Basics of Acupuncture

Effectiveness of Acupuncture and Acupuncture-like Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (ACUTENS) in treating primary dysmenorrhea- A randomised controlled trial (RCT)

“…Improvement in Helms" study was defined as an average post-treatment score of less than half of the pretreatment pain score 9 . This study did reveal a significant decrease in pain over time for both the acupuncture and ACUTENS groups which lasted as long as hours and days have been documented by other researchers after treatment with TENS 12,13,14 According to the concept of traditional Chinese medicine ideas, dysmenorhea could be caused by an excess type disturbance with cramp type pain which increases with stress or warmth and radiate into the legs or back 18 , or rarely a deficiency type disturbance, which is characterized by dull pain, dizziness, tiredness or sensitivity to cold during menstruation that is relieved by warmth 18 . Acupuncture stimulation activated A-δ and C afferent fibers in muscle 16,17 during needle stimulation of acupuncture points thus, signals are transmitted to the spinal cord, and via afferent pathways to the midbrain 16,17 .…”

“…With ACUTENS, small diameter, high threshold fibres are activated. Thus, stimulation with acupuncture-like TENS recruits type III fibres causing a greater release of endorphins than with the use of conventional TENS 18 . The results of the present study did not show any significant difference between acupuncture and ACUTENS in the level of pain reduction post treatment.…”

“…Advantages include omission of certain risk of using needles such as infection. Many patients have a fear of needles and prefer TENS 14,18 . Perhaps the most compelling reason for TENS is the ease of use and the fact that not as much as precision is required in placement of pads over the acupuncture points as pushing the needles through the skin and muscle fibres to produce "de qi" sensations given the large areas covered by the pad.…”

“…This is because the pulse shapes they emit cause burning and cutting sensation from skin nerve instead of "de qi" sensation from type III muscle afferents. Even with proper TENS devices, some patients do not like strong stimulation, unpleasant sensations and strong muscular contraction accompanying ACUTENS and hence they never achieve the benefit of stimulating type III muscle afferents "de qi" sensations which is the main goal of treating pain with acupuncture 18 . It could therefore be advisable that before applying ACUTENS, the units should be tried out by the clinician to see if "de qi" sensation could be achieved without accompanying burning sensation from the skin.…”

Yellow laser acupuncture - A new option for prevention and early intervention of lifestyle-related diseases: A randomized, placebo-controlled trial in volunteers

“…4,5) Neiguan is located at the wrist, between the tendons of m. palmaris longus and m. flexor carpi radialis, 2 cun proximal to the transverse crease of the wrist, and it is a very important point in disorders of the upper abdomen and for heart disorders. 4,5) Taichong is located on the dorsum of the foot, between the first and second metatarsal bones, 2 cun proximal to the margin of the web; it should be a very important point in the treatment of hypertension.…”