Hand held electroacupuncture devices—Potential for teaching in functional muscular neuroanatomy and musculo-skeletal diagnosis

Hand-held electroacupuncture devices have been traditionally used as a tool to locate “acupoints” trough detection of differences in skin conductivity. While teaching at the Post-Graduation Courses on Medical Acupuncture in Portugal, both at the Universidade Nova de Lisboa and at the Universidade do Minho, the hand-held acupuncture device has become a fundamental tool for location of acupoints and teaching functional muscular neuroanatomy. Unlike traditional use, the device is used after needle insertion. After correct identification of the insertion site and needling, the needles are stimulated with the hand held device, enabling the students to check if the needle is correctly inserted and also visualize the action of the needled muscle. The hand held device is also a good tool for musculo-skeletal diagnosis and treatment.