Electro-acupuncture & TENS machines
In electro-acupuncture an electrical current is run from an electro machine through connecting cables. The cables are attached to the heads of acupuncture needles to assist in stimulating the muscle via differing electrotherapeutic methods.
With a Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulator (TENS) the cables are placed on the surface of the skin to deliver small electrical impulses through adhesive pads.
Electro-acupuncture has a greater effect than a TENS machine for several reasons:
It has the benefit of piercing through the skin and going deeper into the tissue. The skin has a natural electrical resistance. However, muscles and nerves have less resistance allowing the electrical current to have a greater effect when it travels through the needle and into the muscle tissue.
There are different types of electrical current that can be run through the acupuncture needles. Different types of electrical currents can be used for specific purposes such as repairing connective tissue tears, muscle strains or ligament/tendon damage.
Only electro-acupuncture is able to get deeper into the tissue into the affected area and combines the healing effects of acupuncture with electrotherapeutics, to strengthen clinical results of either on their own.
