Objective To observe the influence of moxibustion in different sequence on status of qi and blood movements in human body. Methods Thirty six healthy males were chosen as participants. Randomized controlled crossover trial was applied. Body surface temperature was detected by thermal infrared imaging when moxibustion sequences were ‘upper first’and ‘lower first’. ‘Upper first’was to do moxibustion first on Shenque（ CV8）

Qihai（ CV6） simultaneously

then on Zusanli（ ST36） on both sides. ‘Lower first’was to do moxibustion first on Zusanli（ ST36） on both sides

then on Shenque（ CV8）

Qihai（ CV6）. Mild moxibustion was applied on each acupoint for20 min. Observation regions were palms

face

throat

shoulders

chest

region between chest and abdomen

umbilicus

upper back and lower back

upper and lower legs. Results Influence of moxibustion on body surface temperature included direct effects and indirect effects. Applying ‘upper first’method would cause increased temperature of palms

eyes

nose and cheeks（ P < 0. 05 or P < 0. 01）

while applying ‘first lower then upper’method showed no significant influence on these regions（ P > 0. 05）. Conclusion Moxibustion in different sequence showed different influence on movement of qi and blood. Using ‘first upper’moxibustion can lead pathogenic fire to the lower body in order to prevent the discomfort caused by pathogenic fire flaring upper body.