Complementary Alternative Cardiovascular Medicine

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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
Chapter 13 / Energy Medicines and Therapies 205 funding has been available for studying the detrimental effects of computer terminals, power lines, and, more recently, cell phones. Under certain conditions, residential and occupational exposure to power lines and other types of man-made EM fields can produce detrimental effects. Potential detrimental effects on the cardiovascular system have also been evaluated. Several reviews of radiowave/microwave EM fields concluded that in order to see changes in heart rate and blood pressure, relatively high field strengths (kW/cm 2 ) are required (11). A recent review of cardiovascular effects of low-frequency EM fields concludes that ECG, heart rate, and blood pressure effects require field strengths of several Tesla (12). An extensive study was unable to reveal any cardiovascular effects using low-intensity (100 mT) fields over a wide range of low frequencies (13). These studies concluded that weak 60Hz EM fields do not have a detrimental effect on the measured cardiovascular parameters (11). Beneficial Effects of Electromagnetic Fields on Cardiovascular Disease Because they can be easily generated using commercial flat magnets with north/south (N/S) poles on opposite faces, clinical studies using DC magnetic fields have been conducted. Studies of animals using DC or static magnetic fields have noted improved blood flow after topical application of various strength magnets for relatively short time periods. For example, a recent study in mice measured the ability of weak (1 mT) magnetic fields to increase capillary blood flow velocity in tibialis anterior muscles (14). The effect required only 10 min of exposure and lasted for an extended period after removal of the magnets. Another recent animal study noted effects on microvascular dynamics after only 1 min of exposure, although somewhat stronger magnets (10 mT) were required (15). Long-term exposure for several weeks resulted in vasodilation of arterioles in a rabbit model (16). In a rabbit hypertension model, whole-body exposure to magnets (approx 10 mT) increased capillary blood flow, and, in some cases, concomitant changes in blood pressure were recorded. (17). It was discovered in the late 1980s that, in addition to stimulating heart muscle with electrical currents, high-frequency (11 MHz and 29 GHz) EM fields of relatively low amplitude (5 mW/cm 2 ) increased the tension of heart muscles made to contract by standard electrical stimulation (18). This study pioneered the use of EM fields in cardiology. More recently, an EM cardiac pacemaker was developed, which generates a weak magnetic field (160 uT), with frequencies similar to those in the power spectrum of the ECG (19).
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Complementary and Alternative Cardi
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CONTEMPORARY CARDIOLOGY CHRISTOPHER
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© 2004 Humana Press Inc. 999 River
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vi Preface physician or other healt
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viii Contents 10 Massage Therapy an
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x Contributors ERIN L. OLIVO, PhD
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Chapter 1 / CAM and CVD 1 1 Complem
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Chapter 1 / CAM and CVD 3 patients
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Chapter 1 / CAM and CVD 5 The crite
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Chapter 1 / CAM and CVD 7 disease c
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Chapter 1 / CAM and CVD 9 analyses,
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12 Alternative Cardiovascular Medic
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Chapter 3 / Botanical Medicine and
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Chapter 5 / Vitamin Therapy and CVD
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Table 2 Type and Quantity of Dietar
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Table 2 (Continued) Type and Quanti
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Index 279 INDEX A N-Acetylcysteine
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Index 281 taurine studies, 106 Conj
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Index 283 Homeopathic medicine, see
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Index 285 funding of studies, 148 g
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Contemporary Cardiology COMPLEMENTA
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