Neurophysiological foundations of organ electrodermal diagnostics, acupuncture, TENS and other reflexive therapies: review

Abstract

The nervous system is the primary computing system of the human body. The sensory nervous system detects any damage done to the body from both outside and inside and sends the information, at the earliest stage of pathology, to the central nervous system (CNS), which controls potent self-defense mechanisms. The CNS cannot simultaneously process all available information, originating internally and externally, due to limited capacity. The necessity to eliminate information which is less important at the time, created the specific converging structure of the sensory nervous system. Due to this structure, signals sent from internal organs to the CNS can also reach certain skin areas influencing their electrical characteristics. In this way organ electrodermal diagnostics (OED) may get access to this 'first hand' source of diagnostic information. The CNS gives higher priority to signals resulting from external stimuli (skin) than to messages coming from internal organs: information coming from sensory organs is generally more important for the organism's self-defense and survival. This is why signals generated by internal organs can be blocked by even mild stimulation of the relevant skin areas. 'Convergence modulation theory' is introduced, which proposes that acupuncture and other reflexive therapies function by controlling the flow of information in the nervous system and thereby reprogramming the powerful self-defense systems according to actual needs.


Southern African Journal of Analgesia and Anaesthetics Vol10(3) 2004: 21-27