Electroacupuncture involves passing a low-frequency electrical current through traditional acupuncture needles. It may help relieve pain and other symptoms.
Electroacupuncture is a variation of traditional acupuncture. The technique involves a trained practitioner using fine needles to stimulate sensory nerves in specific locations of the body.
This article will discuss how electroacupuncture works, who should avoid it, and what to expect during treatment and recovery.
Electroacupuncture affects the nervous system. The electrical signals it uses cause physiological responses, such as affecting how a person perceives pain.
It may also affect biochemical pathways and stimulate the release of chemicals, such as endorphins, neurotransmitters, and hormones, to help ease symptoms of various conditions.
For example, a
Electroacupuncture has many possible treatment applications and can be useful for pain management.
A 2017 meta-analysis discusses its use to treat knee osteoarthritis. The authors note that at least 4 weeks of electroacupuncture can ease pain and improve physical function for people with knee osteoarthritis who are at low risk of adverse effects from treatment.
Electroacupuncture may also help reduce symptoms of the following conditions:
Electroacupuncture is often helpful in combination with conventional treatment, such as a prescription medication.
Research is ongoing to determine how effective electroacupuncture is for treating other conditions.
According to a
A 2019 study found that electroacupuncture reduced the growth of triple-negative breast cancer tumors in mice.
Electroacupuncture is unsafe for certain individuals, including those with:
For this treatment, a person either remains seated or lies down. They may need to adjust or remove some clothing to allow the practitioner access to specific body areas.
Just as in traditional acupuncture therapy, a practitioner inserts fine needles into a person’s skin at specific acupuncture meridian points.
Once the needles are in place, the practitioner attaches them to electrodes, which take power from an electroacupuncture machine with adjustable voltages and currents.
The practitioner starts the treatment using low voltage and frequency settings and carefully adjusts them as necessary to achieve the desired results.
Each treatment can last approximately 15 to 30 minutes or longer.
Recovery from electroacupuncture
After acupuncture or electroacupuncture, a person may feel tired. They may also experience muscle pain and a release of emotions.
Practitioners recommend that a person rests and stays hydrated after treatment.
Electroacupuncture has numerous benefits that enable it to treat various issues. The technique may help with:
- pain reduction
- tissue regeneration
- the release of mesenchymal stem cells into the bloodstream, which have the potential to heal various tissues in the body
- inflammation reduction
- increased connectivity between the hypothalamus in the brain, which regulates functions such as heart rate and blood pressure, and the amygdala, which is the brain’s emotion center
According to a
Some adverse effects relating to acupuncture may also occur due to electroacupuncture. However, these are rare.
According to research from
- fainting
- organ injury
- tissue injury
- systemic or whole body reactions
- infection
Electric shock may also occur as a result of electroacupuncture if a practitioner does not perform it correctly.
Electroacupuncture may cause mild side effects, such as:
The National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine provides a directory to help with finding a qualified electroacupuncture practitioner.
A person can search for nearby practitioners by using their ZIP code or search for the name of a practitioner to see if they appear in the directory. However, as it is a voluntary database, not all qualified practitioners are registered.
Does electroacupuncture improve chronic low back pain?
A
Additionally, a
Read more about acupuncture for back pain.
What is the difference between TENS and electroacupuncture?
Both transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) and electroacupuncture use electrical currents therapeutically.
TENS transmits an electrical current using sticky electrodes or patches that practitioners place on the skin’s surface. Electroacupuncture uses electric wires attached to acupuncture needles that practitioners insert into the skin.
Is electroacupuncture better than dry needling?
Both electroacupuncture and dry needling involve the insertion of fine needles into a person’s skin. However, electroacupuncture also uses an electric current to enhance therapeutic effects.
While both procedures can reduce pain, a
Electroacupuncture is similar to traditional acupuncture but involves electrical stimulation of the needles to increase the therapeutic effect. It can treat a broad range of conditions and is effective in reducing pain and increasing physical functioning.
Electroacupuncture is generally safe when a qualified practitioner administers it. There may be mild side effects such as nausea or light bleeding at the needle insertion points.
However, certain factors may make electroacupuncture unsafe, such as having epilepsy, a pacemaker, or a bleeding disorder.