A patch 40 for shielding skin from heat generated during warm needle acupuncture, such as during moxibustion when burning mugwort or moxa, is formed from a flexible planar sheet of heat resistant material, preferably silicone rubber, which may be circular, rectangular or other shapes and comprise a least one aperture or cut-out to accommodate an acupuncture needle 50 to pass into skin, during use, whilst the patch 40 shields the user from heat generated. The patch may be affixed to skin by an adhesive backing or surgical tape.
