Spring 1982 - Athletic Training History

stimulators capable of producing pulsed low frequency DCcurrent.In the electroacutherapy technique, the large dispersiveelectrode may be placed anywhere on the body surface.If a small diameter treatment probe is not available,the pad should be removed from the second electrode tofacilitate stimulation of a specific point using the electrodeplug (Figure 5).Stimulation of acupuncture points for 30-45 seconds appearsto sufficiently inhibit pain. The intensity of thecurrent should be adjusted so it may be tolerated by thepatient, however some slight discomfort should be expected.Some athletes report immediate reduction of painwhile others experience a delayed pain reduction.SummaryElectroacutherapy involves intense transcutaneouselectrical stimulation of acupuncture points using lowfrequency, pulsed, galvanic current for the purpose ofpain relief. Regardless of the underlying mechanisms,whether it be the flow of Yin and Yang through themeridians or some combination of spinal level, centralbiasing and/or endorphinergic modulation, stimulation ofacupuncture and trigger points appears to be an effectivetherapeutic technique for pain reduction. +ReferencesFigure 51. Acupuncture Anesthesia. U.S. Department of Health,Education and Welfare, DHEW Publication N. 75-584, 1975,pp. 1-25.2. Acupuncture Anesthesia. Monograph published by PfizerPharmaceuticals, 1974, pp. 1-10.3. Anderson S, Ericson T, Holmgren E, Lindquist G: Electroacupunctureeffects on pain threshold measured with electricalstimulation of teeth. Brain Research 63: 393-396,1973.4. Chapman R, Benedetti C: Analgesia following transcutaneouselectrical stimulation and its partial reversal by anarcotic antagonist. Life Science 21: 1645-1648,1977.14.15.16.17.Melzack R: Prolonged relief of pain by brief, intense transcutaneoussomatic stimulation. Pain 1: 357-373,1975.Melzack R, Stillwell D, Fox E: Trigger points and acupuncturepoints for pain: correlations and implications. Pain 3: 3-23,1977.Melzack R, Wall P: Pain mechanisms: A new theory. Science150: 971-979,1965.Omura Y: Pathophysiology of acupuncture treatment: effectsof acupuncture treatment on cardiovascular and nervoussystems. Acupuncture Electrical Therapeutics ResearchInternationalJournal 1: 51-142,1976.5. Cheng R, Pomeranz B: Electroacupuncture analgesia couldbe mediated by at least two pain relieving mechanisms: endorphinand non-endorphin systems. Life Science 25: 1957-1962,1979.6. Fox E, Melzack R: Transcutaneous Electrical stimulationand acupuncture: comparison of treatment for low back pain.Pain 2: 357-373,1976.7. Hwang Ti Nei Ching. (Translation) Berkley: University ofCalifornia Press, 1973.8. Kenyon J: Acupuncture in Pain Relief. Persistent Pain:Modern Methods of Treatment. Edited by Lipton S, London:Academic Press, 1980, p. 203-222.9. Man PL, Chen CH: Acupuncture anesthesia — a new theoryand clinical study. Current Therapeutic Research 14: 390-394,1972.10. Manaka Y: On certain electrical phenomena for the interpretationof Ch'i in Chinese acupuncture. American Journalof Chinese Medicine 3: 71-74,1975.11. Mann F: Acupuncture: The ancient Chinese art of healingand how it works scientifically. New York: Random House,1973, pp. 1-58.12. Matsumoto T: Acupuncture for Physicians. Springfield, 111:Charles C. Thomas, Publisher, 1974, pp. 9-11.13. Mayer D, Liebeskind J: Pain reduction by focal electricalstimulation of the brain: an anatomical and behavioralanalysis. Brain Research 68: 73-93,1974.18. Omura Y: Electroacupuncture: Its physiological basis andcriteria for effectiveness and safety. Acupuncture ElectricalTherapeutics Research International Journal 1: 157-181,1975.19. Pomeranz B: Brain's opiates at work in acupuncture. NewScientist 73: 12-13,1975.20. Pomeranz B, Paley D: Electroacupuncture hypoalgesia ismediated by afferent nerve impulses: An electrophysiologicalstudy in mice. Experimental Neurology 66:398-402,1979.21. Roeser W, Meeks L, Veins R, Strickland G: The use oftranscutaneous stimulation for pain control in athleticmedicine. A preliminary report. American Journal of SportsMedicine 4: 210-213, 1976.22. Sjolund B, Eriksson M: Electroacupuncture and endogenousmorphines. Lancet 2: 1085,1976.23. Ten LT, Ten MC, Veith I: Acupuncture Therapy.Philadelphia: Temple University Press, 1976, pp. 26-27.24. Wei LY: Scientific advances in acupuncture. American Journalof Chinese Medicine 7: 53-75,1979.25. Wen HL, Ho WK, Ling N, Ma L, Choa G: The influence ofelectroacupuncture on Naloxone — induces morphine withdrawal.Elevation of immunoassayable beta-endorphin activityin the brain but not in the blood. American Journal ofChinese Medicine 7: 237-240,1979.Athletic Training • Spring 1982 21