(1) operating procedures

Before use, adjust the intensity adjustment knob to zero (no output), and connect the two electrodes of each pair of outputs on the electro-acupuncture instrument to two silver needles respectively. Generally speaking, the same pair of output electrodes are connected to the same side of the body to prevent the current loop from passing through the heart. Turn on the power switch and gradually increase the current intensity. The clinical treatment time generally lasts 15 ~ 20min, from low frequency to medium frequency, which makes patients feel sore, bloated, hot or local muscle rhythmic contraction. If power is applied for a long time, the patient will have adaptability, that is, the sensory stimulation will become weaker and weaker. At this time, the stimulation intensity can be appropriately increased, or intermittent power supply mode can be adopted. Different diseases have different courses of treatment. Generally, 5 ~ 10 days is a course of treatment, once a day or every other day 1 time, and emergency patients are treated twice a day. The treatment interval can be 3-5 days. Electroacupuncture is usually used at more than 2 acupoints. If only a single acupuncture point is needed for electroacupuncture, you can choose the acupuncture point where the main nerve trunk passes (such as Huantiao point of the lower limb) for puncture and connect one electrode of the electroacupuncture instrument, and the other needle is connected with gauze soaked in water as an irrelevant electrode and fixed on the skin of the ipsilateral meridian.

(2) Select a point

The method of acupoint selection should be based not only on syndrome differentiation, but also on the distribution of nerve trunks and the movement points of muscles and nerves. For example:

Head and face: hearing, hurricane (facial nerve); Shimonoseki, Bai Yang, Silk White, Truncation (Trigeminal Nerve)

Upper limbs: cervical vertebrae 6 ~ 7, zenith (brachial plexus); Qingling, Xiaohai (ulnar nerve); Hand Wuli and Quchi (radial nerve); Qu Ze, Yamen and Neiguan (median nerve).

Lower limbs: cricoid cartilage jump, vulva (sciatic nerve); Commission (tibial nerve); Yanglingquan (common peroneal nerve); Knock on the door (femoral nerve).

Lumbosacral region: Qi Hai Shu (lumbar nerve); Eight jaws (sacral nerve).

Acupoint matching, if the nerve function is damaged, can be matched according to the nerve distribution characteristics. Such as facial paralysis, it is advisable to listen to the wind; Frontal wrinkle takes yang white and fish waist; The nasolabial groove becomes shallow and matches the groove; Corner askew warehouse, cheek car; Sciatic neuralgia is selected from Huantiao, Dachangshu, Yinmen, Weizhong and Yanglingquan.

(3) Selection of stimulation parameters

Electroacupuncture stimulation parameters include waveform, amplitude, width and frequency.

1. waveform Common pulse waveforms include square wave, spike wave, triangle wave and sawtooth wave, as well as positive square wave and negative spike wave (see Figure 6-2). Single pulse wave can be combined in different ways to form continuous wave, dense wave, intermittent wave and sawtooth wave.

Figure 6-2 Various DC Pulse Waveforms

2. Amplitude refers to the difference between the maximum value and the minimum value of pulse voltage or current, and also refers to the jump amplitude value from one state to another. The intensity of electroacupuncture stimulation mainly depends on the amplitude. Amplitude is generally measured in voltage (V). If the voltage suddenly jumps from 0 to 30V, the pulse amplitude is 30V, which is generally not more than 20V during treatment. If expressed in terms of current, it is mA, which is generally below 1mA and not more than 2mA. It is also expressed by the product of voltage and current. The stimulation intensity of electroacupuncture varies from person to person. Generally, it is moderate in intensity and can be tolerated by patients. Too strong or too weak will affect the curative effect.

3. The wave width refers to the duration of the pulse. The pulse width is also related to the intensity of stimulation. The wider the pulse width, the greater the amount of stimulation. The output pulse width suitable for human body is about 0.4 ms

4. Frequency pulse current with different frequencies has different functions. Appropriate waveform should be selected according to different situations in clinical use. Common wave types are dense wave, sparse wave, sparse wave, intermittent wave and sawtooth wave (see Figure 6-3).

Dense wave: the frequency is fast, 50 ~ 100 times per second, belonging to continuous wave. It can reduce the stress function of nerves, and is often used for relieving pain, analgesia, sedation, relieving muscle and vascular spasm, and also for acupuncture anesthesia.

Wave thinning: the frequency is slow, 2 ~ 5 times per second, belonging to continuous wave. Strong stimulation can cause muscle contraction and improve the tension of muscle ligament, and is often used to treat flaccidity syndrome and various joint, muscle and ligament injuries.

Sparse wave: Sparse wave and dense wave appear alternately automatically, and the duration of sparsity alternation is about 1.5s respectively. Wave is not easy to adapt, and can promote metabolism and blood circulation, improve tissue nutrition and eliminate inflammation and edema. Commonly used for trauma, arthritis, pain, facial paralysis, muscle weakness and so on.

Intermittent wave: a sparse wave that appears automatically when there is rhythm, and there is no pulse electrical output within 1.5s when it is interrupted; Continuous dense wave works continuously 1.56s s, which is not easy to adapt, can improve the excitability of muscle tissue and has a good stimulating effect on striated muscle. It is often used to treat flaccidity and paralysis.

Sawtooth wave: the wave whose pulse amplitude changes automatically according to the sawtooth pattern, 16 ~ 20 beats/min or 20 ~ 25 beats/min. Its frequency is close to the human respiratory rhythm, and it can be used to stimulate the phrenic nerve for artificial electric respiration and cooperate with the rescue of respiratory failure.

Figure 6-3 Waveforms of Continuous Wave, Dense Wave and Intermittent Wave

Third, the scope of adaptation

The adaptation range of electroacupuncture is basically the same as that of filiform needle. Widely used in internal and external diseases, gynecology, pediatrics, facial features, bone injuries and other diseases. It is especially suitable for various pain syndromes, osteoarthrosis, limb paralysis, visceral diseases, facial diseases, neurosis, prevention and health care, etc. Can be used for acupuncture anesthesia.

Fourth, matters needing attention

1. Before using the electro-acupuncture instrument, check whether its performance is good and its output is normal.

2. The regulating current should be gradually increased from small to large to avoid accidents.

3. When electroacupuncture is used at chest and back points, two electrodes should not be bridged at both sides of the body to avoid the current loop passing through the heart.

4. When electroacupuncture is used near the medulla oblongata, spinal cord and other parts, the current should be small and it is not suitable for excessive stimulation. Pregnant women should use electroacupuncture with caution.

5. When a pair of adjacent acupoints are electrified, the distance should not be too close, and the current intensity should be slightly smaller to avoid excessive stimulation.

6. The surface of the needle handle used as a warm needle is oxidized but not conductive, and the output should be clamped on the needle body when it is used.