Acupuncture is a form of alternative medicine and nowadays is used as an additional therapy in many outpatient clinics which specialize in the management of chronic pain. Acupuncture involves the insertion of very thin needles through the skin at strategic points of the body.
The contemporary form of Western acupuncture is electro acupuncture which is considered to be more potentially effective. In Western countries practitioners view acupuncture points as places to stimulate nerves, muscles and connective tissue. This can be done through both traditional acupuncture and electro acupuncture. Studies have shown that when electro acupuncture is used at specific acupuncture points this multiplies the effects of the acupuncture. Electro acupuncture is done using special devices, and the acupuncture points are connected in couples and then these points are stimulated through a slight electrical impulse of specific frequency and intensity. Through acupuncture and electro acupuncture the central nervous system is triggered, something which in turn releases several substances such as serotonin, norepinephrine, endorphins etc.
These biochemical changes stimulate the body's natural healing abilities and promote physical and emotional well-being. Acupuncture is used mostly in treating acute or chronic pain conditions such as: headaches, migraines, cervical or lumbar pain (low back pain), neuralgias, myofascial pain, menstrual pain, osteoarthritis. There is no doubt, however, that beyond its physical benefits, acupuncture is also beneficial to a whole array of conditions, including anxiety and insomnia issues.