Electroacupuncture is a modern evolution of traditional acupuncture, combining this ancient practice with advanced technology. Patients go to electroacupuncture treatments seeking help for many conditions and symptoms, from pain to impaired motor functions. Yet, is it effective? How does it work? What conditions can electroacupuncture help with? Let’s discuss all of this, starting with the basics of acupuncture.
Acupuncture and Electroacupuncture
Electroacupuncture combines traditional, manual acupuncture with electrostimulation. Thus, the base mechanisms of how electroacupuncture works are the same as those of traditional acupuncture. It can improve circulation and oxygenation, reduce inflammation, stimulate the production of beneficial chemicals and balance hormone production, and regulate the functioning of the nervous system.
From the perspective of traditional Chinese medicine, acupuncture also balances and frees up the flow of Qi, a person’s life energy. Qi flows through every person through 14 meridians, which are the passageways for this energy. When the flow of Qi is blocked or imbalanced, a person can experience many issues – from musculoskeletal pain to increased levels of stress and anxiety. By stimulating specific acupoints, acupuncture regulates the flow of Qi to treat these issues.
However, all of this relates to manual acupuncture, so how is electroacupuncture different?
The Uniqueness of Electroacupuncture
Electroacupuncture is a type of acupuncture that adds electrical stimulation to acupuncture treatments by attaching machines that produce electrical currents to acupuncture needles. The type of electrical stimulation varies based on the condition that is being treated. Depending on the needs, the current (DC or AC), frequency, and amplitude change. The purpose of this type of treatment is to increase the effectiveness of manual acupuncture.
Due to the use of modern technology, you may think that electroacupuncture is a very new concept, developed in the last few years or decades – this is not the case. The first use and scientific study is often attributed to Tang Shi-cheng, who published The Technique and Principles of Electroacupuncture and the Study of Electroacupuncture in 1934 and started applying electroacupuncture in China.
In the West, acupuncturists and other medical professionals began studying acupuncture in the late 1940s and early 1950s. The first peer-reviewed medical journal, Acupuncture & Electro-Therapeutics Research, that focused on the combination of acupuncture and electrotherapy was established in 1976. All of this is to say that electroacupuncture is not a new type of treatment, but a well-studied modality of acupuncture with many demonstrated benefits.
However, before we talk about what electroacupuncture is used for, we should note that it is not the same as transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) or microcurrent point stimulation (MPS). Although both treatments use electrical currents for the medical benefits of patients, TENS does not utilize acupuncture needles and does not focus on stimulating acupoints.
Similarly, MPS does not utilize needles, although some practitioners do focus on the same acupoints used in traditional acupuncture, so it could be considered a type of needleless acupuncture. Additionally, both TENS and MPS are primarily focused on pain relief, while the short- and long-term benefits of acupuncture and the issues it treats are much broader.
What Electroacupuncture Is Used For
Electroctroacupuncture can be used to treat a wide range of symptoms and conditions, including:
- Chronic and Acute Pain – electroacupuncture is often used as an effective form of pain management by activating the nervous system through peripheral, spinal, and supraspinal mechanisms. Electroacupuncture treatments lower the intensity of acute and chronic pain.
- Musculoskeletal Issues – it can reduce inflammation and pain associated with arthritis, including osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Electroacupuncture can also relax tight muscles and alleviate spasms.
- Motor Function Recovery – electroacupuncture can also be used as a complementary treatment to help patients recover their motor functions after injuries. Some newer studies suggest that this type of treatment can also be used to help patients with Parkinson’s disease with the motor symptoms of the disease.
- Nausea and Vomiting – this type of acupuncture is also used as an effective treatment for nausea and vomiting. It has mostly been studied in relation to postoperative nausea and vomiting and how it can alleviate these symptoms, but electroacupuncture has shown potential in treating chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting, as well as when these symptoms are caused by pregnancy.
- Fertility Issues – another benefit of electroacupuncture is how it can help with fertility issues and increase the success rate of IVF; it can improve oocyte maturation, in turn increasing the fertilization rate for IVF patients.
Alongside these specific conditions, electroacupuncture can also help treat many of the same issues that manual acupuncture is used to treat, from stress, anxiety, and depression, to digestive, menstrual, and menopausal issues.
Now, you know what electroacupuncture is used for, so what does a standard treatment look like?
What a Standard Treatment Looks Like
A standard electroacupuncture treatment should begin with a thorough medical check-up. The acupuncturist will review your medical history, symptoms, and any existing conditions. If necessary, the acupuncturist may consult or collaborate with other healthcare providers to ensure a comprehensive treatment plan.
Once the assessment is complete and a treatment plan is in place, they insert thin, sterile needles into specific acupoints related to the condition being treated. These points are usually located on the arms, legs, back, or abdomen. Next, the acupuncturist attaches small electrodes to the needles, which are connected to a device that delivers a mild electrical current.
The intensity and frequency of the current are carefully adjusted based on your needs and tolerance. A typical electroacupuncture treatment lasts between 20 and 40 minutes. Throughout the session, the acupuncturist would monitor your response to ensure comfort and safety. After the treatment, the needles are removed, and you may need to rest briefly before leaving. Depending on the condition, desired outcomes, and the success of the treatment, you might need to have multiple sessions.
Does Electroacupuncture Hurt?
A patient will feel a small prick when the acupuncture needles are inserted, but the pain is mild for most patients, while others feel no pain at all. Applying the electrical current does not cause any pain, but a tingling or pulsing sensation. In short, the pain you may feel during an electroacupuncture session is minimal.
Acupuncture Treatments at BH Acuhealth Clinic
BH Acuhealth Clinic is a licensed and specialized acupuncture clinic in Beverly Hills. Our clinic is run by Dr. Mitra Daneshrad, a Doctor of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine with over 24 years of experience. We specialize in:
- Fertility acupuncture
- Acupuncture for IVF
- Acupuncture during pregnancy
- Women’s health acupuncture
- Acupuncture for emotional health and
- Acupuncture for pain management
For patients who are not suitable for acupuncture treatments, we also offer cupping therapy. When you come to our clinic, we will create a treatment plan that is tailored to your unique condition and work together with your other medical care providers, if needed, to offer the best possible therapy.
Schedule an appointment today to tell us about your situation and don’t hesitate to contact us if you have any questions.
