Electroacupuncture

Electroacupuncture (sometimes called “electric medicine”) often relies upon similar theories of point locations and functions as traditional acupuncture. In fact, for the best results, we almost always use electric medicine in the framework of a traditional acupuncture appointment. However, electroacupuncture adds the powerful variable of electric frequency. Frequency-specific electroacupuncture can enhance the effects of a traditional acupuncture treatment or achieve something entirely different in scope. This modality is based upon modern research and can be combined with other approaches for best outcomes.

What is electroacupuncture like?

Acupuncture needles are inserted in specific traditional points or other points chosen to affect symptoms in specific zones, for stronger physical and emotional results than traditional acupuncture alone. Once the needles are inserted, we connect positive and negative leads from small battery-operated electricity-generating machines, creating a circuit.

We then very slowly increase the charge until there is a barely perceptible tingling or buzzing around the needles. This is a very comfortable process and it is not “shocking” at all. The minor sensation is completely localized.

This treatment may last from 10 to 30 minutes, depending on the goals. The specific frequency used – and the duration of the treatments – is designed to trigger specific bodily responses, such as the reduction of pain and inflammation via the production of endorphins, or the increase of relaxation via the production of dopamine, or the improvement of mood via the production of serotonin.

Electroacupuncture may be preceded or followed by other treatment modalities, such as traditional acupuncture and motor point acupuncture. See our section on traditional acupuncture for more information about an appointment that features electric medicine.

Often we’re asked if electric medicine is the same as TENS therapy, which applies a current to the skin over a specific muscle or in specific zones. Electroacupuncture is not based on the same theories as TENS therapy, and is far more specific and powerful. The skin is the greatest barrier to delivering the electrons to the most effective layer of the body. Bypassing the epidermis by using a fine needle makes all the difference in terms of easing physical and emotional symptoms.

Motor Point Acupuncture

Motor points are the very specific points where the motor nerve from the central nervous system enters a muscle. This is what allows it to move. Motor point acupuncture analyzes and assesses specific joints and muscles as contributing to local or referred pain patterns, then quickly corrects for the the dysfunction. Dysfunction can include acute or chronic pain, numbness, inflammation, improperly tracking joints, weakness, and other conditions. This is a therapy that can enhance, but usually not replace, traditional acupuncture and electric medicine . . . and even other physical or manual therapies.

What is motor point acupuncture like?

After assessing whether motor point acupuncture is an appropriate to the treatment plan, we narrow things down to the specific muscles we will treat with this technique. An acupuncture needle is inserted near the motor nerve for the dysfunctional muscle or tendon. (This insertion alone may result in a painless, involuntary twitch in the muscle that lets us know we found the right point.) Then the needle is stimulated at the point of insertion with a small electric current from a “pointer” controlled by a single 9-volt battery. This light current stimulates the muscle into twitching or moving without direct control from the patient. We repeat this a few times, making sure that the process is comfortable and painless. (The treatment is usually described as “cool,” and at worst as “weird.”)

Motor point acupuncture can be performed on a single muscle, but usually maximal effect is achieved by individually targeting all of the muscles in the painful or dysfunctional area or zone of the body, as they all act in concert to effect the function of the joint.

This intervention reduces local pain and inflammation and restores function in muscles and joints. The technique is similar in idea to “dry needling,” except it is much more precise and much less intense (and requires much more training).

The results of motor point acupuncture are usually quick, but this technique is almost always combined with traditional acupuncture and electric medicine for ongoing relief of and therapy for physical pain and inflammation.

Laser Acupuncture and Laser Therapy

An alternative to inserting needles into acupuncture points is using a focused low-level laser beam. Laser therapy has been studied for quite some time as a way to penetrate healing frequencies deep into tissue, increasing circulation and reducing pain and inflammation. Because there is usually no sensation associated with the laser, not even heat, that makes it a good candidate for increasing the healing in sensitive locations, like swollen or arthritic joints. Similarly, when the beam is focused on acupuncture points, the body is stimulated in a similar way as it might be by a needle, so not only can the light frequency bring healing to the local tissue, it can help bring holistic therapy to the entire body, much like traditional acupuncture.

Cupping

Cupping is an ancient Chinese therapy that has never gone out of style, and has even seen a resurgence of popularity in modern times among high-performance athletes who are looking for an edge. Using expert techniques, suction cups are safely attached to specific points to enhance local circulation, release tight muscles, improve orthopedic function and athletic performance, and in some cases to improve immune response. If you’ve ever seen circular red marks or bruises on the bodies of athletes on TV, you’ve seen some of the effects of cupping. (Don’t worry, the marks are completely painless!) Some other kinds of therapists may use cupping as a part of their approach, but this technique when applied in sync with Chinese medical theory can be exponentially more effective.

Gua Sha

Gua Sha is another ancient technique that has gotten a lot of attention in recent times, especially for its aesthetic applications. But in the hands of an acupuncturist, gua sha can make all the difference in cases of chronic pain, inflammation, muscle knots or tightness, and even immune response. In gua sha, a smooth tool is applied to the flesh in a way that raises painless red streaks or dots called petechiae. In addition to reducing localized pain, it has also been studied for relief of conditions as varied as hepatitis, migraines, and Tourette’s syndrome.

Chinese Herbal Medicine

A regimen of extremely high quality herbal formulas are recommended to help address acute or chronic issues in the body systems, reduce pain and inflammation, improve immunity, reduce stress, elevate mood, reduce food cravings, aid in weight loss, restore symbiosis in the body’s microbiomes, and assist in other possible conditions.

What’s it like to use Chinese herbal medicine?

First, we assess the current and historical state of the body, either during a traditional acupuncture appointment or in a special consultation for herbal medicine alone. (These are conducted in person or over secure video during a telemedicine appointment. The intake forms are important to complete in depth prior to your appointment. The first stand-alone herbal consultation is an hour long and subsequent ones are 30 minutes. ) Once the proper herbal remedies are prescribed, subsequent check-in sessions track their effectiveness and suggest other lifestyle modifications to enhance the effect of the regimen.

During the regimen, Chines herbal formulas are are taken by mouth or in some cases applied to the skin or delivered via soaking of the feet. If by mouth, the options for delivery are brewed into a tea or swallowed as capsules or granules. They are most effective when taken regularly over a period of time, and in conjunction with a series of check-ins to gauge progress. The switching of formulas as certain benchmarks are met is almost always required.

Chinese herbal medicine is usually, and for best results, combined with a series of traditional acupuncture and/or electric medicine techniques. However, this modality may also be explored on its own.

Health insurance does not cover herbal consultation or therapy. Recommended formulas may be purchased directly from your practitioner or on the open market, although good quality sourcing is important to avoid counterfeiting and contaminants. Some herbs can cause interactions with other supplements or medications and should only be taken under the care of your physician and acupuncturist.