Sunday, November 27, 2016

Electroacupuncture

    Electroacupuncture
By: Kyle Magyar

For my final blog I believe I saved the most interesting for last. Though this is an add on to one of my previous blogs, I found it to be extreme and the most unique. This modality is electroacupuncture, this uses the same points as regular acupuncture. However, instead of just leaving pins in for a duration, electricity is connected to the pin and small charges are sent through certain points of the body. We use something similar already today known as electric stimulation machines, also known as E-Stim machines. The application of a pulsating electrical current to acupuncture needles as a means of stimulating the acupoints, was developed in China as an extension of hand manipulation of acupuncture needles around 1934.2
    In my previous blog over acupuncture, I discussed the multiple benefits believed to come from the treatment; electroacupuncture takes it one step further. In a recent study done in 2006 scientist looked at various types of acupuncture for relief of vomiting due to chemotherapy and found that electroacupuncture showed a benefit.1 This can open a whole new option to help with the treatment of cancer side effects. There is however a disadvantage to this new therapy. The main disadvantage of electrical stimulation of acupuncture needles is the lack of direct practitioner participation in this aspect of acupuncture therapy and the associated limited opportunity for the practitioner to respond to changes that are taking place during treatment.2 With further study I think that this may be a new upcoming modality. Maybe not the most prevalent in athletes or competitors but in the elderly or those just needing help dealing with types of pain.
    There are always gonna be more and unique modalities to come to the surface in our future. It is up to us to research and keep on trying to better ourselves. Maybe next time you can enlighten me on a new modality that you have tried. These will continue to only evolve and get better which is why I am so excited for the future. I hope these blogs have been helpful and educational. Until next time, thank you for your time and God Bless.

References
  1. Weil, Andrew M.D, April 29, 2011, Q & A Library. Weil. Retrieved from: http://www.drweil.com/health-wellness/balanced-living/wellness-therapies/is-electroacupuncture-worthwhile/
  2. Natural Med Therapies, 1999, Electro-Acupuncture. Retrieved from: http://www.naturalmedtherapies.com/electro-acupuncture.html
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