One of the foundational characteristics of acupuncture is the stimulation of specific acupoints with acupuncture needles. Thus, acupuncture without the use of needles could appear absurd, at face value. However, it may not be so if you dig deeper. Needleless acupuncture or, more precisely, many variations of needleless acupuncture, have been gaining popularity in recent years and there is newer medical research that backs its effectiveness.
However, the discussion on needleless acupuncture and how it compares to traditional acupuncture goes much deeper than that. That is why we wrote this article – we will explain what needleless acupuncture is, examine the various techniques that exist, and compare it to classical acupuncture, starting with the foundation.
What Is Needleless Acupuncture?
To understand needleless acupuncture, we first need to know a bit more about how traditional acupuncture works. From a Western perspective, the stimulation of acupoints regulates the nervous system, promotes the stimulation of beneficial hormones, improves circulation and oxygenation, and relaxes muscles.
From a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) perspective, the proper application of acupuncture techniques can balance and restore the flow of Qi, a person’s life energy that flows through 14 Meridians in their body, by clearing blockages. Regardless of the perspective you take, the benefits of acupuncture have been proven many times – it can help with many medical conditions, from fertility issues to acute and chronic pain to stress and anxiety.
So, how does that relate to needleless acupuncture? If you consider that acupuncture needles are only tools and implements used in acupuncture, could other implements be used for the same effect? That is the idea behind needleless acupuncture. Thus, we could define needleless acupuncture as techniques that apply acupuncture principles by using tools other than acupuncture needles.
Currently, there are two prominent types of needleless acupuncture:
Laser Acupuncture
In laser acupuncture, low-intensity, non-thermal lasers are used to stimulate acupoints instead of needles. Laser acupuncture is not a new concept – attempts at laser therapy have been ongoing since the 1970s. However, one of the issues is that there is no consensus on the laser wavelength, treatment durations, and dosages that should be used, which makes it hard to definitively and consistently study the effects of laser acupuncture.
Laser acupuncture has mostly been studied in relation to myofascial pain, where it has shown the potential to become an alternative to traditional acupuncture; it has also shown positive effects in treating postoperative nausea and vomiting and in providing some relief to chronic tension headaches.
However, this type of needleless acupuncture has not been as extensively studied as traditional acupuncture and does not seem to be able to help with many of the other issues that acupuncture can help with, at least as it stands right now. On the other hand, it has been proven that laser acupuncture is safe and causes few, mild, and passing adverse effects. In short, laser acupuncture could be a viable alternative treatment in some situations.
Microcurrent Point Stimulation
Microcurrent point stimulation (MPS) is a medical technique where acupoints, often called pressure points in MPS, are stimulated via a low-frequency direct current (DC). It is not the same as electroacupuncture, as electroacupuncture treatments include the use of needles and alternating current (AC), whereas MPS is needleless and uses DC.
This type of needless acupuncture has mostly been studied in relation to pain management and it was shown that it can provide short-term pain relief. However, this is a new technique that requires more extensive study to make any definitive assertions.
Is Needle-Less Acupuncture as Effective as Traditional Acupuncture?
Needleless acupuncture has shown potential, however, it has mostly been studied in relation to pain relief. In that area, it would seem to be a viable alternative to traditional types of acupuncture. That being said, as we mentioned before, acupuncture can help treat or manage the symptoms of many illnesses, unrelated to pain relief.
Traditional acupuncture can help treat fertility issues in men and women, help with menstrual problems, from irregular cycles to breast tenderness to menstrual pain, be used as a complementary or primary treatment for stress, anxiety, depression, PTSD, and other mental health issues, help with injury recovery, in addition to many other benefits.
Thus, in short, needleless acupuncture could not be considered as effective or, at least, not as comprehensive, as traditional acupuncture, except in the domain of pain relief. Even when it comes to pain management, traditional acupuncture has been studied in more detail, so the outcomes are more certain.
Healing Modalities That Apply Acupuncture Principles without Needles
In addition to laser acupuncture and MPS, there are other, traditional healing modalities that are based on the principles of acupuncture but also do not utilize acupuncture needles. The two most prominent are:
- Acupressure: Acupressure is an ancient Chinese healing technique where acupoints are stimulated via gentle or firm pressure by using the hands or special tools, however, the skin is not penetrated like in an acupuncture treatment. When discussing the effects of acupressure vs. acupuncture, they are similar, with the difference being that the effects of acupressure are milder.
- Cupping: Cupping is another traditional therapy where heated cups are placed on specific points on the skin to create suction. This draws blood to the surface, promoting circulation and relieving muscle tension. Some of the benefits of cupping are similar to those of acupuncture and it is commonly used in alternative medicine to treat pain, inflammation, and various ailments.
Is There a Reason to Get Needle-Less Acupuncture Treatments Instead of Traditional Techniques?
If you are considering only pure effectiveness or the comprehensiveness of the treatments, there is no solid argument to be made for the benefit of needleless acupuncture vs. traditional acupuncture. One potential reason could be that acupuncture involves shallowly penetrating the skin, so you could be worried about the potential adverse effects.
However, acupuncture side effects are mostly mild and transient, so that should not be a concern. On the other hand, some people are not suitable for traditional acupuncture treatments – such as people who have a phobia of needles or those with bleeding disorders or are taking anticoagulation medicine that could cause issues. In those cases, needleless acupuncture could be a viable alternative.
Traditional Acupuncture Treatments in Los Angeles
Traditional acupuncture is a tried and true method that can help with a wide range of issues. However, acupuncture treatments should be as individual as the person receiving them. That is what we offer at BH Acuhealth Clinic. We are a licensed acupuncture clinic in Beverly Hills that specializes in:
- Fertility acupuncture
- Acupuncture for IVF
- Acupuncture during pregnancy
- Women’s health acupuncture
- Acupuncture for emotional health and
- Acupuncture for pain management
We have over 24 years of acupuncture experience and our treatments are specifically tailored to each patient’s circumstances. We will treat you with the care, compassion, and expertise you deserve. Schedule an appointment and let us develop a treatment plan that will have the highest chance of success for you. And don’t hesitate to contact us if you have questions or need any assistance, we will respond as soon as possible.
