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Percutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation

(A Western Medical Acupuncture Approach)

                Anyone who talks about acupuncture with me soon realizes that I have found it an invaluable addition to my practice.  Only later do they find out that I practice many different types of acupuncture.  One of my favorite flavors of acupuncture is Percutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (PENS).

                PENS means that it uses electricity at a level beneath the skin to effect the nerves.  Recently, the ASM (Acupuncture Society of Michigan) brought, Stephen Taylor, D.O., one of the pioneers in the PENS field to Michigan.  I had the pleasure of attending that conference and I thought I’d share some of what was discussed.

                This past March, the Journal of the American Medical Association published an article on the use of PENS in low back pain.  It was found that the use of analgesics decreased to half that of the non-PENS group.  It was evaluated in comparison to TENS units, flexion-extension exercises, and sham PENS.  91% of the patients reported that PENS was the most effective treatment in decreasing their back pain.  It also improved physical activity, quality of sleep, and sense of well-being. 

                Last year in Anesthesia Analgesics PENS was studied on 50 adult patients with acute Herpes Zoster.  The results suggested that PENS may be a viable alternative to antiviral drugs.  Again, PENS provided pain relief, increased physical activity, and an improved quality of sleep.  Furthermore, it was more effective than antivirals in preventing post-herpetic pain symptoms 3 and 6 months after resolution of the skin sores.

                The way that I have used PENS and the way that the authors have used it is quite different.  The PENS treatment has been their only method of treatment, but I have included it along with the whole of my medical, acupuncture, manipulation and nutrition arsenal.  With the refinements in technique that I have learned I may offer it the same way they use it, but this is pending how much clinical success I see in my patients.  Only time will tell, but preliminary results look good.