Electroacupuncture - Electrotherapy

Electroacupuncture
DESCRIPTION OF METHODS
ELECTROACUPUNCTURE TREATMENTS
Electroacupuncture can be used for virtually all pain
conditions where manual acupuncture is indicated.
A treatment always begins with one or two manual
treatments to evaluate the patient's reaction to needle
stimulation. For optimum effect, the patient must be
relaxed and not see the treatment as unpleasant. For
this reason, it is a good idea to use needles that penetrate the tissue well when doing electrical stimulation.
The mechanisms behind acupuncture
The effect of both manual and electroacupuncture
mainly results from activating the ergoreceptors in the
musculature. About 75% of the points stimulated by
manual acupuncture are muscular. Ergoreceptors are
also stimulated by intense muscular activity.
Stimulating these receptors releases the body's own
morphine-like substances - endorphins. Acupuncture
also stimulates the touch fibers, which transfer the
effect inward to the spinal column, according to the
Gate Control theory.
Today we know more about the physiological mechanisms behind electroacupuncture than those behind
manual acupuncture. Many studies have been done
on various stimulation frequencies and their effect on
the endorphin systems.
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In general, electroacupuncture is thought to give a
more intense, effective, and pleasant stimulation for
the patient than manual acupuncture. Electrical stimulation is also easier to reproduce exactly, which is
an advantage when you want to compare treatment
results, for example in clinical studies.
Studies have shown that low-frequency electroacupuncture (up to 10 Hz) releases beta-endorphins on
the brain-stem level and met-enkephalin on the spinal
level. This effect is general - it occurs regardless of
where the needles are applied and stimulated.
With high-frequency stimulation (15-200 Hz), dynorphins are released segmentally on the spinal level.
Studies have also shown that high-frequency stimulation releases serotonin, which inhibits pain impulses
on the spinal level. In contrast to low-frequency stimulation, high-frequency stimulation must be applied
in the painful region - or segment.
Animal testing has shown that mixed-frequency stimulation, such as 2 Hz/100 Hz (Han stimulation), is
optimal for releasing endorphins. Both dynorphin and
enkephalin are released on the spinal level and betaendorphins are released on the brain-stem level. This
provides optimal conditions for maximum endorphin
release, which would benefit for example patients with
long-term pain. However, a risk of developing a tolerance level has been discussed with this type of stimulation.
Since a current has a limited spread in the tissue, the
needles in a pair with current should not be further
than 30 cm (12") apart. Since the current spreads
through the tissue, 1-3 needle pairs in the painful area
are enough. Never place the needles closer than 3 cm
(1-1/4") from each other. For general release of betaendorphins, stimulate 1-2 needle pairs on extrasegmental, distal points. The treatment time is 20-40
minutes.
STIMULATION METHODS
Both high and low-frequency stimulation should be
felt clearly, but with absolutely no pain. With highfrequency stimulation (15-200 Hz), the patient
should clearly feel paresthesia - tingling - and with
low-frequency stimulation (up to 10 Hz), visible muscle contractions should occur.
This can sometimes be difficult to attain without
painful stimulation (for example in the facial area),
which is why it is important to clearly see muscular
fasciculation around the needle.
High-frequency stimulation gives a segmental, fast,
brief effect and is used primarily with local, segmental
needles. Usually acute and sub-acute pain conditions
are treated with high-frequency stimulation for rapid
analgesic effect.
Low-frequency stimulation has a general, long-lasting,
slower effect and is used with distal extrasegmental
needles. Low-frequency stimulation is used primarily
to amplify the general effect of acupuncture.
Mixed-frequency stimulation (such as 2 Hz for 3
seconds and 80 Hz for 3 seconds) gives a combined
effect of low and high-frequency stimulation. Mixedfrequency stimulation is used with local, segmental
needles to treat primarily long-term pain conditions.
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EXAMPLES OF TREATMENTS WITH
ELECTROACUPUNCTURE
The indication ranges for electroacupuncture treatment are usually divided into three levels: acute, subacute and long-term pain.
Example: Elbow pain
EA points: Local points LI10 and LI12.
Distal points LI4 and TE5 on the same side.
Acute pain
If the patient is experiencing intense pain, you can
choose to stimulate only strong, distal, extrasegmental
points, such as LI4 and TE5, ST36 and SP6, with
low-frequency stimulation.
High-frequency stimulation is used in the painful area
for rapid segmental effect. Frequency: Select either
high-frequency, 80 Hz, continuous stimulation; or
high-frequency, 80 Hz, modulated pulse duration stimulation. Combine with stimulation on strong distal,
extrasegmental points.
Subacute pain
Stimulate local, segmental points in the painful area.
Frequency: Select either high-frequency, 80 Hz, continuous stimulation; high-frequency, 80 Hz, modulated pulse duration stimulation; or mixed-frequency,
2 Hz/15 Hz or 2 Hz/80 Hz, stimulation. Combine
with stimulation on distal, extrasegmental points with
low-frequency stimulation.
Example: Cervical pain that
radiates out over the trapezius
EA points: Local points GB20-GB21.
Bilateral stimulation is ideal. Distal points
LI4 and TE5 unilaterally.
Long-term pain
Stimulate local, segmental points in the painful area.
Frequency: Use low-frequency stimulation, 2 Hz, or
mixed-frequency, 2 Hz/15 Hz or 2 Hz/80 Hz.
Combine with stimulation on distal, extrasegmental
points with low-frequency stimulation, 2 Hz.
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Example: Lumbago and lumbago-sciatica
EA points: Local points BL25 and GB30,
BL25 and BL27, GB30 and BL36, BL25
and BL37. Distal points ST36 and SP6.
Distal, extrasegmental points
Stimulate strong points on the upper and
lower extremity to enhance the general
effects of acupuncture. Common EA points:
LI4 and LI11, LI4 and TE5, SP6 and ST36.
Low-frequency stimulation, 2 Hz.
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PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES
FOR ELECTROACUPUNCTURE
1. Warning! Patients with pacemakers must not be
treated with electroacupuncture.
2. Do not apply electroacupuncture while the patient
is connected to high-frequency surgical equipment.
This can burn the skin at the site of the needles and
damage the stimulator.
3. Switch off stimulation before removing the clamps.
But if you do get a shock from the stimulator, it isn't
harmful.
4. Do not stimulate close to the glomus caroticus, on
the throat near the carotid artery, as this can cause a
drop in blood pressure.
5. Do not treat pregnant women in the uterine innervations segment during the first trimester.
6. Exercise caution if the patient has a damaged lymphatic system.
7. Exercise caution with unwilling, frightened patients, and ones with reduced awareness or dementia.
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8. Patients with cardiac arrhythmia must be monitored to ensure that the arrhythmia is not aggravated.
9. Do not place needles from the same pair directly
over the heart.
10. Do not place needles on or near the head of patients with epilepsy. This might trigger a seizure.
11. Note that overstimulation may worsen the
patient's pain and general condition.
12. Be careful when stimulating patients with a nickel
allergy.
For complete precautionary measures, see the product
manual.
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