Electro-acupuncture

Electro-acupuncture or electro acupuncture, which is also called Percutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (PENS), is a method of acupuncture whereby electric impulses flow continuously between pairs of needles.

Many acupuncture practitioners, hold the view that electro-acupuncture is an excellent treatment for easing pain, and for improving health and well-being, but there have been insufficient  research studies to substantiate this, one way or the other. There is evidence, however, that points to its  value in treating the vomiting that often accompanies chemotherapy treatment.

Electro-acupuncture stimulates the same points on the body as does conventional acupuncture. The needles used in the procedure are connected to an electrical generating module.

This pulses power on a continuous basis through the needles, and small clips are used to adjust both the frequency and intensity of the impulses, both adjustments being dependent on the specific health condition being treated.

Two needles are used simultaneously so that the electrical impulses pass from one needle to the other.

The acupuncturist may deploy several pairs of needles so that treated areas can be stimulated at the same time, but when this happens it is limited to a half hour treatment so as to avoid any possible adverse reaction in the patient.

The thinking behind traditional Chinese Medicine, is that sickness occurs in the body when the energy force (qi) that flows through everyones' body, cannot circulate properly, because of some irregularity or blockage. The acupuncturist determines those acupuncture points needed to stimulate and restore the qi and improve the individual's health. In those cases where it is not straightforward to stimulate the qi, electro-acupuncture comes into its own.

A qualified and well trained acupuncturist can identify week or diminished qi in an individual, and treat it back to normal. Even in cases of an overly strong qi - which in itself creates an imbalance in the body that can cause chronic pain syndromes - it is thought that electro-acupuncture can be particularly beneficial

Once a course of acupuncture is undertaken, the acupuncturist will soon be able to determine the individual's state of health and be able to decide whether traditional or  electro-acupuncture is likely to be most beneficial.  Chronic pain sufferers are likely to find electro-acupuncture is recommended immediately.