Electroacupuncture and Manual Acupuncture Increase Joint Flexibility but Reduce Muscle Strength

Acupuncture is widely known for its potential for pain relief, but its effects on muscle function and joint mobility have attracted growing scientific interest. For people who engage in physical activity or face mobility limitations, understanding how different acupuncture techniques can influence flexibility and muscle strength is essential to guide therapeutic decisions. Electroacupuncture, which combines needle insertion with electrical stimulation, could theoretically offer benefits superior to traditional manual acupuncture, but this hypothesis still required rigorous scientific investigation.

This study was conducted by Korean investigators with the aim of investigating the immediate effects of electroacupuncture and manual acupuncture on hip flexibility, knee function, and quadriceps strength in healthy adults. The study followed a randomized controlled design involving 45 neurologically healthy participants with a mean age of 23 years. The distinguishing feature of this investigation was the individualized selection of acupuncture points based on specific physical examinations, reflecting real clinical practice in which each person receives personalized treatment. Participants underwent three physical tests assessing flexibility and muscle strength to determine which acupuncture points would be used.

Each person was randomly assigned to one of three groups: control (no treatment), electroacupuncture, or manual acupuncture, all lasting 15 minutes. Measurements of hip range of motion, knee joint function, and quadriceps strength and activation were taken before treatment and at 0, 20, and 40 minutes after its conclusion.

The results revealed important and seemingly contradictory findings. Both electroacupuncture and manual acupuncture produced immediate increases in hip flexibility, with improvements of 4 degrees with electroacupuncture and 5.4 degrees with manual acupuncture. These flexibility gains were maintained throughout the 40-minute observation period, suggesting a lasting treatment effect. Surprisingly, both techniques also caused reductions in quadriceps strength, with decreases of approximately 9% immediately after electroacupuncture treatment and 8.7% after 40 minutes with manual acupuncture.

Knee joint function and muscle activation showed no significant changes. No clear differences in superiority were found between electroacupuncture and manual acupuncture.

For patients and clinicians, these findings have important practical implications. Increased hip flexibility may be beneficial for people with muscle stiffness, athletes seeking improved range of motion, or individuals undergoing rehabilitation. Acupuncture may be a valuable tool to improve joint mobility quickly and durably. However, the reduction in muscle strength immediately after treatment should be carefully considered.

This means that activities requiring maximum quadriceps strength should be avoided right after acupuncture sessions. For athletes, it may be advisable to schedule treatments during periods that do not precede competitions or high-intensity training. The choice between electroacupuncture and manual acupuncture can be based on patient preference and equipment availability, since both demonstrated similar efficacy.

The study has limitations that should be considered when interpreting the results. The sample size, although statistically adequate, may not be sufficient for broad generalizations. The single 15-minute duration may not reflect typical clinical protocols, which often involve multiple sessions. The absence of a sham acupuncture group precludes a complete assessment of placebo effects.

In addition, all participants were young, healthy adults, limiting the applicability to populations with specific clinical conditions. Personalized point selection, while reflecting real practice, may have introduced variability into the results. Future studies should explore the effects of multiple treatments, investigate different populations, and compare individualized versus standardized approaches. Despite these limitations, the research offers valuable evidence on the immediate effects of acupuncture on musculoskeletal function, supporting the clinical practice of individualizing treatment based on individual physical assessment.