About Me
- Lesley Custodio, L.Ac. - Feel Well Acupuncture
- Lesley Custodio is a Licensed Acupuncturist in San Diego, CA. Feel Well Acupuncture is where the healing happens for her clients and she loves sharing health tips, recipes, and simple inspiration to help them live happy and healthy!
Saturday, February 14, 2015
Saturday, February 8, 2014
Moxa, Moxa, Moxa
Winter weather finally hit San Diego this past week with cooler temperatures, lots of clouds, and lots of rain! Naturally, when I came into the clinic on Tuesday, it was mighty chilly! So I cranked up the heaters and the heat lamps to make sure the clinic was warm and toasty for my clients.
As each client came in, it became apparent that it was also going to be a moxa type of day. Now, before I get into what moxa, or moxibustion, even is, let's talk about what it's used for in Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture. To give you an idea, on Tuesday, my clients were coming in with anything from delayed menses, abdominal pain, lower back pain, a bone bruise, nasal congestion, or even just cold hands and feet.
Moxa is primarily used to warm, circulate Qi and Blood, and even activate an acupuncture point. It's beneficial to use in areas of the body that are cold and stagnant, which often times are the causes for pain and some of the issues I listed above. Pretty much, just like acupuncture, moxibustion can promote the healing response and the function of an acupoint. It can be used with acupuncture, or often times, by itself.
Now what exactly is moxa? Moxa is made from the Chinese Herb, Ai Ye, or Mugwort, which functions by promoting Qi and Blood circulation, warming the channels, dispelling cold, and stopping pain. It can be found in different forms, which dictates how and what it is used for.
Moxa can be packed into a pole that looks much like a cigar or made into a charcoal pole to form the smokeless variety. Pole moxa is used for warming general areas and is less direct than rice grain moxa. Rice grain moxa is more direct and specific when used on an acupuncture point. It is made from the loose variety (pictured on the left). Loose moxa can also be made into larger cones placed directly on the skin or placed directly on the shaft of a needle. This leads us to needlehead moxa. The technique involves placing moxa directly onto the needle to allow the heat to vibrate into the body through the needle. Loose moxa can be used, but there are also types of smokeless or formed moxa, such as the one pictured on the right.
I use all three forms in my practice and had the opportunity to use all three forms throughout the day on Tuesday. I used pole moxa on the bruised shin bone. For the other conditions, I used either direct moxa or needlehead moxa. Here's a video of me making rice grain moxa:
No matter what form is used, there's always a healing benefit because of it's warming and activating function. It's really amazing stuff and feels incredible, too!
When I was living in New York City for acupuncture school, my first apartment was quite old and didn't have great insulation (or heating for that matter) against the frigid winter weather. Pretty much, it was freezing even indoors! I took out a moxa pole and just started applying it over certain acupuncture points and instantly felt so much warmer from the inside. Moxa kept the cold out and it definitely helped me get through my first winter there.
Moxa is one of the many tools used by acupuncturists, especially this acupuncturist.
Have you experienced moxibustion or moxa for yourself?
As each client came in, it became apparent that it was also going to be a moxa type of day. Now, before I get into what moxa, or moxibustion, even is, let's talk about what it's used for in Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture. To give you an idea, on Tuesday, my clients were coming in with anything from delayed menses, abdominal pain, lower back pain, a bone bruise, nasal congestion, or even just cold hands and feet.
Moxa is primarily used to warm, circulate Qi and Blood, and even activate an acupuncture point. It's beneficial to use in areas of the body that are cold and stagnant, which often times are the causes for pain and some of the issues I listed above. Pretty much, just like acupuncture, moxibustion can promote the healing response and the function of an acupoint. It can be used with acupuncture, or often times, by itself.
Now what exactly is moxa? Moxa is made from the Chinese Herb, Ai Ye, or Mugwort, which functions by promoting Qi and Blood circulation, warming the channels, dispelling cold, and stopping pain. It can be found in different forms, which dictates how and what it is used for.
Moxa can be packed into a pole that looks much like a cigar or made into a charcoal pole to form the smokeless variety. Pole moxa is used for warming general areas and is less direct than rice grain moxa. Rice grain moxa is more direct and specific when used on an acupuncture point. It is made from the loose variety (pictured on the left). Loose moxa can also be made into larger cones placed directly on the skin or placed directly on the shaft of a needle. This leads us to needlehead moxa. The technique involves placing moxa directly onto the needle to allow the heat to vibrate into the body through the needle. Loose moxa can be used, but there are also types of smokeless or formed moxa, such as the one pictured on the right.
I use all three forms in my practice and had the opportunity to use all three forms throughout the day on Tuesday. I used pole moxa on the bruised shin bone. For the other conditions, I used either direct moxa or needlehead moxa. Here's a video of me making rice grain moxa:
No matter what form is used, there's always a healing benefit because of it's warming and activating function. It's really amazing stuff and feels incredible, too!
When I was living in New York City for acupuncture school, my first apartment was quite old and didn't have great insulation (or heating for that matter) against the frigid winter weather. Pretty much, it was freezing even indoors! I took out a moxa pole and just started applying it over certain acupuncture points and instantly felt so much warmer from the inside. Moxa kept the cold out and it definitely helped me get through my first winter there.
Moxa is one of the many tools used by acupuncturists, especially this acupuncturist.
Have you experienced moxibustion or moxa for yourself?
Wednesday, December 18, 2013
Acupuncture in the Military
Acupuncture is being used in the Military to help with conditions such as Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, Acute and Chronic Pain for combat trauma, and traumatic brain injuries to name a few.
On pins and needles: Navy doctor branches out with deployment medicine - The Globe: Marine Corps News
On pins and needles: Navy doctor branches out with deployment medicine - The Globe: Marine Corps News
Thursday, April 26, 2012
Strength in Numbers, Strength in Healing
Have you heard of the "World's Largest Shared Acupuncture" experience?
At Feel Well Acupuncture, we're proud to offer our very own (smaller) version of the shared acupuncture experience with our
Strength in numbers has been seen time and again, both past and present. Why can't the same hold true for acupuncture shared in a group setting? The collective intention of healing can be profound. If you followed the link above, you'll read one person's account during this very large healing fest. Because acupuncture is a holistic medicine, there are benefits for mind, body, and spirit. You'll feel more relaxed, sleep better, have more energy, and feel less stressed to name a few.
We've always loved the idea of community acupuncture because it allows acupuncture to be more accessible and available. It simply brings people together. Healing, experiences, laughter, support - all can be shared when people come together. The name "Sama-Sama" is fitting because it roughly translates to "together-together" in the Filipino language.
A little known fact about Sama-Sama is that the "World's Largest Shared Acupuncture" experience actually provided us with a little bit of inspiration when we first started our community acupuncture sessions. Yoga mats instead of chairs?! Brilliant! We absolutely loved this twist from the norm. Not only does it allow you to be open and ready to receive the healing energy around you (much like yoga's Savasana), but it's also a comfortable way to take a little snooze during your treatment. ;)
To top off Sama-Sama, we chose to use the 5-Point Ear Acupuncture Protocol (from the National Acupuncture Detoxification Association)because it's simple, streamlined, and effective. Thus, there are no barriers to treatment and the sessions also serve as an easy introduction to acupuncture. More importantly we love seeing how people's lives can be transformed with acupuncture. Believe it or not, those 5 little needles in each ear do wonders!
We love sharing this amazing medicine!
So if you want to experience group acupuncture for yourself, join us this Saturday, April 28, 2012. Share this with anyone you like: friends, family, your neighbor, coworkers, whomever. The more the merrier!
We create a safe and peaceful environment where you can relax and truly experience the power of coming together in the spirit of community and healing.
Details are below and more information is available on our website.
Hope to see you there!
Sama-Sama Acupuncture Session
Saturday, April 28
11:30am - 12:30pm
$20
Feel Well Acupuncture
830 25th St. Suite 203
San Diego, CA 92102
(Golden Hill)
For more information or to RSVP, please contact Lesley.
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
Enlighten Your Soul with Love & Life!
Acupuncture, ThetaHealing & Qi Gong come together to create a unique healing experience.
Join myself, Lesley Custodio, L.Ac. and Stephanie Rosenblatt, L.Ac./ThetaHealing Practitioner for this amazing journey to the root of your soul as we guide you to a place of healing to give and receive love.
Heal and harmonize your spirit. Find balance within your physical body. Reduce stress. Open and align the Sacral and Root chakras.
Experience healing to connect more soul-love in all your relationships, including romantic, friendship, family, professional, and more.
Saturday, February 11, 2012
3:30pm - 5:00pm
Illuminating Health and Wellness
2496 E St. Suite 300 (3rd Floor)
Golden Hill, San Diego, CA 92102
Cost is $45
Space is limited so please RSVP to reserve your place.
Contact/RSVP
Lesley Custodio, L.Ac. - lesley@feelwellacupuncture.com - 775.220.2008 - www.feelwellacupuncture.com
Stephanie Rosenblatt, L.Ac. - createillumination@gmail.com - 619.519.4305 - www.createillumination.com
No Acupuncture, ThetaHealing, or Qi Gong experience is necessary.
10 Parts Of Your Body You Didn't Know The Name For
Thought this video was cute! Believe it or not, some of the parts shown are also locations of acupuncture points. For example, the Glabella is where the point Yin Tang is located. Massage this area or focus your thoughts on this point to relieve insomnia, anxiety, stress, and headaches. Enjoy!
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
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