|
|
|
Pg. 3 |
<Previous Page
First Page^ Next Page> |
 A
Practical Protocol for Electromedical
Treatment of Pain
Chapter 61 in Pain Management: A Practical Guide for Clinicians
Daniel L. Kirsch, Ph.D., D.A.A.P.M., F.A.I.S.
|
to inhibit bacterial growth and then switched to positive current to
promote healing. To date no study has compared this variable of MET.
However, there is some compelling basic science research, and one
animal study, suggesting that a biphasic waveform, which provides both
negative and positive current, may be better in that it both
sterilizes the wound and promotes wound healing (Stromberg, 1988;
Windsor, Lester, & Herring, 1993).
In the I960s Robert O. Becker (1985) demonstrated that electrical
current is the trigger that stimulates healing, growth, and
regeneration in all living organisms. He found that repair of injury
occurs in response to signals that come from an electrical control
system, and suggested that this system became less efficient as we
age.
Becker developed his theory of biological control systems based on
concepts derived from physics, electronics, and biology. He postulated
that the first living organisms must have been capable of self-repair,
otherwise they never would have survived. The repair process requires
a closed-loop system. A specific signal is generated, called the
cur-rent of injury, which causes another signal to start repair. The
injury signal gradually decreases over time with the repair process,
until it finally stops when the repair is complete. Such a primitive
system does not require demonstrable consciousness or intelligence. In
fact, many animals actually have a greater capacity for healing than
humans.
Science has amassed a vast amount of information on how the brain and
nervous system work. Most of this research involves the action
potential as the sole mechanism of the nerve impulse. This is a very
sophisticated and complex system for the transfer of information. It
is helpful to compare this conceptualized concept of the nervous
system to a computer.
The fundamental signal in both the computer and the nervous system is
a digital one. Both systems transfer information represented by the
number of pulses per unit of time. Information also is coded according
to where the pulses originate, where they go, and whether or not there
is more than one channel of pulses feeding into an area. All our
senses (e.g., smell, taste, hearing, sight, and touch) are based on
this type of pulse system. Like a computer, the nervous system
operates remarkably fast and can transfer large amounts of information
as digital on-and-off data.
It is unlikely that the first living organisms had such a
sophisticated system. Becker believes they must have had a much
simpler mechanism for communicating information because they did not
need to transmit large amounts of sophisticated data. Accordingly,
they probably used an analog system. An analog system works by means
of simple DC currents. Information in an analog system is represented
by the strength of the current, its direction of flow, and slow
wavelength variations in its strength. This is a much slower system
than the digital model. However, the analog system is extremely
precise and works well for its intended purpose.
Becker theorizes that primitive organisms used this analog type of
data transmission and control system for repair. He postulates that we
still have this primitive nervous system in the perineural cells of
the central nervous system. These cells comprise 90% of the nervous
system. The perineural cells have semiconductor properties that allow
them to produce and transmit nonpropagating DC signals. This system
functions so vastly differently from the "all or none" law of
propagation of the nerve action potentials that Becker called this the
fourth nervous system.
This analog system senses injury and controls repair. It controls the
activity of cells by producing specific DC electrical environments in
their vicinity. It also appears to be the primary primitive system in
the brain, controlling the actions of the neurons in their generation
and receipt of nerve impulses. Accordingly, as knowledge of this
aspect of our nervous system is uncovered, another mystery of brain
physiology may be explained, including the regulation of our
consciousness and decision-making processes. Given this understanding,
the application of the correct form of electrical intervention is a
powerful tool for treating pain, initiating the endogenous mechanisms
for healing, and altering states of consciousness.
Chang, Van Hoff, Bockx, et al. (1982) proposed another mechanism for
MET. Their research showed that microcurrent stimulation increased
adenosine triphosphate (ATP) generation by almost 500%. Increasing the
level of current to milliampere levels actually decreased the results.
Microcurrent also was shown to enhance amino acid transport and
protein synthesis in the treated area 30 to 40% above controls.
It would be helpful to review the cellular nature of an injury to
fully appreciate the importance of Chang's research. Becker (1985) has
shown that trauma will affect the electrical potential of cells in
damaged tissues. Initially the injured site has a much higher
resistance than that of the surrounding tissue. Basic physics dictates
that electricity tends to flow toward the path of least resistance.
Therefore, endogenous bioelectricity avoids areas of high resistance
and takes the easiest path, generally around the injury. The decreased
electrical flow through the injured area decreases the cellular
capacitance (Windsor, et al., 1993). As a result, healing is actually
impaired. This may be one of the reasons for inflammatory reactions.
Pain, heat, swelling, and redness are the characteristics of inflamed
tissues. Electricity flows more readily through these hot inflammatory
fluids.
The correct microcurrent application to an injured site augments the
endogenous current flow. This allows the traumatized area to regain
its capacitance. The resistance of the injured tissue is then reduced,
allowing bioelectricity to enter the area to reestablish homeostasis.
Therefore, microcurrent electrical therapy can be viewed as a catalyst
helpful in initiating and sustaining the numerous chemical and
electrical reactions that occur in the healing process.
|
|
|
|
|
|
<Previous Page
First Page^ Next Page>
Pain Management: A Practical Guide for Clinicians • Chapt. 61 • 2002 |
Used with permission of Electromedical Products
International, Inc.
|
