This involves using tiny electrical charges which facilitate an immediate physiological response. It is similar to the sensation experienced when using a TENS machine but Electro-Acupuncture can stimulate the nerve/muscle fibres more effectively as the needles are placed intramuscularly prior to the start of the treatment.
Electrical tissue stimulation encourages the muscle contraction in two ways. It can facilitate the activation of damaged muscle fibres whilst also stimulating the sensory neurons surrounding the affected tissue.
This form of treatment can form an integral part of a structured rehabilitation programme. The main physiological benefits of this type of Acupuncture can include:
- Muscle Strengthening – Whilst exercise is a critical part of rehabilitation Electro-Acupuncture can help reduce recovery time if the muscle is weak or voluntary movement is limited.
- Facilitating Muscle Control – treatment can encourage patients to regain control over voluntary muscle function after a period of inactivity.
- Reducing Muscle Spasm and Spasticity – Spastic muscle tension and their associated antagonists can be activated through this treatment form. Deep needling can release trigger points that deep tissue massage is unable to activate.
- Improves Circulation & Tissue Repair – Electrical stimulation promotes a pumping action in the muscle fibres which in turns increases the blood being pumped through the muscle. This increase in circulation improves oxygenation, lymphatic function and tissue nutrition whilst reducing lactic acid build up. Used consistently Electro-stimulation can increase muscular fatigue resistance and can reduce tissue repair time by assisting the bodies natural healing mechanisms.
- Treating Denervated Muscle – Nerve injuries can result in complete loss of function of the affected muscle. This can subsequently lead to muscle wasting and a thickening of the tissue surrounding the injury site. Electro-Acupuncture can reduce the symptoms associated with compression nerve injury by innervating the motor nerve and facilitating tissue nourishment and repair.
(For Further Details on the benefits of Electro-Acupuncture; Electro-acupuncture. A Practical Manual and Resource. David Mayor. 2007. Elsevier ltd.)
