Laser & Electroacupuncture

Question 1

What do the frequencies of EA achieve?

Answer 1

Lower frequencies (10 Hz or less) most affect enkephalins, endorphins, and visceral and somatic disorders, whereas higher frequencies (100 Hz or higher) affect dynorphins and neurological dysfunctions.

Question 2

What does the point LI4 stimulate in terms of EA?

Answer 2

Sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems

Question 3

How does EA affect the CNS and endogenous opioid control system?

Answer 3

Beta-endorphins 2-4hz (midbrain/PAG/pituitary)
Enkephalins 2-4 hz (dorsal horn of the spinal cord)
Dynorphins 50-100hz (brainstem/spine)
Orphanin 2/15hz (widespread)

Points that were used: LI4, LI11, ST36, LR3

Question 4

What is Laser an acronym for?

Answer 4

LASER is an acronym for Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation.

Question 5

What are the contraindications of Laser?

Answer 5

Active or suspected carcinoma - Contraindicated
Direct irradiation of the uterus in pregnant women
Irradiation of the testes
Directly over the thyroid gland as it has a sensitivity to light
Areas of haemorrhage as it increases blood flow in the area

Question 6

What happens when neuropeptides are released from the insertion of the acupuncture needle?

Answer 6

Prostaglandins, red and white blood cells. glutamate, substance P and serotonin can be released. This begins to down regulate the pain cascade resulting in reducing inflammation and starting the healing process of local and surrounding tissues, fights infection and increases local circulation.

Question 7

What is the neuromuscular mechanism of acupuncture?

Answer 7

Needling of the motor points of large muscle groups stimulate the neural compartments of those muscles. When these posts are needled, the relax and reset the tight muscle. When the muscles are in spasm, they apply pressure onto the surrounding joints and tissues.

Question 8

What is BL10?

Answer 8

Spinal segment innervation C2
Areas of influence: Occipital region, posterior cervical muscles, trapezium, shoulder
Conditions: migraine, headache, trapeze conditions, cervical conditions, shoulder conditions, depression

Question 9

What is GB20?

Answer 9

Spinal segment: C2
Area of influence: great auricular nerve
Relative conditions: migraines, headaches, trapeze conditions, cervical conditions, shoulder conditions.

Question 10

What is LI11?

Answer 10

Spinal segment: C5, C6, C7
Area of influence: elbow, face, cervical spine, forearm, hand, shoulder
Relative conditions: lateral epicondylitis, parenthesis, radiculopathy, headache, cervical pain

Question 11

What is LI4?

Answer 11

Spinal segment: C3-C8, posterior cord of the brachial plexus
Area of influence: hand, forearm, elbow, shoulder, cervical spine, face, chest, stomach, hypothalamus, PAG
Relative conditions: pain anywhere, same-side face, neck, throat. Cervical pathologies originating from C3-C8

Question 12

What is PC6?

Answer 12

Spinal segment innvervation: C6-T1. Medial and lateral cord of the brachial plexus
Area of influence: Carpal tunnel, fingers, hand, wrist, cardiac muscle
Conditions: CTS, median nerve pathology. cervical conditions effecting C6-T1, hypertension.

Question 13

What is SP9?

Answer 13

Spinal segment: L2, L3, L4. Extension of the femoral nerve-lumbar plexus
Area of influence: knee, foot, groin, abdominal cavity, lumbar spine
Conditions: Lower back pain, paresthesia, lower abdomen pathologies, urogenital pathologies, renal conditions, impotence, leg pain and weakness

Question 14

What is SP6?

Answer 14

Spinal segment: L4-S3, branch of sciatic nerve
Areas of influence: inner lower leg, sole of foot, groin, abdomen, reproductive organs
Relative conditions: sciatica, paresthesia, plantar fasciitis, lower abdomen pathologies, gynaecological

Question 15

What is GB34?

Answer 15

Bifurcation of sciatic nerve
L5 - S3
Calf, lumbar spine, lumbar muscles, knee , reproductive organs
Sciatica, lower back pain, lower leg pathologies

Question 16

What is BL57?

Answer 16

Branch of tibial nerve
L2-L4
Calf, achilles tendon, knee, lateral aspect of foot, little toe
Calf pain, haemorrhoids, radiculopathy of the leg, paraesthia of the lower leg, lumbar

Question 17

What is BL40?

Answer 17

Common fibular and the tibial branch
L4-S3
Knee, lumbar spine, calf
Sciatica, knee pain, rheumatoid arthritis, lumbar spine, calf and hamstring pathologies

Question 18

What is LV3?

Answer 18

L2-S2, distal branch of the sciatic nerve. Referred to as the fibular nerve
Foot, calf, knee, leg, lower back, lower abdomen, reproductive organs, pituitary, hypothalamus
Sciatica, neuralgia, headaches, migraines

Question 19

What is YaoYan?

Answer 19

L2, L5, superior cluneal nerves
Low back, sacral crest, lumbar spine
Sciatica, sacral pain, obstetric and gynaecological conditions

Question 20

What is EA used for from a chinese medicine perspective?

Answer 20

The use of EA is to promote the circulation of Qi
Stimulate the body’s healing processes
Has particular history in the treatment of Bi syndrome and other painful musculoskeletal conditions

Question 21

What is EA used for in terms of Western medicine?

Answer 21

stimulates nerves and the circulation of essential substances
Can modulate endogenous chemicals such as beta- endorphin
Increases circulation, promotes nutrient delivery and waste removal

Question 22

What is Milliamp?

Answer 22

one milliamp is equal to 1/1000amp

Question 23

What is a microamp?

Answer 23

one microamp is equal to 1/1000 milliamp or 1/1000,000 or an Amp

Question 24

What is the difference between milliamp and microamp?

Answer 24

Milliamp current – used in the majority of electro- acupuncture units. Milliamp can cause a muscle contraction
Microamp current – density cannot excite motor nerves and therefore cannot produce a muscle contraction

Question 25

What can micro current be used for?

Answer 25

Microcurrent accelerates the healing process
Has been used in ulcers, deeper tissues oedema

Question 26

What are the effects of EA?

Answer 26

Analgesic: emotional, pain
Adjustment: digestive, respiratory, cardiovascular, urogenital, neurohumoral
Increased circulation
Enhance immune system: anti-inflammatory efforts, anti- febrile effects
Induction of needling sensation
Circulation and tissue repair, contracting muscles act like a pump to increase blood, lymph and nutrients and help
remove lactic acid

Question 27

What do the different frequencies of EA do?

Answer 27

2 Hz produces release encephalin, β endorphin and endomorphin
100 Hz stimulates release of dynorphin
80-200 Hz has dynorphin and 5HT involved
1Hz showed involvement of histamine, dopamine and noradrenalin in the periaqueductal gray in animal studies
Elevation of Dopamine in medulla
oblongata

Question 28

What does EA do to some acupoints?

Answer 28

Pain – analgesia not anaesthesia
Digestive – in general, reduces gastric acidity, inc gastric blood flow, stimulates peristalsis
Respiratory – regulatory effects on neurochemical markers in asthma – PC6 & LU6
Cardiovascular improves HT function, reg BP & HR – PC pts 6 & 4, ST36 and GV26
Urogenital – regulatory effect on some aspects of the kidney
Neurohormonal – ST36 & BL23 lower blood glucose levels in animal studies

Question 29

What are some of the contraindications of EA?

Answer 29

Pregnancy
Coma
Febrile disease, septicaemia, TB, and other active infection The head of children under 12 – increased risk of seizure Over the carotid sinus or larynx
Pacemaker
Epilepsy
Cancer
DVT