Electro acupuncture

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The term electro- acupuncture describes on the one hand electro-medical procedures in medicine that are based on the views of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), especially acupuncture , and are often combined with the teachings of classical homeopathy ( homeosiniatry ). On the other hand, it refers to acupuncture procedures with needles that are additionally stimulated with a low electrical current ( transcutaneous hyperstimulation ). Electro-acupuncture is a method of alternative medicine and is similar to radionics , which has been widespread since the 1920s .

The term electro acupuncture goes back to the French doctor Roger de la Fuye (1890–1961), who developed the first electro acupuncture device . In this context, the French Niboyet was of the opinion that the acupuncture points of TCM would differ from the surrounding skin by a different electrical skin resistance. Richard Croon, who developed electronic neurodiagnostics, was of the same opinion . At the beginning of the fifties, the principle of electro acupuncture was further investigated in Germany by doctors W. Schmidt in Dachau and Schick in Stuttgart.

Wider distribution has the electro-acupuncture by the works of the German doctor Reinhold Voll experience (1909-1989) that the introduction of e lektro a kupunktur by V led oll (EAV).

Principle of the SAB

Electrical scheme of EAV measurement
Use of electro acupuncture according to Reinhold Voll

The electrical skin resistance against a reference point is measured at various acupuncture points. This reference point can be a touched hand electrode or another electrically conductive object that is connected to the patient. According to Voll, the measured resistance should be between about 10 kiloohms and a maximum of 4 megohms, with a measuring current of 10 microamps. The measured value determined is displayed on the devices as a number between 0 and 100. The value 0 should indicate the highest possible skin resistance, the value 50 should correspond to a resistance of 95 kiloohms and the value 100 would be comparable to a short circuit (0 ohms). This resistance measurement should provide information about disorders in the body. These disorders are then supposed to be cured by means of nosodes (highly diluted substances obtained from "disease products" to which the homeopathic doctrine ascribes beneficial effects). A resonance test is carried out to determine the appropriate homeopathic remedy : samples of various agents are placed in the device for measuring skin resistance and the reaction of the measuring device is observed.

The preparations identified are then administered to the patient. The contents of the nosodes can be drunk or injected. How long the patient has to take the medication and what amounts are determined by the therapist depending on the diagnosis.

The EAV works with the inclusion of elements of traditional Chinese acupuncture and medicine, but also of homeopathy according to Samuel Hahnemann . The skin resistance can be measured at up to 1000 different acupuncture points. It is usually measured at at least 120 points on the hands and feet. This is followed by an evaluation according to a rating scale that is attached to the EAV devices. The middle pointer value is 50 and is considered a healthy value in electro acupuncture . Low values ​​should indicate degenerative tendencies, very high values ​​inflammatory tendencies. A phenomenon that causes a pointer to rise and then immediately drop sharply is called pointer drop-off. This event is intended to indicate acute health problems. Since the EAV takes measurements in the meridian course, a trained therapist should be able to detect different connections. The expression of this is the respective individuality of the person examined.

In the drug test, an active ingredient, drug, isopathic or homeopathic preparation is placed in a metal cup that the person being examined holds in his hand. The skin resistance is then measured using the EAV device. According to the device manufacturer, all foods can be tested with this method, and food or environmental incompatibilities should be recognizable.

History of the EAV

As early as the early 19th century, attempts were made to use the combination of acupuncture with electrical currents therapeutically. Voll, a Plochingen family doctor, received an electro- acupuncture device from another doctor in the 1950s and, together with engineer Fritz Werner, examined the measurability of "energetic disturbances" in the human body. They postulated a connection between the resistance or conductance value in the corresponding skin regions and diseases known from acupuncture.

The Bioresonanztherapie emerged from the SAB. It was developed by the doctor Franz Morell, a student of Voll, and his son-in-law Erich Rasch.

Mentioned indications of the EAV

The EAV is used in the field of alternative medicine for allergies, neuralgia, headaches, neurodermatitis, liver and kidney weakness, stomach and intestinal diseases, toothache and other complaints, both diagnostically and therapeutically.

Criticism of the SAB and the question of its effectiveness

According to evidence-based medicine , EAV (as well as bioresonance , radionics and similar procedures) are ineffective. Skin resistance is primarily determined by the activity of the sweat glands . For this reason alone, its use for the diagnosis and evaluation of diseases is absurd, because its activity is also influenced by several factors that are not related to diseases. Furthermore, the practitioner can press his test electrode more or less strongly on the skin during the measurement, which results in a change in resistance. In principle, the examiner can therefore deliberately influence the measurement result in the EAV. In order to reduce this possibility of influence, special test electrodes have been developed that allow measurements to be taken at constant pressure. However, these special electrodes are generally not used by individual therapists.

Scientific studies in the field of acupuncture could not find any evidence for the existence of the meridians: it makes no significant difference in effectiveness whether one pricks with needles at traditional acupuncture points or at randomly chosen points or even pretends a prick with trick needles. The EAV procedure failed in allergy diagnostics. Changes in resistance or impedance at acupuncture points to neighboring points could not be scientifically proven.

Attitude of the health insurance companies

Health insurance companies do not cover the costs for EAV treatment because of the lack of proof of effectiveness.

Web links

literature

Jan Steffen and Christian Steffen: Electro acupuncture according to Voll (EAV) in medical dissertations - belief instead of knowledge . In: Skeptiker 2/2017 pp. 67–71

Individual evidence

  1. ^ Sophie Eisenmann: Daily rhythmic investigations into electroacupuncture according to Voll - An assessment of the Chinese organ clock . (PDF; 1.1 MB) Dissertation . University of Marburg, 2006.
  2. ↑ Carlo Di Stanislao, Dennesis Konopacki: Introduzione ai principi della Elletroagopuntuta di full. ( Memento from September 28, 2007 in the Internet Archive )
  3. ↑ M. Schwaiger: On the history of electro-acupuncture in Europe in the 19th century. Dissertation. 2001.
  4. ^ Edzard Ernst : Complementary medical diagnostic procedures. In: Dtsch Arztebl. 102 (44), 2005, pp. A-3034 / B-2560 / C-2410
  5. ^ R. Van Wijk: Homoeopathic remedies and pressure induced changes and the galvanic resistance of the skin. State University of Utrecht, Research Unit for Complementary Medicine, Utrecht 1989.
  6. ↑ M. Semizzi: A double-blind, placebo-controlled study on the diagnostic accuracy of an electrodermal test in allergic subjects. In: Clinical and Experimental Allergy . Volume 32, June 2002, p. 928.
  7. ↑ H. Gloerfeld: Electro acupuncture according to Voll (EAV): a contribution to the critical assessment of an unconventional procedure. Dissertation. Philipps University, Marburg 1987.
  8. ↑ S. Witte, H.-P. Scharf, U. Mansmann, K. Streitberger, C. Klose, C. Knauer, J. Krämer, N. Victor: Efficacy and safety of acupuncture in chronic osteoarthritis-related pain: multicenter, randomized, controlled study . (PDF; 1.6 MB). December 2005.
  9. ^ E. Ernst: Acupuncture as a Symptomatic Treatment of Osteoarthritis. A systematic review. ( Memento of the original from September 24, 2006 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was automatically inserted and not yet checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. In: Scand J Rheumatol . 26, 1997, pp. 444-447.  @1@ 2Template: Webachiv / IABot / www.jr2.ox.ac.uk
  10. ↑ O. Berggold: The so-called drug test in electro acupuncture. In: Zeitsch Allgemeinmed. 52, 1976, p. 312.
  11. ↑ CH Katelaris: Vega testing in the diagnosis of allergic conditions. The Australian College of Allergy. In: Med J Aust. 155 (2), Jul 15, 1991, pp. 113-114.
  12. ↑ GT Lewith, JN Kenyon, J. Broomfield, P. Prescott, J. Goddard, ST Holgate: Is electrodermal testing as effective as skin prick tests for diagnosing allergies? A double blind, randomized block design study. In: BMJ (Clinical research ed.). Volume 322, Number 7279, January 2001, pp. 131-134, ISSN  0959-8138 . PMID 11159567 . PMC 26588 (free full text).
  13. ↑ H. Bresser: Allergy testing with electro acupuncture according to Voll. In: dermatologist. 44, 1993, p. 408.
  14. ^ S. Pearson, AP Colbert, J. McNames, M. Baumgartner, R. Hammerschlag: Electrical skin impedance at acupuncture points. In: J Altern Complement Med. 13 (4), May 2007, pp. 409-418.
  15. ↑ AC Ahn, J. Wu, GJ Badger, R. Hammerschlag, HM Langevin: Electrical impedance along connective tissue planes associated with acupuncture meridians. In: BMC Complement Altern Med. 5, May 9, 2005, p. 10.