Electroacupuncture

 

Electrotherapy originated in fact in Europe. Its fathers are Italian scholars - Ludwik Galvani (1738-1798) and Aleksander Volta (1745-1827) who were the first to make use of the low voltage current for healing. Such a method was named a Galvanic bath. A century later, French neurologist G.B. Duchenne (1806-1873) developed this method and set the rules for usage of the electric current, both for diagnostic and healing purposes. He successfully used electricity for healing various disorders and paralyses. The introduction of electricity into acupuncture gave birth to a new treatment branch - electroacupuncture. Electroacupuncture uses electricity to stumulate the biologically active spots on the skin. This is made by use of specialistic devices which create electroimpulses of appropriate intensity. Russian scholars A.I. Nieczuszkin and O.W. Oganesjan (1976) stated that weak, variable current is constantly flowing through the acupuncture points on the human body. It is known that there is a difference in potentials between the skin cover and the under sking layer. According to these scholars, that difference is partially equated by the biologically active points. In the cases in which classic acupuncture does not help the electrostimulation may be introduced. Apart from that, electroacpuncture quite effectively works for disorders, paralyses and some nerve pains. The doctor sets the appropriate voltage and frequency of the electric impulses depending on the need. Usually, the intensity oscillates from 10 to 500 mkA. Any metal element implanted in the patient's body (e.g. a heart pacemaker) is a natural contraindication for this method.