Electro-acupuncture

Electro-acupuncture is a kind of therapy by which the needle is attached to a trace pulse current after it is inserted to the selected acupoint for the purpose of producing synthetic effect of electric and needling stimulation. Different kinds of electric instruments are used. Most of them are composed of semiconductor elements and adopt oscillators. They generate low-frequency impulse current which is close to bioelectric current in the human body.
  
Manipulations

After the needle is inserted into a certain acupoint and the needling sensation is felt, adjust the output potential instrument of the electro-acupuncture stimulator to zero, then connect the two output wires with the two needle handles, select the required waveform and frequency, and then gradually amplify the output current to the tolerance of the patient. One to two minutes later, the human body will be adaptive to the stimulation and feel that the stimulation is getting weaker. At the time, increase the output current appropriately. The stimulation continues for 10 - 20 minutes or longer according to the pathological conditions of the patient. When the treatment is finished, the output potential instrument is adjusted back to zero, the electricity supply is cut off, the wires are taken away and then the needles are withdrawn.
  
Scope of application

Generally speaking, it can be used to treat any disease within the indication of acupuncture, especially pain syndromes, obstructive syndromes, flaccidity syndromes. It can also be used for acupuncture anaesthesia.
  
Cautions

Before using the electro-acupuncture stimulator, careful examination must be made to make sure that it is in good condition and that the switches are off.

The current should be reinforced gradually in adjustment. Sudden increase should be avoided lest spasm of the muscles and breaking of the needles be caused.

If the highest output voltage of the electro-acupuncture stimulator is over 40 volts, the strongest output current should be controlled within 1 mA to prevent electric shock.

For the patients with cardiopathy, the current return circuit through the heart should be avoided. For the patients with weak physique, it is inadvisable to adopt strong current in order to avoid fainting.

It is inadvisable to select the needles that were used for heated needling, because their handle surface is oxidized and cannot conduct electricity.