{"id":53565,"date":"2016-10-31T07:15:11","date_gmt":"2016-10-31T11:15:11","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/dailyburn.com\/life\/?p=53565"},"modified":"2021-08-26T13:21:48","modified_gmt":"2021-08-26T17:21:48","slug":"electroacupuncture-benefits-guide","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dailyburn.com\/life\/health\/electroacupuncture-benefits-guide\/","title":{"rendered":"Everything You Need to Know About Electroacupuncture"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Everything
Photo: Pond5<\/a><\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

You\u2019re probably familiar with the thousands-year-old practice of acupuncture,<\/a>\u00a0touted as a remedy for everything from chronic pain<\/a> to asthma<\/a> to infertility. But now, this wellness treatment is getting a serious boost\u2026from an electrical current.<\/p>\n

While electroacupuncture isn\u2019t entirely new, it\u2019s definitely becoming more popular. How it works: \u201cYou take clips \u2014 like you\u2019re going to jump your car \u2014 and connect them to the acupuncture needle, then connect them to an electrical current,\u201d says Dr.<\/a> Anna Folckomer, a New York City-based licensed acupuncturist. The machine then sends pulses into the body.<\/p>\n

Sound kind of scary? Don\u2019t worry, this isn\u2019t some Frankenstein nightmare. The results of this high-powered alternative medicine can get shockingly good. Learn all about how it\u2019s making waves below.<\/p>\n

RELATED: <\/strong>Injured Again? The Scoop on Dry Needling and Graston Technique<\/a><\/p>\n

Electroacupuncture: How It Works<\/strong><\/h2>\n

According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, acupuncture helps restore balance<\/a> in the body by\u00a0activating your \u201cqi\u201d (pronounced \u201cchee\u201d) or life force. A disrupted qi can lead to pain, illness or other conditions. Depending on your symptoms, an acupuncturist will insert superfine needles into your skin and manipulate them by hand to stimulate specific points on the body. This is meant to release any blockages.<\/p>\n

“The therapy can help with optimal performance and recovery from training sessions thanks to how effectively it releases trigger points.”<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Electroacupuncture uses the same principles and pressure points as the traditional needling method, but it adds a microcurrent to the needle. Practitioners adjust the frequency of the current and the number of electrons that flow through the wire to the body. \u201cIt\u2019s like someone sitting there tapping the needle, constantly stimulating it in a way that you can\u2019t achieve with your hand,\u201d says Folckomer. \u201c[This method] enhances the function of that specific point and activates different types of regeneration in the body.<\/p>\n

Besides working through pressure points, the therapy also taps into your nervous system. \u201cLow frequency electroacupuncture is said to be associated with a greater output of endorphins<\/a> from the nervous system,\u201d says Peter Dubitsky<\/a>, MS, director of clinical training at the Tri-State College of Acupuncture<\/a> and practitioner at the Izland Integrative Wellness Center and Institute of Rhinebeck<\/a>. \u201c[These endorphins] circulate in your bloodstream longer, providing an extended period of pain relief compared to acupuncture alone.\u201d The neutrons traveling throughout your body can also provide better tissue healing and wound repair.<\/p>\n

RELATED: <\/strong>Is Your Massage Doing More Harm Than Good?<\/a><\/p>\n

Amping Up the Results <\/strong><\/h3>\n

Dubitsky and Folckomer regularly incorporate electroacupuncture into their patients\u2019 care to treat a wide range of conditions from anxiety<\/a> to skin issues to addiction. Recently, researchers found that the treatment can also benefit gut health<\/a>, particularly for those suffering from chronic constipation<\/a>. And it may help relieve symptoms of joint pain, fatigue<\/a> and depression in breast cancer patients<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Athletes<\/a> might also see some promising results from electroacupuncture. According to Dubitsky, the therapy can help with optimal performance and recovery from training sessions thanks to how effectively it releases trigger points. \u201cThese are bands of hyper-irritated muscle tissues that can come from imbalances in nutrition<\/a>, overuse<\/a>, strain or trauma,\u201d says Dubitsky. \u201cWith a trigger point technique, you can get the muscle to twitch and then relax.\u201d The outcome: a more balanced muscle structure and pain or tightness relief in that particular area. This pay-off usually occurs after one to three sessions.<\/p>\n

RELATED: <\/strong>Are You Too Sore to Work Out? (Plus Recover Tips)<\/a><\/p>\n

Dubitsky has actually used electroacupuncture to treat plantar fasciitis<\/a> \u2014 the bane of many runners.\u00a0A combination of needles inserted in the lower leg and surface electrodes on the bottom of the foot help heal the injury. He\u2019s performed\u00a0a similar technique for treating carpal tunnel syndrome, too. (There’s actually\u00a0research<\/a>\u00a0that shows it’s effective.) He places\u00a0electrodes on the wrist to treat the carpal tunnel area, with needles on the surrounding muscles.<\/p>\n

If you\u2019ve broken a bone, electroacupuncture may even help you heal faster. \u201cIt can stimulate bone growth, nerve regeneration, ligament health and capillary formation,\u201d says Folckomer. \u201cIf you have a fracture and apply a low frequency microcurrent, it will help you re-establish the bone matrix and knit the bone faster.\u201d<\/p>\n

Your First Session: What to Expect<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Like any treatment, your acupuncturist will start by asking about your medical history and symptoms. \u201cSince this is a holistic practice, if you come in for shoulder pain, I want to know about your digestion<\/a>, elimination, breathing, everything,\u201d says Folckomer. \u201cI\u2019m getting the most information possible so that I can customize your treatment plan.\u201d Those with an electrical device (like a pacemaker or defibrillator) or pregnant women would be better off skipping a shock session.<\/p>\n

“While the thought of becoming a human pincushion makes some people woozy, don\u2019t fret. Insertion of the needles often doesn\u2019t hurt.”<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Treatment then takes place on a table, as it does during a massage<\/a>.\u00a0You may be dressed or undressed (but covered by sheets). Some practitioners may leave the room after placing the needles to give you time to rest and relax<\/a>. If that makes you uneasy, you can always ask your practitioner to stay. Some experts may also use acupressure or myofascial release<\/a> to further enhance your session.<\/p>\n

RELATED: <\/strong>5 Foam Rolling Moves You Aren\u2019t Doing (But Should)<\/a><\/p>\n

While the thought of becoming a human pincushion makes some people woozy, don\u2019t fret. Insertion of the needles often doesn\u2019t hurt. And the electrical current shouldn\u2019t feel like you\u2019re getting shocked, either. \u201cYou might be aware of a pulse or a dull heaviness\u201d with the current, says Folckomer. But serious pain? Probably not. Just don\u2019t be surprised if you feel multiple sensations throughout your body \u2014 even in areas far from the needles. For example, some people may get a needle in their back, but feel a tingling in their foot, Folckomer says.<\/p>\n

When your treatment is over, take your time getting off the table. \u201cPeople are often surprised by how they feel afterwards,\u201d says Dubitsky. His patients describe everything from a profound sense of relaxation<\/a> to feeling a bit spacey or drained. \u201cYou may also feel sore the next day, depending on the technique used,\u201d he says, especially with trigger point therapy. \u201cThere\u2019s also the possibility that the needle may leave a bruise, but that\u2019s not very common.\u201d<\/p>\n

Of course, chat with your doctor before trying this practice. And if you do head in for a session, sit back and relax.\u00a0The outcome just might shock you.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

From running aches to gut health, electroacupuncture has been said to help with many ailments. But does it work? Does it hurt? The answers might shock you.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":41,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_seopress_robots_primary_cat":"","_seopress_titles_title":"","_seopress_titles_desc":"","_seopress_robots_index":"","site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[7,11],"tags":[289,144,74,82,341,364],"class_list":["post-53565","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-health","category-health-hacks","tag-exercise","tag-injury","tag-pain","tag-recovery","tag-tax1living-well","tag-tax2alternative-treatments"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/dailyburn.com\/life\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/53565","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/dailyburn.com\/life\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/dailyburn.com\/life\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dailyburn.com\/life\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/41"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dailyburn.com\/life\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=53565"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/dailyburn.com\/life\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/53565\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/dailyburn.com\/life\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=53565"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dailyburn.com\/life\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=53565"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dailyburn.com\/life\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=53565"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}