Acupuncture and cupping therapy are well-known techniques in Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM).
Chinese medicine theories postulate that there is energy (Qi, pronounced “Chi”) travelling in the network of channels (translated as meridians) throughout tissues and organs. When there is energy flow obstruction in the meridians, it eventually lead to dysfunctions and dis-ease, and later manifests as clinical conditions.
If the condition is amenable by acupuncture, the physician may treat by inserting and stimulating tiny needles in specific combinations of points along relevant meridians, to regulate and the flow of Qi to restore equilibrium and reduce symptoms.
Acupuncture versus dry needling
By definition, all acupuncture is dry needling – this is because in the 1950’s and 1960’s the medical doctors in the West started to inject local anaesthetics and other medications (hence “wet” needling) into painful spots in the muscles to alleviate symptoms. Later on, it was discovered that it was the needling in itself conferred much of the clinical benefits irrespective of substances that was used. These practices are different from traditional acupuncture in theory and practice.
In today’s context, dry needling is practiced by many physiotherapists, nurses, chiropractors, and medical doctors with the focus on the neuromusculoskeletal system. Dry needling courses are typically short courses over a weekend or a number of weekends.
Acupuncture, on the other hand, as practiced by acupuncturists who meet Australian registration standards, require at least an undergraduate or masters degree, with significantly longer training in the diagnosis and treatment of the visceral and other conditions according to Chinese medicine theories.
What is electroacupuncture?
Electroacupuncture is a technique in acupuncture where a small electrical current is passed through a set of acupuncture points in order to strengthen the effect of stimulation.
Clinically, electroacupuncture is most commonly used as a means of pain relief and pain control. Sometimes it is also used to stimulate certain muscles whose activities are weak due to stroke or nerve injuries. The frequencies, intensity, and wave forms of stimulation of electroacupuncture differ depending on the therapeutic effects required.
Training and experience essential for safe practice
There has been reports since before the 1990’s where inadequate or insufficient training in acupuncture or dry needling result in greater incidence of adverse events. Here is an article on the incidence of pneumothorax (an emergency where air pockets are formed in the chest wall, compressing against the lungs and causing breathing distress) compiled by Australian researchers published in the Archives of Family Medicine in 2000.