Electroacupuncture is very effective for the treatment of pain. Electroacupuncture is quite similar to traditional acupuncture in that the same points are stimulated during treatment. As with traditional acupuncture, needles are inserted on specific points along the body. The needles are then attached to a device that generates continuous electric pulses using small clips.

In the U.S., electroacupuncture has been studied for a variety of conditions. It has been effectively used as a form of anesthesia; as a pain reliever for muscle spasms. It has been found to be very effective for the treatment of sciatica, lower back pain, neck pain, and shoulder pain.