Sum Wu
Registered Chinese Medicine Practitioner
Bachelor of Health Science in Traditional Chinese Medicine (UTS)
Bachelor of Science Majoring in Psychology (UOW)
Director of Hurstville Chinese Herbs Centre
Vice Dean of College of Traditional Chinese Medicine Orthopedics Australia
Specialising in pain management and mental wellbeing through Tradition Chinese medicine in combination with modern science in mental health, dieting and nutrition.
吳宇琛，澳大利亞政府注册中醫師、針灸師，五龍崗大學心理學學士、悉尼科技大學中醫系學士，澳大利亞松軒中醫藥中心主任醫師，澳大利亞中醫骨傷專科學院副院長。
擅長用傳統針灸理傷手法和中藥治療各種新舊損傷痛症，特別採用中醫中藥和現代心理學、營養學相結合調理治療各種慢性病和亞健康。
The use of electrical stimulation in healthcare has expanded greatly in recent decades, offering non-invasive or minimally invasive options for pain management, rehabilitation, and neurological recovery. Two approaches often compared are electro-acupuncture and electrotherapy. While both involve applying controlled electrical currents, their origins, methods, and underlying theories differ significantly. Understanding these differences can help patients and practitioners make informed choices about treatment.
近年來，電刺激在醫療中的應用得到了極大發展，為疼痛管理、康復和神經功能恢復提供了非侵入性或微創的治療選擇。在眾多方法中，電針與電療經常被拿來比較。二者都涉及使用可控的電流作用於人體，但其起源、操作方法和理論基礎卻有顯著差异。理解這些不同之處有助於患者和臨床醫生在治療時作出明智的選擇。
What Is Electro-Acupuncture?什麼是電針？
Electro-acupuncture is a modern extension of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Like traditional acupuncture, it involves the insertion of fine needles into precise acupoints along meridians, which are thought to regulate the flow of Qi. Electrodes are then attached to the needles to deliver gentle electrical impulses. The stimulation is usually felt as rhythmic tapping, pulsing, or tingling, with intensity adjusted for comfort. Frequencies typically range from 2 to 100 hertz. Lower frequencies, such as around 2 hertz, stimulate the release of endorphins and enkephalins, which act as the body’s natural painkillers. Higher frequencies, closer to 100 hertz, enhance endorphin release and further contribute to pain modulation.
電針是對傳統中醫針灸的一種現代化改良。與傳統針灸一樣，它需要將細針刺入沿經絡分佈的特定穴位，這些穴位被認為與調節氣的運行密切相關。在此基礎上，針體會連接電極，通過針體向穴位傳遞微弱的電刺激。患者在治療過程中通常會感到有節奏的敲擊感、脈動感或輕微的麻刺感，强度會根據患者的耐受情况進行調整。治療所用的電流頻率一般在2至100赫茲之間。低頻刺激（約2赫茲）能够促進腦內啡和腦啡肽的釋放，這些物質是人體天然的鎮痛劑；而高頻刺激（接近100赫茲）則能進一步促進內啡肽的分泌，從而增强鎮痛效果。
Scientific Evidence科學證據
Modern neuroscience has provided new insights into why electro-acupuncture works. Studies in both animals and humans demonstrate that it modulates neurotransmitter activity, increasing the release of serotonin, dopamine, and endogenous opioids. These changes can improve mood, reduce pain, and even support recovery after neurological injury. Brain imaging research using fMRI shows that electro-acupuncture alters activity in the amygdala, prefrontal cortex, and hippocampus regions linked with emotion, decision-making, and memory. In rehabilitation, especially after stroke, electro-acupuncture appears to enhance neuroplasticity, the brain’s ability to reorganize and form new connections, which is essential for regaining motor skills. It also affects the autonomic nervous system, increasing parasympathetic activity, lowering cortisol levels, and improving sleep quality.
現代神經科學為解釋電針的作用提供了新的視角。動物和人體研究表明，電針能够調節神經遞質的活動，新增血清素、多巴胺以及內源性阿片肽的釋放，從而改善情緒、減輕疼痛，甚至促進神經損傷後的恢復。功能性磁共振成像（fMRI）研究發現，電針可改變杏仁核、前額葉皮質和海馬等腦區的活動，這些區域與情緒、決策和記憶密切相關。在康復領域，尤其是中風後康復過程中，電針似乎能够增强神經可塑性，即大腦重新組織並建立新連接的能力，這對運動功能的恢復至關重要。此外，電針還能影響自主神經系統的活動，增加副交感神經活性，降低皮質醇水准，並改善睡眠質量。
Clinical Applications臨床應用
Clinically, electro-acupuncture is used in a wide variety of conditions. It is frequently applied to manage chronic musculoskeletal pain such as osteoarthritis or lower back pain. In neurology, it has shown promise in stroke rehabilitation, neuropathies, and Parkinson’s disease. It is also being studied for psychological disorders including anxiety, depression, and insomnia, and has applications in fertility and gynaecological health.
在臨床上，電針應用廣泛。它常用於治療慢性肌肉骨骼疼痛，如骨關節炎和腰痛。在神經系統疾病中，電針在中風康復、周圍神經病變以及帕金森病的治療中顯示出積極效果。它還被用於研究焦慮、抑鬱和失眠等心理障礙，並在生育及婦科健康方面具有一定應用價值。
What Is Electrotherapy? 什麼是電療？
Electrotherapy, by contrast, belongs firmly to the tradition of Western biomedical science and is a mainstay in physiotherapy and sports medicine. Instead of needles, it delivers currents through electrodes placed on the skin’s surface. Several distinct forms of electrotherapy are commonly used.
與電針不同，電療完全屬於西方生物醫學的範疇，是物理治療與運動醫學中的常用方法。它不使用針，而是通過置於皮膚表面的電極傳遞電流。電療包含多種不同形式，每種方法針對的目標和作用機制不同。
Types of Electrotherapy電療的類型
Scientific Evidence科學證據
Complementary and Integrative Use互補與整合應用
Although electro-acupuncture and electrotherapy were developed independently, there is growing interest in combining the two approaches. For instance, a patient with chronic back pain may use electro-acupuncture for systemic pain regulation while also receiving electrotherapy such as TENS or EMS for localized pain relief and strengthening. In stroke rehabilitation, electro-acupuncture may enhance brain reorganization, while FES provides practical training of specific movements such as grasping or walking. Rather than competing, the two methods can complement each other when integrated into a personalized treatment plan.
儘管電針與電療的發展路徑完全不同，但現時越來越多的臨床實踐者關注如何將兩者結合應用。例如，對於慢性腰痛患者，電針可用於全身性的鎮痛調節，而TENS或EMS則可提供局部的止痛和肌肉强化。在中風康復中，電針能够增强神經網路的重組，而FES則幫助患者完成抓握或行走等具體的功能性訓練。兩者並非競爭關係，而是可以在個體化治療方案中相互補充、發揮協同效應。
Electro-acupuncture and electrotherapy both harness electricity to influence the nervous system, but their philosophies and methods are distinct. Electro-acupuncture builds upon the holistic framework of TCM, with evidence showing effects on neurotransmitters, brain networks, and autonomic balance. Electrotherapy, grounded in modern physiology, directly targets nerves and muscles to relieve pain, restore function, and aid recovery.
電針與電療都通過電流作用於神經系統，但在理論基礎與操作方法上存在顯著不同。 電針植根於中醫整體觀念，並已通過現代研究證實其在調節神經遞質、影響腦功能網絡和自主神經平衡方面的作用；電療則以現代生理學為基礎，直接作用於神經與肌肉，幫助緩解疼痛、恢復功能並促進康復。
For patients, the choice may depend on treatment goals, cultural preferences, and clinical recommendations. Increasingly, healthcare practitioners see value in combining both approaches to offer comprehensive care in pain management and neurological rehabilitation.
對於患者而言，選擇哪種方法取決於具體的治療目標、文化偏好以及臨床建議。隨著醫療領域對綜合治療的重視不斷增加，越來越多的醫生和治療師傾向於將電針與電療結合使用，為疼痛管理與神經康復提供更加全面的治療方案。
如有疑問想咨詢吳宇琛中醫師，可以在微信或whatsapp搜索61 404836368，加吳宇琛中醫師微信或whatsapp，也可以發短信或致電0404836368作語音留言，吳宇琛中醫師有空就會回復。
（吳宇琛中醫師，澳大利亞政府注册中醫師、針灸師，五龍崗大學心理學學士、悉尼科技大學中醫系學士，悉尼好思維松軒藥行主任中醫師，澳大利亞中醫骨傷專科學院副院長，本文僅供參考，具體診療應諮詢專業人士。）
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