Electroacupuncture
Electroacupuncture
Electroacupuncture is acupuncture with a small, steady current passed between pairs of needles. You feel a tapping or buzzing, and your acupuncturist sets the strength with you. Some people who like a stronger sensation choose it.
It is an add-on to an acupuncture session, and you can say no to it.
Your setting
You tell us how it feels, and we adjust.
Not for everyone
Tell us first if you have a pacemaker or another implant.
Your session
What a session is like, in order
- 01
Step 1: We agree on it first
Your acupuncturist explains what you will feel and asks about implants and devices.
- 02
Step 2: Needles go in
As in any acupuncture session, at points chosen after you talk.
- 03
Step 3: The current is added
Small clips link pairs of needles. We start very low and raise it slowly.
- 04
Step 4: You rest
For a few minutes, with the control within reach.
- 05
Step 5: The clips come off
The needles come out and we talk about the next session.
Before you come
Tell us first
Say any of these when you book or at the start of your session. None of them means you cannot come.
Pregnancy
Some points and techniques are avoided in pregnancy. Tell us if you are or might be pregnant.
Blood thinners
Medicines that thin the blood, and supplements like fish oil, can change how we plan a session.
A pacemaker or implant
Some implanted devices rule out electroacupuncture. Tell us what you have.
Lymph node removal
If you have had lymph nodes removed, we avoid needles on that side.
A bleeding disorder
Tell us before your first visit so your acupuncturist can plan around it.
Needle fear
Many people feel this way. We go slowly, show you the needle first and stop whenever you ask.
Plain answers
What you may feel afterward, and what this does not do
Most people feel relaxed afterward, and some feel a little tired or sore. The tapping sensation stops when the current stops.
How many sessions people plan for
Many people try it a time or two and decide whether it suits them. There is no set number.
What it does not do, and when to see a doctor instead
Electroacupuncture is not used if you have a pacemaker or another implanted electrical device, and we leave it out in pregnancy unless your acupuncturist and your doctor agree. It does not replace medical care. If something has changed suddenly, see your doctor first. In an emergency, call 911.
Book a session
Tell us what you are training for, and we find a time that fits.