Aristotle University Electroacupuncture book Greek edition

The scientific term acupuncture is the imperfect rendering of the Chinese healing method Zhen-Jiu, which means pricking and burning. Acupuncture has a complete theoretical framework with great therapeutic potential. To put it into practice, selected energy points of the skin and underlying tissues are used. According to Head's zones (1893), there are alternating relationships between internal organs and skin. Heine (1988) demonstrated the morphological structure of acupoints, as each acupoint corresponds to the location of a neurovascular bundle. Acupuncture, in addition to its local effect, appears to have a distant effect as well. Thus, according to Pomeranz (1976) endorphin synthesis appears to be favorably affected by acupuncture. The revival of acupuncture began in the late 1950s when a group of surgeons in China thought, if acupuncture can improve existing pain, why not use it to prevent the inevitable pain that accompanies surgery. For this method they used the term acupuncture analgesia. The subsequent visit of US President Richard Nixon to China in 1972 skyrocketed the popularity of acupuncture in the US and around the world. Methods of stimulating acupuncture points, in addition to classical acupuncture, include the application of electric current to needles, which are inserted into the acupuncture points (electroacupuncture), or through skin electrodes placed over the acupuncture points (transcutaneous electrical stimulation), the injection of chemical substances into acupuncture points and pressure massage at selected acupuncture points (acupressure). In 1833, Guillaume Duchenne de Boulogne, the founder of modern electrotherapy, began using electroacupuncture. In 1844 Hermel used electro-puncture to treat sciatica and lumbosacral neuritis by needling the affected area. In 1955 Reinhold Voll establishes low frequency electroacupuncture (1-10 Hz). In late 1971 Dr. Nguyen Van Ngi and his team used acupuncture analgesia in 50 major operations with good results.