Abstract
Electro-Acupuncture effects are found to be dependent on the frequency of applied electrical impulses provided that each wave form and all other parameters are kept constant. The lower the frequency, the more time it takes to produce some of the beneficial effects of Acupuncture and the longer the beneficial effects last. On the other hand, the higher the frequency, the shorter the time required to obtain the beneficial effects of Acupuncture, but the shorter the time the effects remain. The possible mechanisms explaining frequency dependent phenomena is postulated. Effects of capacitive current and ionic current component of electrical stimulation on the effectiveness of excitation of excitable cell membrane are discussed, along with the importance of short rise or fall time of electrical stimuli. The side effects of electrical Acupuncture, i.e. necrosis of the tissues around the electrodes and the breakage of the metal needle electrode used as a positive electrode, and their causes are analyzed. To minimize such side-effects, a simple technique developed by the author for evaluating polarization effects and safety of electrical stimulator for Electro-Acupuncture is presented.
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