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Electro Acupuncture.Traditional Chinese acupuncture and Electroacupuncture on body of pati
Electroacupuncture

Electroacupuncture combines the use of acupuncture needles with focused electrical stimulation using various frequencies and intensities chosen based the condition being treated.

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Brief History


It is known that the Egyptians used electric fish to treat pain over 3000 years ago. In 1823 Jean-Baptiste Sarlandière treated gout and arthritis with electrical currents. Francesco S da Camino wrote the first book on electro acupuncture in 1834. In 1951 Yoshio Nakatani claimed many acupoints have a lower electrical resistance than surrounding tissue.

 

In 1958 China used electroacupuncture as an analgesic during in surgery. President Richard Nixon in 1971 helps introduce mainstream acupuncture to the West after observing electroacupuncture being used in China. In 1974 the first commercially available TENS machine (a similar technology to electroacupuncture) was manufactured in the USA, and in 1988 the FDA formally approves an electro acupuncture device.

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More recently (in the 21st century) many studies and books have been published increasing our knowledge of the mechanisms involved in the use of electroacupuncture and its safe practice.

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How does it work?


Electroacupuncture helps to block pain by activating bioactive chemicals that may decrease sensitivity to pain and help reduce inflammation.

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Electroacupuncture activates the sympathetic nerve fibres causing the release of endogenous opioids such as endorphins, these help to reduce inflammation and pain.

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Studies have found that electroacupuncture may help your body release mesenchymal stem cells helping the body create different types of tissues, perhaps contributing to its healing properties.

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Some of the main theories associated with electroacupuncture are: 

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  • Gate control theory

  • Endorphin theory

  • Serotonin theory

  • Tissue healing

  • Effects on blood flow

  • Moves Qi and Blood (Traditional Chinese medicine theory)

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What do we treat using electroacupuncture


At Lindum Acupuncture we have found electroacupuncture to be useful in treating many conditions, including:

 

  • Achilles Tendon Pain

  • Acoustic Neuroma

  • Calf Pain

  • Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

  • Dupuytren's Contracture

  • Fingers and Thumbs Pain

  • Groin Strain

  • Herpes Zoster

  • Hip Pain

  • Itching Pain

  • Jaw Clenching

  • Knee Pain

  • Low Back Pain

  • Neck Pain

  • Plantar Fasciitis

  • Shoulder Pain

  • Soft Tissue

  • Tennis and Golfers Elbow

  • Tooth Pain

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Is It Safe?


When treated by a qualified acupuncturist and following a detailed consultation electroacupuncture is generally quite safe.

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Contraindications

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Depending on the nature of the illness and the constitution of the patient we my or may not offer electroacupuncture. The following contraindications may mean you can not have electroacupuncture, or that we need to be cautious:

 

  • Pacemakers or other implanted electronic devices

  • In the first trimester of pregnancy on the lower back or abdomen at any stage of pregnancy

  • Patients with a history of seizures

  • On the heads of children under 12 years old

  • Patients in shock or coma

  • Acute federal disease

  • Anywhere on the chest of patients with a history of heart problems

  • Near the carotid sinus and larynx area

  • Tumours

  • Sites of infection

  • Unstable spine or segments

  • Recent fractures or sprains

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