What Is Electro Acupuncture?

Acupuncture is an ancient Chinese method of relieving pain and restoring "qi," or the flow of the body. For many, however, the thought of being stuck with needles isn't very appealing, and electro acupuncture provides an alternative with benefits all its own.

Basics

• Electro acupuncture, also called acupoint, is the application of electrical pads, or in some cases electrically charged needles, to acupoints on the body. The electrical current running through the pads or needles provides the same stimulation caused when an acupuncturist actively swirls and plunges the needles in normal acupuncture. The electrical impulse delivers anywhere from 40 to 80 volts in a session, which is the basis for most patient response. The current does not run through the body, but is instead localized to the place of pad or needle attachment.

History

• Although the acupuncture that utilizes needles alone is a practice that has been cultivated in China for centuries, electro acupuncture is a fairly recent development. It was developed in 1934 as an extension of the hand manipulation of the acupuncturist, to allow the acupuncturist to attend to other patients.

Benefits

• The benefits of electro acupuncture extend to both patient and practitioner. For the practitioner, the electrical impulses substitute for their own hand manipulation of the needles, so the patient can be stimulated properly for a long period of time without the practitioner becoming fatigued. The constant stimulus provided by the electricity means the patient requires less time for treatment, and a stronger stimulation can be achieved through electricity without risk of damage to the muscles or tissues. For some of the more difficult to treat neurological problems, electro acupuncture is more effective. Finally, the stimulation provided by the electrical current is easier to control than stimulation provided only by needles and hand manipulation.

Features

• Electro acupuncture is best employed against neurological conditions such as chronic pain, paralysis or muscle spasm. The treatment lasts 10 to 20 minutes on average and is best given once or twice a week, though for more serious cases more time may be required. The difficulty is that patients adapt to the electrical current and less stimulation is provided over time, constantly requiring more voltage. The current used by electro acupuncture alternates, since a steady current could prove problematic if stopped suddenly.

Warning

• Although electro acupuncture cuts down on the practitioner's involvement in the treatment, without an expert's input in an electro session, they cannot respond to changes during the treatment. The electrical currents are not recommended for those with a heart condition, and the electrical stimulation sites should never cross the heart or spinal cord, since it could disrupt heart function or damage the nervous system. Finally, the electricity of the needles should be carefully controlled to prevent overstimulation. Also, electro acupuncture should only be used if the patient has undergone normal acupuncture first, never as a first acupuncture experience.