Electroacupuncture or acupuncture or acupuncture originates from part of the old Chinese treatments. In the Chinese acupuncture method, a series of meridians (energy passage points) are used, which in the old Chinese treatments are used to remove injuries and restore health. The approach of restoring the body’s energy balance is used. This balance consists of two main forces called yin and yang.
There is another type of acupuncture called Western acupuncture, which uses the same meridians plus points sensitive to pain in the body, but the approach of this type of treatment is based on the anatomy and neurophysiology of the body. In this type of acupuncture, the diagnosis and evaluation of the patient is different from the approach of Chinese acupuncture. In this type of acupuncture, the therapist’s goal is to help repair by stimulating the nervous system at local points in the body. Physiotherapists mostly use this type of acupuncture by combining manual work and therapeutic exercise and electrotherapy to treat all kinds of patients.
Acupuncture and Acupuncture
As mentioned, acupuncture is used in Western physiotherapy to reduce pain and inflammation, improve the overall health of the body, and increase the range of motion of joints.
This type of acupuncture method can be used in different ways:
Laser acupuncture
The laser itself is an optical amplifier. Laser waves can be radiated through needles at painful points. This type of acupuncture is used for all kinds of neurological diseases, children, sports injuries, reduction of sensitive body points and ear problems.
Electric acupuncture
The needles used in acupuncture points can be attached to electrodes known as electroacupuncture. In this way, electric impulses with different amplitudes and frequencies enter the body. This method often uses low-frequency electroacupuncture to reduce pain. This stimulates the production of chemicals in the brain that relax the body and help reduce pain.
This technique is mainly used in the treatment of chronic pain. On the other hand, reducing the pain itself reduces the sensitivity of the body and reduces the inflammation of the area.
Stimulating the body through electrical acupuncture stimulates the body’s sympathetic system, which causes the release of various hormones such as endorphins, which are effective in reducing inflammation in the area. Feelings are reduced. Chronic pain is also reduced, which can ultimately reduce chronic stress.
On the other hand, this type of method helps to induce mesenchymal stem cells. Mesenchymal cells are cells that can differentiate into different types of cells, so with the release of these types of cells, the potential to repair different body tissues such as bone tissue increases. One of the advantages of electroacupuncture compared to acupuncture is that it covers more areas of the body.
This method can also be used in cases of damage to tendons and peripheral nerves and hearing disorders.
The difference between electroacupuncture and acupuncture
Electrical acupuncture is an advanced version of traditional acupuncture. Unlike traditional acupuncture, which uses 10 to 20 needles in a session, electroacupuncture usually uses fewer needles. These needles are connected by alligator clips to a device that sends an electric current through the needles. The acupuncturist will determine the location of the needles based on your condition and symptoms. Electric acupuncture has different current and voltage settings. Low tension settings are used initially, but the acupuncturist may increase the tension during the session. You may feel a tingling sensation during one of these sessions, but it’s usually not painful. It also takes less time than traditional acupuncture: 10 to 20 minutes compared to 30 minutes or more. These sessions are done to improve the recovery and nervous response and your body’s natural immunity.
Applications of electroacupuncture and acupuncture:
- Neurological diseases
- Chronic pains
- Muscle spasms
- Muscular paralysis
- To perform this technique, the physiotherapist first places the needles in specific directions according to the treatment goal. Generally, due to the fineness of the needles, the patient will not experience pain. Then he connects the electrodes of the device, which are delicate and clamp-shaped, to the ends of the needles, and sets the device on the desired wave and turns it on.
- The duration of the treatment is about 20 minutes. Among the treatment cases that respond well to electroacupuncture is paralysis of one half of the face.
In this complication, the muscles of one half of the face fail, and of course with different intensities. In cases where the facial paralysis is severe and does not respond to routine treatments, Greene’s electroacupuncture is very suitable. Physiotherapist can perform other treatments at the same time as electroacupuncture at his discretion.
Mahan Physiotherapy Clinic
If you are interested in electroacupuncture, it is important to find a licensed acupuncturist with experience in both traditional medicine and electroacupuncture. They can recommend a treatment plan that meets your individual needs and circumstances. They may recommend a combination of different Chinese medicine treatments. These treatments may include different types of herbal medicines, nutritional counseling, cupping and other types of treatment. If you are in the Las Vegas area, you can contact our office to learn more about acupuncture options.