ELECTROACUPUNCTURE


Introduction

Electrical stimulation of parts of the body using a variety of methods has long been known to be beneficial in producing hypoalgesia or in inducing segmental stimulation at both the visceral and skeletal levels.

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Electroacupuncture, or EAP, is a method of stimulating acupuncture points using low voltage electric current.

In ancient times, the Chinese used acupuncture to induce surgical analgesia. In today's human surgery, it is used in combination with opioids to produce local analgesia before certain operations. Studies and applications also exist in veterinary medicine, where they have focused in particular on cattle.

In clinical practice, EAP plays an important role in the treatment of osteomuscular pathologies (chronic pain), myositis (myofascial pain) and central or peripheral myopathies such as paresis and paralysis.
It is also used to act on smooth muscle by stimulating paravertebral segmental points.

Application

EAP relies on the passage of alternating current produced by a generator with multiple outputs whose frequency and intensity can be modulated.

 

This generator is equipped with electrical cables whose free end features a small clip which is connected to the handles of normal "Chinese" needles after the latter have been inserted in the acupoints and trigger points. Depending on the problem being treated, application time can vary from 10 to 45 minutes, using several points simultaneously.
Direct current can also be used in a variety of ways, though greater caution is required.


Technical Notes

EAP differs from Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation, or TENS, in its basic electrophysiology (biphasic wave, activation of Aa/ß fibers, gate theory), transcutaneous action, and use of high frequencies and low intensity.

The distinguishing features of EAP are thus:

  • The output wave, which is a biphasic square wave (i.e., a positive wave with a negative peak, and pulse width between 0.2 and 0.4 msec)
  • The use of low frequencies and high intensity ('pain' component).

Application methods differ according to the pathology to be treated.
Current can be applied continuously or intermittently, and with frequencies from 2 or 3Hz to 100-150Hz.
The mediators liberated during EAP application will depend on the frequency used:

  • Low frequencies: ß-endorphins and met-enkephalins from the brain
  • High frequencies (over i 100Hz): dynorphins from the spinal cord.

The treatment's aim is to stimulate one of the following:
- Root of the nerve or dermatome
- Distal and proximal points of the meridian concerned
- Trigger points.

Consequently, the needles are placed at local or distal points (antique Shu points) according to the symptomatology to be treated, using special action or master points.
These points have a specific anatomical location:

  • Adjacent to the passage of a peripheral nerve
  • Near the tendinomuscular junctions
  • In the periostal area
  • In the venter musculi.

    Advantages

The main advantages of EAP are as follows:

  • Points that are difficult to treat, especially in certain species of animal, can be stimulated continuously in controlled fashion.
  • Treatments can be performed at intervals ranging from 7 to 15 days.
  • It achieves greater lymphatic drainage and more intense local antiedemigenic action, thanks in part to the greater vasodilation it produces.
  • Greater electroconductivity of muscles and nerves, which means that EAP can make a significant contribution to assisting recovery after spinal surgery and in cases of chronic paresis.
  • It is beneficial in physical rehabilitation after trauma or surgery.

Contraindications

Particular care must be taken with pregnant patients, as EAP stimulation can induce miscarriage. Caution must also be exercised when using high frequencies in areas affected by dermatological problems.

(V. Rovani: "Electroacupuncture"; in Veterinary Acupuncture Notes, Volume I, S.I.A.V., Torino 1999).