Where can I learn about clinical applications of electro-acupuncture? Show
What is the difference between milliampere and microampere? How does the current work in the body? Which should I use, milliampere current or microampere current? What are the contraindications for electro-acupuncture? What are the different uses for each frequency? When do I use the Continuous, Discontinuous or Mixed modes? Do I use Pantheon MicroClips with the milliampere or microampere outlets? Can I have just one needle connected to the electro-stimulator? Sometimes my patients say they can't feel the needle. Why is that? What should I do if my patient can't feel either needle during electro-stimulation? Can TENS pads be used with the 4-c, 6-c, or 8-c models? Does the positioning of the red and black leads on the body make a difference? Does the positioning of the red and black leads then, in a biophysics sense, make a difference? How do I use the facial probe? Which is the positive and which is the negative wire on the facial probes? What are the most common problems that can happen? What is the difference between milliampere and microampere? What is the difference between milliampere and microampere? Microampere or "micro", refers to electrical current supplied at the microampere level, or 1/1,000,000 of an ampere. So one microampere is .000001 ampere, a very small amount of electricity, only 1/1000 the amount of normal milliampere stimulation. How does the current work in the body? It is interesting that although the milliampere electro-stimulator can give much more current than this, only .2 milliamps (and no more) will flow in the tissue at the pain threshold level of 20 volts. A resistance of the tissue of 100,000 ohms is not exceptionally high. Tissue resistance varies between about 20,000 and 1 or 2 million ohms, depending on tissue type and distance between needles. To reach the true milliampere level of stimulation would require a high voltage level of about 20 volts at 20,000 ohms of resistance, a fairly high voltage with a very low resistance. This shows that most stimulation is probably below the milliampere range, even with the milliampere stimulation being applied. Which should I use, milliampere current or microampere current? We don’t know whether the same effects can be achieved with the low voltage use of milliampere current as with microcurrent stimulation. This would be a great research topic. Acupuncturists report, on an anecdotal basis that microcurrent is very useful for many conditions, and prefer it for specific applications, such as pain, both acute and chronic. Many prefer to use it to tonify points, using a TCM treatment approach. The research literature does report that microcurrent is capable of causing cells to synthesize ATP at a rate 1000 times more rapidly than milliampere current. This research was done with TENS pads but is probably applicable to needle stimulation as well. Since anecdotal reporting on the advantages and efficacy of microcurrent are so common, it is probably useful to use microcurrent where beneficial until research provides more specific recommendations. What are the contraindications for electro-acupuncture?
What are the different uses for each frequency? When do I use the Continuous, Discontinuous or Mixed modes? Do I use Pantheon MicroClips with the milliampere or microampere outlets? Can I have just one needle connected to the electro-stimulator? Sometimes my patients say they can't feel the needle. Why is that? What should I do if my patient can't feel either needle during electro-stimulation? Can TENS pads be used with the 4-c, 6-c, or 8-c models? Does the positioning of the red and black leads on the body make a difference? One acupuncturist said that he "places the black lead on the lower part of the body because the earth is ground, and the black lead is similar to ground, and the foot is on the ground." A more scientific view of this still needs study. Is more electrical current carried from the red lead to the black lead, or from black to red? Each brand of electro-acupuncture stimulator has a different waveform, and the optimal waveform is not yet known. It has been observed that during the positive half of the waveform, the current flows from the black to the red lead, and during the negative half of the waveform, the current flows from the red to the black lead. If the waveform is truly symmetrical biphasic with positive and negative portions of the waveform equal in size, there should be no net DC (direct current) flow in either direction. In other words, the current is equal in either direction, as it should be. (See discussions on waveform and electrolysis). Does the positioning of the red and
black leads then, in a biophysics sense, make a difference? The machine creates an AC (alternating current) waveform from the DC (direct current) battery and this is applied to the body. This AC waveform has an amplitude between positive and negative 60 volts. The battery will last longer at lower frequencies as in the following chart. How do I use the facial probe? Which is the positive and which is the negative wire on the facial probes? What are the most common problems that can happen? The most common problem we encounter is a low battery. Make sure the battery is good. You can change the battery or use the battery check function on the mode switch. Turn the mode switch to BATT, if the red light is on and bright, the battery should be good. The second most common problem is with the alligator clip leads. When these are bad or broken (in other words, not conducting electricity) the machine won’t seem to work. We provide a clip lead tester on all equipment for you to diagnose and check your clip leads. Turn the mode switch to BATT (the red light should be on). Insert the lead wire into the Clip Lead Tester. The light should go off. Connect the two alligator clips to each other. The light should go back on. To further test the integrity of the leads, manipulate the leads while the clips are still connected to each other. The light should stay on. Otherwise there may be a short in the lead wires and they should be replaced. We provide technical assistance during business hours to answer your questions about machine problems or performance. We can also repair any malfunctions. How long is the equipment covered under warranty? Can I use the microcurrent on the 6c.Pro, 8c.Pro, and 12c.Pro with facial probes and TENS pads? No, this is not effective. There are two types of microcurrent waveforms. One is designed for maximum effectiveness and safety during acupuncture needle stimulation. This waveform is found in the 6c.Pro, 8c.Pro, and 12c.Pro. In order to make it safe for needle stimulation, the waveform is a positive/negative 10 volt square wave that has a pulse duration of only milliseconds. This feature allows safe needle stimulation without the problems of electrolysis. However, this feature also prevents effective applications when using facial probes as is often used for cosmetic purposes. The second microcurrent waveform is used in classical physical therapy style microcurrent machines. Such machines include the Accutron Mentor, Monad Mensomatic, and the Pantheon Clinical Microcurrent Machine. Traditionally this waveform has been effectively used for over 20 years in professional applications which include: cosmetic facial treatment and physical therapy applications such as acute and chronic pain. Technically, this waveform consists of a positive/negative 70 volt square wave. The square wave is not a fast .4 millisecond duration pulse, but what is known as a 50% duty cycle square wave. What this means is that the electrical impulse is positive for 1/2 the electrical cycle and negative for the other half. In practical terms, much more microcurrent electrical energy is in the second microcurrent waveform than is in the first. It is thus able to be used on the epidermis with Q-Tips style probes or TENS pads. Use of this waveform on acupuncture needles is not advised because of safety issues (electrolysis effect). The first microcurrent waveform is safe and effective with needle stimulation, but not effective nor recommended for facial probes and TENS pads. Essentially, this waveform is not strong enough to stimulate tissues through the epidermis (skin). Which of the following is the only constant direct current of low voltage and high amperage?The only constant direct current of low voltage and high amperage that produces an electrochemical effect. It uses the process of ionization to force water-soluble skin care products deeper into the skin.
What facial treatment is known as Tesla?French biophysicist Jacques-Arsène d'Arsonval also did early work in the area of electrotherapy. In 1892 he introduced the use of high frequency currents to treat diseases of the skin and mucous membranes. High frequency is traditionally referred to as “D'Arsonval high frequency” or the “Tesla current”.
Which high frequency application treatment does the client hold the electrode?During an Indirect High Frequency treatment, the client holds the saturator electrode to channel the current.
Which type of microdermabrasion device utilizes an electronic vacuum to spray particles across the skin?Crystal Microdermabrasion utilizes a special device that causes the flow of aluminum oxide crystals onto the skin. As the surface-level dead skin cells are abraded off the skin, the system uses a vacuum to suck up these cells and dirt.
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