According to Traditional Japanese & Chinese Medicine, in the absence of uterine and placental anomalies, when a pregnant woman experiences a malpresentation of the fetus, it can be related to a depletion of qi (vital energy) and blood, leading to an imbalance of Yin and Yang within her body (Yin represents the cooling and nourishing aspects, while Yang represents the warming and activating aspects). 

 

In breech presentation, there may be an “inverted heat balance” in the mother’s body, leading to undesired heat excess or Yang energy in the upper part of the body, represented by a “hot head”, while the lower part of the body, represented by “cool feet”, lacks warmth and activity. Acupuncture and moxibustion aim to address this imbalance by promoting the circulation of Qi and blood, nourishing Yin, and harmonizing Yin and Yang. 

 

Moxibustion on acupoint Bladder 67 (BL67, Zhi Yin) has been suggested to promote the cephalic version of a breech presentation, as this acupoint is essential for balancing Yin and Yang energies and can also impact the uterus. By focusing on balancing Yin and Yang energies in the mother’s body, moxibustion treatments can help facilitate the optimal position of the fetus, supporting the desired head-down presentation for a smoother delivery. 

 

It is important to note that individual cases may vary, and qualified practitioners should administer these treatments experienced in acupuncture and moxibustion. 

 

For further information, please read below references: 

1- Takakura, Y., et al. (2018). Moxibustion for Cephalic Version of Breech Presentation: A Study in Journal of Midwifery & Women’s Health. May;63(3):309-322. doi: 10.1111/jmwh.12752. 

2- Coyle, M. E., Smith, C., & Peat, B. (2023). Cephalic version by moxibustion for breech presentation. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, (5), CD003928. https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD003928.pub4