Electroacupuncture

Acupuncture is the insertion of needles at certain points of the body to initiate a healing response. Acupuncture treatments affect the body by easing pain and releasing endorphins, enhancing blood flow and circulation, decreasing cortisol levels, and calming the nervous system. ​​​

 

Electroacupuncture means we add electric stimulation to the acupuncture needles placed in the body. A palm-sized machine that is able to produce an electric current is connected to the acupuncture needles via alligator clips attached to wires. This machine is similar to a TENS unit (which instead uses sticky pads that attach to the skin/surface of the body).

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At Hidden Root Acupuncture, we use a "top of the line" electroacupuncture machine: the Japanese-made ITO ES-130 3 Channel Electro Stimulation Unit. This compact machine was designed and calibrated to meet all essential safety and regulatory industry standards.

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Electroacupuncture has been proven through research (see linked studies in the list below!) to effectively treat:

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• acute pain and chronic pain of varying types including:

  • low back pain and neck pain 

  • pain from degenerative osteoarthritis 

• muscle spasms and muscle tension

• muscle atrophy and paralysis

• neurological issues including:

• • facial paralysis and Bell's Palsy

  • stroke, traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury

  • memory impairment, dementia, and Alzheimer's

  • Parkinson's disease

• incontinence

• anxiety

• headache and migraine

• insomnia

 

... the list goes on! ​

You might feel a small pinch of the needle insertion, but generally the placement of the needles should be comfortable and nearly painless. Once the alligator clips are attached, the estim machine is turned on to create a gentle, pulsing current that feels like a mild vibration, tingle, or tapping sensation.

 

Your practitioner will slowly turn up the intensity of this sensation until it reaches a level that you feel is strong, but not painful. Adjustments to these levels may be made throughout the treatment.

Electroacupuncture provides a stronger and more continuous stimulus than "regular acupuncture without electricity" and can affect a larger part of the body beyond the acupoint. 

 

Electrical stimulation is also known to increase the release of endorphins, our "pain relieving" neurotransmitters that block pain signals in our brains. This release can enhance the effectiveness of the electroacupuncture treatment for pain and promote relaxation and stress relief.