Chinese medical theory forms the basis of acupuncture and many other modalities such as shiatsu, acupressure, and reflexology.   It maintains that pain conditions primarily arise from stagnant blood and qi, the force that moves blood.  All of the body is nourished and warmed by qi and blood, even the Achilles tendon.

An acupuncturist may take varying approaches to a problem.  Electrical stimulation (e-stim) is a popular procedure where jumper cable-like electrodes are attached at the site of pain.  From my experience, e-stim numbs pain and increases blood flow.  There have been positive research results for e-stim and pain relief.  Many people respond favorably to e-stimulation because it is a very “tangible” approach to pain management.  The electrical impulse not only has a therapeutic “feel,” but the patient also knows “it’s working” because they can see the needles moving.  E-stim is a common approach used among acupuncturists who have retained the direct treatment approaches promulgated under the People’s Republic of China.  This approach is heavily influenced by rational materialism, which is easy to test scientifically and for licensing purposes.

Some aspects of Chinese medicine do not fit neatly within rational materialism.  Many approaches are based in traditional systems over 3000 years old, with a profound understanding of mathematics and polarity.  Many of these approaches produce very quick and lasting results even though their diagnostic and treatment methods do not make sense within biomedical models, particularly biochemistry.  It has been my experience that when treating difficult conditions like Achilles tendonosis, treatments at the affected site often exacerbate the condition.  Therefore, unconventional approaches have much more than historic value.  They provide clinically necessary alternatives when difficult cases do not respond to customary approaches.

People who have had e-stim acupuncture and consider that they’ve exhausted their acupuncture possibilities should be pleased to learn that not all acupuncture is the same.   Honoring the commitment to natural and low-risk health interventions will take some time, experimentation, and stick-to-itiveness.  When communicating with a prospective healthcare provider (uh, not the insurance), you have the right to explain how you’ve previously been treated and ask how the provider’s care will differ.  You may not understand the difference between this and that style, but you should get enough information to gauge whether you’ll be getting the same approach or not.  In touch cases, one’s approach will matter as much as the acupuncture itself.