He actively engages patients through tailored treatment plans that address their unique needs, while also exploring the broader health benefits of TCM practices.
Outside the clinic, you can find Jason refining his tai chi practice or enjoying a board game—especially the cooperative ones that bring people together.
Education
- Diploma of Acupuncture, MacEwan University
Certifications/Licensure
- Registered Acupuncturist – College of Acupuncturists of Alberta (CAA)
Dr.Ac Kossowan 🇬🇧 🇫🇷
Acupuncture
Dr. Jason Kossowan is a dedicated and licensed Doctor of...
