4 Procedures and Requirements
4.1 Preparations before Operation
4.1.1 Materials Needed
When using a moxa stick, choose a pure moxa stick or medicated moxa stick based on the state of disease and make sure that the package is intact without any mold or moisture.
When using moxa cone, choose pure moxa floss without any mold and moisture.
When using indirect moxibustion, prepare selected materials to place between the moxa cones and the skin. Check that these materials are not moldy or moisture. Make these materials into flat surface/piece with air holes of appropriate size.
When using a moxibustion burner, choose suitable one for the area for moxibustion, such as moxibustion stand, moxibustion barrel and moxibustion box.
Get the ignition tools ready, such as matches, lighters, incense threads and paper strings, etc, as well as the treatment disks, bending plates, forceps and fire extinguishing tube before starting the treatment.
4.1.2 Point Selection and Location
The selection of acupoints is based on the diagnosis and treatment plan. Select and locate the acupoints according to the disease.
The location of the acupoints should be consistent with the standard location published in the WHO Standard Acupuncture Point Locations in the Western Pacific Region.
4.1.3 Posture of the Body
Choose a suitable body posture which facilitates the manipulation and is also comfortable and safe for the patient during the treatment.
4.1.4 Environmental Setting Required
Be aware of environmental hygiene and avoid pollution. In order to maintain good ventilation, install ventilation facilities or air purifiers if possible.
4.1.5 Disinfection
All the disinfections mentioned above should follow the instruction on the sterilization mentioned in the Guidelines on Basic Training and Safety in Acupuncture published in 1999 by WHO.
4.1.5.1 Needle Disinfection
When treating with warm needling moxibustion, disposable needles should be used. If the needles are used repeatedly, they should be sterilized strictly with autoclave or other appropriate methods such as ethylene oxide gas.
4.1.5.2 Skin Disinfection
When treating with warm needling moxibustion, clean the treatment area of the skin from the center to the peripheral parts using cotton balls with medical alcohol or 0.5% ～ 1% iodophor. The area to be strongly stimulated should be sterilized by using cotton balls with 0.5% ～ 1% iodophor.
4.1.5.3 Practitioner’s Disinfection
Before treating patient with warm needling moxibustion, the acupuncturists can use soapy water to wash the hands, and then clean them again using cotton balls with medical alcohol or any another sterilizer.