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 Microcurrent
Electrical Therapy Heals a Recalcitrant Wound in a Horse.
Journal of Equine Veterinary Science
25(11): 418-422, 2005Ava Frick, DVM Animal
Fitness Center, PC
Union, MO |
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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
current of injury (COI), which causes another signal to start repair.
The COI 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 self-consciousness or
intelligence. In fact, many animals 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 is also 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 better than
a digital one for its intended purpose.
Becker theorizes that primitive organisms used an analog type of
data-transmission and control system for repair. He found 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 non-propagating |
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DC signals. This system functions so vastly different from the “all or
none” law of propagation of the nerve action potentials that Becker
called it the “fourth nervous system.”
This analog system senses injury and controls repair. It controls the
activity of cells by producing specific direct current 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. Given this
understanding, the application of the correct form of electrical
intervention is a powerful tool for initiating the endogenous
mechanisms for healing.
Chang14 proposed another mechanism for MET. His 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 was
also 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. Trauma will
affect the electrical potential of cells in damaged tissues.13
Initially, the injured site has a much
higher resistance than that of the surrounding tissue.
Basic physics dictates that electricity tends to flow towards 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.15 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 MET therapy can be viewed
as a catalyst helpful in initiating and sustaining the numerous
chemical and electrical reactions that occur in the healing process.
Adenosine triphosphate is an essential factor in the healing process.
Large amounts of ATP, the cell’s main energy source, are required to
control primary functions, such as the movement of vital minerals like
sodium, potassium, magnesium, and calcium, into and out of the cell.
It also sustains the movement of waste products out of the cell.
Injured tissues are deficient in ATP. |
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Journal of Equine Veterinary Science • 25(11): 418-422 • 2005 |
Used with permission of Electromedical Products
International, Inc.
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