Acupuncture

Acupuncture Is An Ancient System Of Pain Relief

New Technology Using Acupuncture Pens Means You Can Do This Method At Home, Office, Or When Traveling

Traditional acupuncture is done with needles and this requires a professional. I have worked with the president of the PA acupuncture society for a while who was a Physiatrist. I would treat patients after their needling. I have had this done on myself and it is not painful and can be quite effective.

If you would like this treatment, I highly recommend you use a Board Certified Acupuncturist. I have also used dry needling, which is a method treating specific areas, however, I used mainly an electrical form of acupuncture that does not incorporate needles.

There are many ways to stimulate acupoints and some notice a similarity to trigger points. Moxibustion is another method using an herbal heating method as well as manual pressure and using specific acupressure tools. However, these points have altered electrical activity that can be measured using sensitive equipment.

Electroacupuncture is technically passing an electrical current through the needles. New units or pens provide stimulation and can actually detect the points with audible feedback, so you know exactly where to treat. Treatment is not painful and there are many beneficial effects.

Acupuncture Pens

This is a picture of a unit I used for many years purchased in 1993.

acupunture

I chose this over some very expensive, large clinic only based units and was very pleased. The portability was a plus because for a period of time I made house calls. Yes, portable table for adjusting and myofascial techniques, and I was always pleased with results from using my portable electroacupunture unit.

acupuncture pen

Now, as pictured above, there are inexpensive units using “pens” that can offer this type of acupuncture safely at home. They are easy to use and very popular. This gives you an additional method to target pain in the comfort of your own home.

There are many theories about the method of relief, mainly via nerve and chemical. It is known that stimulating the skin with an acupuncture needle or electrical impulse triggers the brainstem to increase levels of endorphins – your body’s natural pain reliever. The levels are increased in the blood, spinal fluid, and gastrointestinal tract.

Levels can build up within 30 seconds, but results may not be appreciated by the patient for 12 to 24 hours. Interestingly, an active endorphin is a circulating hormone, so the side of the body treated makes little or no difference (other than psychological).

When using electrical stimulation via these new pens, a small diameter electrode, no bigger than a dime can be used. The site is specific and treating combinations of sites can trigger endorphins that affect pain in various areas of the body. So, a wide range of conditions can be treated and these are very versatile tools.

acupuncture pens at amazon

Acupuncture points are usually tender to the touch and located in palpable depressions under the skin. Sometimes lack of tenderness in pertinent locations can be diagnostic. The electrical units measure skin resistance to a current, showing areas where this resistance is altered (+/-).

Typically, when treating the correct site, a common reaction is hyperemia or a histamine reaction around the point. There may be a sensation of tingling that can radiate down the pint stimulated; a sensation called Taechi. But treatment with these portable electrical acupuncture pens is usually pleasant and effective, making treatment at home or anywhere you go safe and easy to use anytime.

Author Bio

Stephen Ornstein, D.C. has treated thousands of neck, shoulder and back conditions since graduating Sherman Chiropractic College in 1987 and during his involvement in Martial Arts. He holds certifications as a Peer Review Consultant from New York Chiropractic College, Physiological Therapeutics from National Chiropractic College, Modic Antibiotic Spinal Therapy from Dr. Hanne Albert, PT., MPH., Ph.D., Myofascial Release Techniques from Logan Chiropractic College, and learned Active Release Technique from the founder, P. Michael Leahy, DC, ART, CCSP.