Other related ACUPUNCTURE techniques
Electro-Acupuncture (1)
Difference electrical frequency and voltages can be applied to the acupuncture needles. Depending on specific desired patient outcome, different electrical frequency can be used. For dull chronic pain, low electrical frequency is often applied to acupuncture needles since the onset of pain relief is slow but is able to provide hours to days of pain relief. For treatment of sharp and acute pain, high electrical frequency is often applied to acupuncture needles as the onset of pain relief is fast but unfortunately short in duration. (1)
Moxibustion (2)
Using in TCM for thousands of years for the treatment of cold by promoting the flow of Qi and thus stimulating blood flow to targeted organs and tissues. The art of moxibustion can be divided into direct and indirect moxibustion. In direct moxibustion, acupuncture points are directly stimulated through heat via a moxa stick. A moxa stick is composed of dried mugwort herb (Artemisia Vulgaris) wrapped in paper to an average diameter of 2 cm. In indirect moxibustion, the moxa stick is placed closed to but never touching the acupuncture point until the affected area is red and hot to touch. Indirection moxibustion is more popular due to lower risk of scaring and pain compared to direct moxibustion. (2)
Acupressure
Instead of using acupuncture needles, pressure applied from the thumbs and fingers are used instead. In recent years, acupressure wristband has been emerging in North America for the treatment of motion sickness and nausea.
Auricular Acupuncture (3)
The ear is an area believed to be saturated with acupuncture points that can alter the body’s internal physiological function, organs, tissue and bony structure. These points can either be stimulated via acupuncture needles or via ear seeds or ear tacks. Unlike acupuncture needles, sear seeds and ear tacks can be used for a much longer duration (up to weeks). In the case of ear seeds, seeds from the vaccaria plants are placed on the acupuncture points and adhesive tape is then applied over it. Ear tacks are similar to ear seeds with the exception that they are small needles rather than vaccaria seeds. In some occasion, the acupuncturist may encourage the patients to stimulate these targeted acupuncture points by putting pressure on the vaccaria seeds or ear tacks (3)
Difference electrical frequency and voltages can be applied to the acupuncture needles. Depending on specific desired patient outcome, different electrical frequency can be used. For dull chronic pain, low electrical frequency is often applied to acupuncture needles since the onset of pain relief is slow but is able to provide hours to days of pain relief. For treatment of sharp and acute pain, high electrical frequency is often applied to acupuncture needles as the onset of pain relief is fast but unfortunately short in duration. (1)
Moxibustion (2)
Using in TCM for thousands of years for the treatment of cold by promoting the flow of Qi and thus stimulating blood flow to targeted organs and tissues. The art of moxibustion can be divided into direct and indirect moxibustion. In direct moxibustion, acupuncture points are directly stimulated through heat via a moxa stick. A moxa stick is composed of dried mugwort herb (Artemisia Vulgaris) wrapped in paper to an average diameter of 2 cm. In indirect moxibustion, the moxa stick is placed closed to but never touching the acupuncture point until the affected area is red and hot to touch. Indirection moxibustion is more popular due to lower risk of scaring and pain compared to direct moxibustion. (2)
Acupressure
Instead of using acupuncture needles, pressure applied from the thumbs and fingers are used instead. In recent years, acupressure wristband has been emerging in North America for the treatment of motion sickness and nausea.
Auricular Acupuncture (3)
The ear is an area believed to be saturated with acupuncture points that can alter the body’s internal physiological function, organs, tissue and bony structure. These points can either be stimulated via acupuncture needles or via ear seeds or ear tacks. Unlike acupuncture needles, sear seeds and ear tacks can be used for a much longer duration (up to weeks). In the case of ear seeds, seeds from the vaccaria plants are placed on the acupuncture points and adhesive tape is then applied over it. Ear tacks are similar to ear seeds with the exception that they are small needles rather than vaccaria seeds. In some occasion, the acupuncturist may encourage the patients to stimulate these targeted acupuncture points by putting pressure on the vaccaria seeds or ear tacks (3)
Reference:
1. What is acupuncture. http://www.afcinstitute.com/AboutAcupuncture/WhatisAcupuncture/tabid/73/Default.aspx. Accessed July 2, 2013
2. Acupuncture today. http://www.acupuncturetoday.com/abc/moxibustion.php. Accessed July 3, 2013
3. Ear acupuncture. http://www.acupuncture.com/education/tcmbasics/earacu.htm. Accessed July 3, 2013
1. What is acupuncture. http://www.afcinstitute.com/AboutAcupuncture/WhatisAcupuncture/tabid/73/Default.aspx. Accessed July 2, 2013
2. Acupuncture today. http://www.acupuncturetoday.com/abc/moxibustion.php. Accessed July 3, 2013
3. Ear acupuncture. http://www.acupuncture.com/education/tcmbasics/earacu.htm. Accessed July 3, 2013