Complementary Alternative Cardiovascular Medicine

204 Alternative Cardiovascular Medicine
Additional support for such a global field was presented by Burr, who
first measured DC electrodermal potentials. Burr concluded that “all
living systems possess an Electro-dynamic field... of the whole organism”
(6). More recently, Becker established a role for DC potentials in
wound healing (7), and he noted their role in the acupuncture meridian
system by studying DC potentials on and off acupoints (8). Slydona has
studied the fluctuations in DC potentials on acupoints as subjects practiced
mental healing and meditation techniques (9,10). An intrinsic
energy field of the body, also referred to as the “biofield,” is believed
to be the source of intrinsic energy therapies and the target for extrinsic
energies.
PART I: EXTRINSIC ENERGY THERAPIES
Extrinsic energy therapies fall into two categories—energies generated
by man and those generated by machine. These studies suggest that
man-made devices, which generate EM, acoustic, and optical energy,
have a variety of biological effects at the cellular and systemic levels.
The scientific data regarding their use in cardiology are discussed in the
next two sections. Despite limited use in the United States (due, in part,
to FDA regulations), European, Japanese, and Russian physicians and
practitioners use these devices in clinical settings. Some commercially
available devices have FDA approval, whereas others are designed for
home use only. A relevant example that demonstrates these points is the
popular use of magnets. Several scientific studies reviewed below demonstrate
that weak DC magnetic fields may, in fact, have beneficial
effects. Parameters like the strength and polarity of the magnets, the
duration of treatment, exposure conditions (continuous vs interrupted
exposure), and the method of application (placement on/off acupuncture
points) have been selected from clincial experience. In some cases, there
is a scientific rationale for the choice of the parameters, although they
were determined by trial and error. For many of the studies described,
appropriate clinical usage parameters have not yet been defined.
Bioelectromagnetics
The bioelectromagnetics community is actively involved with scientific
and clinical research (and publication of a peer-reviewed journal)
of the biological effects of EM fields. During the last 40 yr, research has
focused on both beneficial and detrimental biological effects of EM
fields. Generally, strong EM fields produce thermal biological effects,
which are often detrimental, whereas weak fields produce nonthermal
effects that in select cases have been clinically beneficial. Government