Acupuncture Therapy Without Needles

A fundamental tenet of Chinese medicine, traditional acupuncture entails the insertion of hair-thin needles along the body’s energy channels to stimulate energy flow and affect the body’s healing response. Acupuncture without needles is a term used to describe healing modalities that stimulate the same energy points without penetrating the skin. Because the application of heat or electrical stimulation is part of the acupuncture protocol, complementary and alternative therapies have adopted other ways of stimulating the acupuncture points without needles.

Drawbacks to Needle Acupuncture

While acupuncture needles are hair-thin and cause little discomfort when inserted by a licensed professional, a fear of needles dissuades some patients from considering acupuncture treatment. People with blood disorders, or those who take blood-thinning medications, may not be candidates for traditional acupuncture, according to the American Cancer Society. Traditional acupuncture methods pose a risk for infection or transmission of disease through the improper use of needles, though it is rare.

Alternatives to Needle Acupuncture

Although traditional acupuncture therapy is widely practiced throughout the United States, there are alternatives to needles that may be equally effective. Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, or TENS, Japanese anma therapy and Korean hand therapy stimulate points along the body that correspond with particular systems and organs. Meridian-tapping therapies, such as emotional freedom techniques, follow a specific protocol that stimulates the body’s meridian system while the client focuses on a physical or emotional problem. Laser acupuncture utilizes a laser that emits an electromagnetic wave to stimulate points on the skin.

Effectiveness

According to studies conducted by physiotherapist Anna Enblom at Linkoping University and the Vardal Institute in Sweden, patients who received a simulated acupuncture treatment responded as well as those who had needles inserted. Although scientific studies are ongoing, as of September 2011, evidence continues to suggest that the stimulation of the body’s energy system may be an effective treatment for physical and emotional distress.

Recommendations

While many Western medical practitioners consider acupuncture treatments as a safe complementary therapy, sufficient empirical evidence to support the effectiveness of the treatment is lacking. If you choose to seek acupuncture treatment of any kind, select a licensed professional who meets the standards for practice in the United States. Always inform your primary care physician when you undergo any type of complementary or alternative medical treatment.