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Heat treatments call for careful preparation. Christine asks about skin sensation, smoke tolerance and aftercare so that you can speak up the moment heat feels too strong.

Moxibustion relies on warmth, and warmth needs care. The same gentle heat that one person finds soothing can feel intense to someone else, or go unnoticed by a person with reduced skin sensation. Good preparation is about the individual on the table, not the technique alone.

Information that shapes the session

Before using moxa, Dr Christine Shen, Acupuncturist, will ask you a few questions at the Lane Cove clinic. Please let her know if:

• you have numbness or trouble sensing hot and cold, for example from diabetes or nerve problems;
• your skin is irritated, broken, sunburnt or prone to reactions;
• smoke bothers you, or you have asthma or other breathing concerns;
• you are pregnant or taking medicines that affect your skin.

Permission to speak up immediately

One of the most important parts of any heat treatment is knowing that you can say something the instant it feels too hot. You do not need to wait until the end, and you do not need to be polite about it. Christine would much rather adjust straight away than discover a problem afterwards.

Aftercare before you leave

Ask what the skin should look like over the next day, what is normal and what is not. If a reaction appears that differs from what she described, such as blistering or lasting redness, contact her for advice, and seek medical care if it seems significant.

Instructions that belong to you

Agree on a signal for discomfort before the moxa is lit, and make sure you understand the aftercare steps. Skin health, sensation and breathing are all part of this discussion. Remember that a routine shared online or a relative's experience cannot tell you what suits your own body.

Feeling settled before you begin

Some people like to feel a brief test of warmth near the skin before the session starts properly. If that would reassure you, just ask. Christine is happy to take things slowly during your Lane Cove appointment so that you feel in control from the first minute.