Gentle Acupuncture
Acupressure/Bodywork
Chinese Herbal Medicine
About Electro-acupuncture
(from Acupuncture Today, April 29, 2005)
An increasingly popular form of treatment, electro-acupuncture is used by practitioners of traditional Chinese medicine for a wide array of conditions.
What's the difference between
electro-acupuncture and traditional acupuncture?
Electro-acupuncture is quite
similar to traditional acupuncture in that the same points are stimulated
during treatment. As with traditional acupuncture, needles are inserted on
specific points along the body. The needles are then attached to a device
that generates continuous electric pulses using small clips. These devices
are used to adjust the frequency and intensity of the impulse being
delivered, depending on the condition being treated. Electro-acupuncture
uses two needles at time so that the impulses can pass from one needle to
the other. Several pairs of needles can be stimulated simultaneously,
usually for no more than 30 minutes at a time.
One advantage of electro-acupuncture is that a practitioner does not have to be as precise with the insertion of needles. This is because the current delivered through the needle stimulates a larger area than the needle itself. Another advantage is that electro-acupuncture can be employed without using needles. A similar technique called transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, or TENS, uses electrodes that are taped to the surface of the skin instead of being inserted. The advantage of this procedure is that it can be used by people who have a fear of needles or a condition that prohibits them from being needled.
What conditions can
electro-acupuncture treat?
According to the principles of
traditional Chinese medicine, illness is caused when qi does not flow
properly throughout the body. Acupuncturists determine whether qi is
weak, stagnant or otherwise out of balance, which indicates the points to be
stimulated. Electro-acupuncture is considered to be especially useful for
conditions in which there is an accumulation of qi, such as in
chronic pain syndromes, or in cases where the qi is difficult to
stimulate.
In the United States, electro-acupuncture has been studied for a variety of conditions. It has been effectively used as a form of anesthesia; as a pain reliever for muscle spasms; and a treatment for neurological disorders. Other studies have examined the role of electro-acupuncture in treating skin conditions such as acne, renal colic, and acute nausea caused by cancer medications. There is also some evidence that electrical stimulation of acupuncture points activates the endorphin system, which could lower blood pressure and reduce heart disease.
Does electro-acupuncture hurt?
Patients may experience a tingling
sensation while being treated with electro-acupuncture, which is most likely
due to the electric current. In most cases, however, the effect produced by
the current is subsational; in other words, the tingling sensation will not
be felt. Some minor bruising or bleeding may occur, which is the result of a
needle hitting small blood vessels.
Are there any risks involved?
Electro-acupuncture should not be used
on patients who have a history of seizures, epilepsy, heart disease or
strokes, or on patients with pacemakers. It should also not be performed on
a patient's head or throat, or directly over the heart. Another
recommendation is that when needles are being connected to an electric
current, the current should not travel across the midline of the body (an
imaginary line running from the bridge of the nose to the bellybutton).
Before trying electro-acupuncture, patients should make sure to discuss the potential risks and benefits with their practitioner.