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Electroacupuncture is a technique that, comparatively speaking, has only recently come into use. Some scholars believe electroacupuncture was first used by physicians in Europe as far back as the early 1800s; others attribute its discovery to Japanese scientists in the 1940s who were interested in making bone fractures heal more quickly; still others claim that electroacupuncture wasn't really developed until 1958, when acupuncturists in China began experimenting with it as a form of pain relief. Whatever the case, electroacupuncture is an increasingly popular form of treatment, and is used by practitioners of traditional Chinese medicine for a wide array of conditions.

Electroacupuncture is quite similar to traditional acupuncture in that the same points are stimulated during treatment. As with traditional acupuncture, needles are inserted on specific points along the body. The needles are then attached to a device that generates continuous electric pulses using small clips. These devices are used to adjust the frequency and intensity of the impulse being delivered, depending on the condition being treated. Electroacupuncture uses two needles at time so that the impulses can pass from one needle to the other. Several pairs of needles can be stimulated simultaneously, usually for no more than 30 minutes at a time.

In the U.S., electroacupuncture has been studied for a variety of conditions. It has been effectively used as a form of anesthesia; as a pain reliever for muscle spasms; and a treatment for neurological disorders. Other studies have examined the role of electroacupuncture in treating skin conditions such as acne, renal colic, and acute nausea caused by cancer medications. There is also some evidence that electrical stimulation of acupuncture points activates the endorphin system, which could lower blood pressure and reduce heart disease.

Patients may experience a tingling sensation while being treated with electroacupuncture, which is most likely due to the electric current. In most cases, however, the effect produced by the current is subsational; in other words, the tingling sensation will not be felt. Some minor bruising or bleeding may occur, which is the result of a needle hitting small blood vessels.

Electroacupuncture does carry some small risks for certain people. It should not be used on patients who have a history of seizures, epilepsy, heart disease or strokes, or on patients with pacemakers. It should also not be performed on a patient's head or throat, or directly over the heart. Before trying electroacupuncture, patients should make sure to discuss the potential risks and benefits with their practitioner.

References

Irnich D, Winklmeier S, Beyer A, Peter K. Electric stimulation acupuncture in peripheral neuropathic pain syndromes. Clinical pilot study on analgesic effectiveness. Schmerz Apr 2002;16(2):114-20.
Rusy LM, Hoffman GM, Weisman SJ. Electroacupuncture prophylaxis of postoperative nausea and vomiting following pediatric tonsillectomy with or without adenoidectomy. Anesthesiology Feb 2002;96(2):300-5.
Sangdee C, Teekachunhatean S, Sananpanich K, et al. Electroacupuncture versus Diclofenac in symptomatic treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee: a randomized controlled trial. BMC Complement Altern Med Mar 21, 2002 21;2(1):3.

Fennel is a bulbous plant native to southern Europe and western Asia. It is a member of the celery family and is well-known for its distinctive flavor. Although the entire plant is edible, only fennel seeds and essential oils are used for their medicinal properties.

Recent studies have found that fennel seeds contain diuretic, pain reducing, fever-reducing and antimicrobial properties. Some practitioners believe the seeds can be used to aid indigestion and increase the production of milk in nursing women. Fennel seeds contain an essential oil, which is composed of anethole, fenchone, estragole, and other vital enzymes and compounds. Research on the essential oil is less clear. Some studies have linked the oil to possible liver damage, while other studies have found that a compound made from anethole protects against liver toxicity.

The German Commission E Monographs recommend between 5-7 grams of fennel seeds daily. The plant can also be ingested as a tincture (2-4 milliliters, three times daily). Whole fennel seeds and tinctures are available at health food stores and many supermarkets.

While no significant adverse reactions have been reported, in rare cases, fennel seeds can cause allergic reactions on the skin and respiratory problems. Excess amounts of fennel oil may cause nausea, vomiting and seizures. In addition, anyone suffering from an estrogen-dependent form of cancer should avoid any large quantities of fennel and consult their provider. As always, talk with a qualified, licensed health care practitioner before taking fennel or any other herbal remedy or dietary supplement.

References

Albert-Puleo M. Fennel and anise as estrogenic agents. J Ethnopharm 1980;2(4):337-44.
Blumenthal M, Busse WR, Goldberg A, et al. (eds). The Complete Commission E Monographs: Therapeutic Guide to Herbal Medicines. Boston, MA: Integrative Medicine Communications, 1998, pp. 128-9.
Duke JA. CRC Handbook of Medicinal Herbs. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press, 1985, pp. 145-6.

Acupuncture Q & A: This Month's Highlights from the "Ask an Acupuncturist" Forum

The "Ask an Acupuncturist" forum provides a place for interested parties to ask questions about acupuncture and Oriental medicine and have them answered by a licensed acupuncturist. This month's questions:

Question #1: My mother had back surgery for spinal stenosis two years ago. The surgeon says the procedure was a success. She is still in terrible pain. She has tried epidurals, but they don't seem to work and she is very arthritic. She also complains of pain in her knees and upper legs. Would acupuncture benefit her? I tell her to try it, but she is an RN and is skeptical.

Answer: She would need to try treatment for a while to find out if it will help her. It will not make her worse. (It will take) probably 10-20 treatments and six or eight months to see if her situation will respond.

Question #2: My sister is studying holistic medicine and acupuncture and has offered me acupuncture to relieve the pain in both of my hands from carpal tunnel syndrome. I've had it for nearly five years now and cannot bear the thought of spending thousands of dollars on surgery for only a 30% chance it will make me feel less pain. Can you tell me what acupuncture can do to help me?

Answer: The chances of acupuncture helping with your carpal tunnel syndrome is quite good. The question here is the qualification of the practitioner. Does your sister have enough experience and background education to do this? Acupuncture isn't something that you can fumble through on your own. That's why we have acupuncture colleges and health science universities -- to give a well-rounded education in these holistic approaches.

Have a question about acupuncture and Oriental medicine? Visit AcupunctureToday.com's "Ask an Acupuncturist" forum at www.acupuncturetoday.com/ask.

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December 2002 [Volume 1, Issue 11] To Your Health is brought to you by:

This issue features a number of articles you will want to share with your family, friends and co-workers. Please feel free to forward this newsletter to them via e-mail. If you have received this e-mail newsletter from someone else, you may subscribe free of charge and begin receiving your own copy by going to: www.acupuncturetoday.com/newsletter/TYH/subscribe.php In this issue of To Your Health: The ABCs of Electroacupuncture Herb of the Month: Fennel Acupuncture Q & A: This Month's Highlights from the "Ask an Acupuncturist" Forum The ABCs of Electroacupuncture Electroacupuncture is a technique that, comparatively speaking, has only recently come into use. Some scholars believe electroacupuncture was first used by physicians in Europe as far back as the early 1800s; others attribute its discovery to Japanese scientists in the 1940s who were interested in making bone fractures heal more quickly; still others claim that electroacupuncture wasn't really developed until 1958, when acupuncturists in China began experimenting with it as a form of pain relief. Whatever the case, electroacupuncture is an increasingly popular form of treatment, and is used by practitioners of traditional Chinese medicine for a wide array of conditions. Electroacupuncture is quite similar to traditional acupuncture in that the same points are stimulated during treatment. As with traditional acupuncture, needles are inserted on specific points along the body. The needles are then attached to a device that generates continuous electric pulses using small clips. These devices are used to adjust the frequency and intensity of the impulse being delivered, depending on the condition being treated. Electroacupuncture uses two needles at time so that the impulses can pass from one needle to the other. Several pairs of needles can be stimulated simultaneously, usually for no more than 30 minutes at a time. In the U.S., electroacupuncture has been studied for a variety of conditions. It has been effectively used as a form of anesthesia; as a pain reliever for muscle spasms; and a treatment for neurological disorders. Other studies have examined the role of electroacupuncture in treating skin conditions such as acne, renal colic, and acute nausea caused by cancer medications. There is also some evidence that electrical stimulation of acupuncture points activates the endorphin system, which could lower blood pressure and reduce heart disease. Patients may experience a tingling sensation while being treated with electroacupuncture, which is most likely due to the electric current. In most cases, however, the effect produced by the current is subsational; in other words, the tingling sensation will not be felt. Some minor bruising or bleeding may occur, which is the result of a needle hitting small blood vessels. Electroacupuncture does carry some small risks for certain people. It should not be used on patients who have a history of seizures, epilepsy, heart disease or strokes, or on patients with pacemakers. It should also not be performed on a patient's head or throat, or directly over the heart. Before trying electroacupuncture, patients should make sure to discuss the potential risks and benefits with their practitioner. References Irnich D, Winklmeier S, Beyer A, Peter K. Electric stimulation acupuncture in peripheral neuropathic pain syndromes. Clinical pilot study on analgesic effectiveness. Schmerz Apr 2002;16(2):114-20. Rusy LM, Hoffman GM, Weisman SJ. Electroacupuncture prophylaxis of postoperative nausea and vomiting following pediatric tonsillectomy with or without adenoidectomy. Anesthesiology Feb 2002;96(2):300-5. Sangdee C, Teekachunhatean S, Sananpanich K, et al. Electroacupuncture versus Diclofenac in symptomatic treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee: a randomized controlled trial. BMC Complement Altern Med Mar 21, 2002 21;2(1):3. Herb of the Month: Fennel Fennel is a bulbous plant native to southern Europe and western Asia. It is a member of the celery family and is well-known for its distinctive flavor. Although the entire plant is edible, only fennel seeds and essential oils are used for their medicinal properties. Recent studies have found that fennel seeds contain diuretic, pain reducing, fever-reducing and antimicrobial properties. Some practitioners believe the seeds can be used to aid indigestion and increase the production of milk in nursing women. Fennel seeds contain an essential oil, which is composed of anethole, fenchone, estragole, and other vital enzymes and compounds. Research on the essential oil is less clear. Some studies have linked the oil to possible liver damage, while other studies have found that a compound made from anethole protects against liver toxicity. The German Commission E Monographs recommend between 5-7 grams of fennel seeds daily. The plant can also be ingested as a tincture (2-4 milliliters, three times daily). Whole fennel seeds and tinctures are available at health food stores and many supermarkets. While no significant adverse reactions have been reported, in rare cases, fennel seeds can cause allergic reactions on the skin and respiratory problems. Excess amounts of fennel oil may cause nausea, vomiting and seizures. In addition, anyone suffering from an estrogen-dependent form of cancer should avoid any large quantities of fennel and consult their provider. As always, talk with a qualified, licensed health care practitioner before taking fennel or any other herbal remedy or dietary supplement. To learn more about the benefits of herbal medicine, visit www.acupuncturetoday.com/herbcentral. References Albert-Puleo M. Fennel and anise as estrogenic agents. J Ethnopharm 1980;2(4):337-44. Blumenthal M, Busse WR, Goldberg A, et al. (eds). The Complete Commission E Monographs: Therapeutic Guide to Herbal Medicines. Boston, MA: Integrative Medicine Communications, 1998, pp. 128-9. Duke JA. CRC Handbook of Medicinal Herbs. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press, 1985, pp. 145-6. Acupuncture Q & A: This Month's Highlights from the "Ask an Acupuncturist" Forum The "Ask an Acupuncturist" forum provides a place for interested parties to ask questions about acupuncture and Oriental medicine and have them answered by a licensed acupuncturist. This month's questions: Question #1: My mother had back surgery for spinal stenosis two years ago. The surgeon says the procedure was a success. She is still in terrible pain. She has tried epidurals, but they don't seem to work and she is very arthritic. She also complains of pain in her knees and upper legs. Would acupuncture benefit her? I tell her to try it, but she is an RN and is skeptical. Answer: She would need to try treatment for a while to find out if it will help her. It will not make her worse. (It will take) probably 10-20 treatments and six or eight months to see if her situation will respond. Question #2: My sister is studying holistic medicine and acupuncture and has offered me acupuncture to relieve the pain in both of my hands from carpal tunnel syndrome. I've had it for nearly five years now and cannot bear the thought of spending thousands of dollars on surgery for only a 30% chance it will make me feel less pain. Can you tell me what acupuncture can do to help me? Answer: The chances of acupuncture helping with your carpal tunnel syndrome is quite good. The question here is the qualification of the practitioner. Does your sister have enough experience and background education to do this? Acupuncture isn't something that you can fumble through on your own. That's why we have acupuncture colleges and health science universities -- to give a well-rounded education in these holistic approaches. Have a question about acupuncture and Oriental medicine? Visit AcupunctureToday.com's "Ask an Acupuncturist" forum at www.acupuncturetoday.com/ask. Unsubscribe Thank you for subscribing to To Your Health. If you have received this newsletter in error or wish to unsubscribe, you may remove your name from our e-mail subscription list at www.acupuncturetoday.com/newsletter/TYH/unsubscribe.php. Update your e-mail address To update the e-mail address your newsletter is sent to, click here. If you have any questions regarding your subscription, please complete this form at www.acupuncturetoday.com/newsletterhelp/TYH.