For roughly 4,500 years, acupuncture has offered a natural, effective path to healing and balance. Today, this ancient practice continues to evolve, offering even more powerful ways to support your health.
At Lakeside Neurology and Wellness Center, patients benefit from the personalized, comprehensive approach of board-certified neurologist and medical acupuncturist, Lori Schneider, MD. Dr. Schneider specializes in both traditional acupuncture methods and modern techniques, like electroacupuncture.
Curious how adding electricity can enhance the benefits of acupuncture? Here, explore the science behind electroacupuncture and learn what it can do for you.
Traditional acupuncture involves inserting fine needles into specific points, known as acupoints. These points lie along energy pathways, or meridians, in the body, and stimulating them can help to restore balance and activate your body’s natural ability to heal.
Electroacupuncture builds on this process by attaching a device that delivers a gentle electric current through pairs of these needles. This low-level stimulation isn’t painful or shocking — most patients describe the sensation as a mild tingle or pulse.
By adjusting the frequency and intensity of the current, Dr. Schneider can precisely tailor the stimulation to your individual needs.
While traditional acupuncture is a powerful tool for healing, the added electrical stimulation of electroacupuncture can amplify the therapeutic effects for some patients. Dr. Schneider may recommend this technique in situations such as:
Acupuncture can support your body’s healing processes after injuries, such as sprains or strains, by boosting blood flow and reducing inflammation in and around the area. By adding an electric current to the needles, electroacupuncture provides more direct stimulation, potentially reducing swelling and pain faster than with traditional methods alone.
The insertion of needles into specific acupoints can help modulate nerve signals and encourage the release of endorphins, among other natural pain-relieving chemicals in your body. Electroacupuncture can enhance these effects by delivering more sustained and potentially stronger stimulation to these nerve pathways, which may lead to more significant and longer-lasting pain relief for chronic conditions like back pain or arthritis.
Research suggests that the stimulation delivered during electroacupuncture may trigger the release of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), which play a role in the regeneration of various tissues. This potential to activate the body’s own repair mechanisms can be particularly beneficial for patients recovering from injuries like ligament tears or fractures, as well as those with degenerative conditions affecting tissues, such as osteoarthritis.
If you’re interested in exploring electroacupuncture, Dr. Schneider can assess your needs to determine if this amplified approach is the best way to address your specific concerns. The treatment may not be suitable for individuals who use a pacemaker, have epilepsy, or a history of seizures, stroke, or heart disease.
Explore your personalized treatment options by scheduling a consultation with Dr. Schneider. Contact Lakeside Neurology and Wellness Center in Cornelius, North Carolina, to book today.
