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Peripheral Neuropathy Treatment

This document discusses the treatment of peripheral neuropathy with microcurrent electro-acupuncture. [1] Peripheral neuropathy is a painful disorder of the peripheral nervous system with initial symptoms of burning pain in the hands and feet, often progressing to weakness and gait difficulties. [2] It is often caused by diabetes or AIDS/HIV. [3] Current medical treatments have side effects, so alternative treatments like microcurrent stimulation and carnitine supplementation are being explored.

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Santiago Herrera
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134 views3 pages

Peripheral Neuropathy Treatment

This document discusses the treatment of peripheral neuropathy with microcurrent electro-acupuncture. [1] Peripheral neuropathy is a painful disorder of the peripheral nervous system with initial symptoms of burning pain in the hands and feet, often progressing to weakness and gait difficulties. [2] It is often caused by diabetes or AIDS/HIV. [3] Current medical treatments have side effects, so alternative treatments like microcurrent stimulation and carnitine supplementation are being explored.

Uploaded by

Santiago Herrera
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Treatment of Peripheral Neuropathy With Microcurrent Electro-Acupuncture

By Darren Starwynn, O.M.D.

Peripheral neuropathy (PN) is a painful, disabling disorder of the peripheral nervous system. Initial
symptoms include burning pain in the hands and feet, and it often progresses into muscular weakness
and gait difficulties. The condition is often precipitated by diabetes and AIDS. In the case of diabetes,
there is often more central nervous system degeneration, while AIDS-related PN is usually limited to the
peripheral NS. In many cases AIDS-related PN is a side-effect of medications such as stavudine,
zalcitabine, didanosine, and zidovudine. Other cases are caused by the disease process itself. Painful
peripheral neuropathy in both diabetes mellitus and HIV share a similar pathogenesis of axonal atrophy
and demyelination (McReynolds, 1995).

Patients with PN often experience dry, itchy skin, and infections due to scratching it with possible
weakened immune response is common.

Current medical treatment for PN includes NSAIDs such as ibuprofen or paracetamol for mild cases, or
amitryptylene or other tri-cyclic anti-depressants for more advanced cases. These medications can
cause uncomfortable side effects of fatigue, dry mouth and constipation. There is no known medical
cure for PN.

Due to the lack of effective medical treatments there has been a great deal of interest in finding
alternative medical treatments for PN. One that has shown usefulness is supplementation with carnitine,
a naturally occurring substance in the body which plays a role in the conversion of triglycerides in
mitochondria and which regulates the metabolism of various tissues, including nerve tissue outside of the
central nervous system. HIV-positive individuals have been shown to have a shortage of carnitine.

Microcurrent stimulation has shown great promise in the treatment of PN for pain relief and strengthening
of muscles and tendons facilitating improved walking and other common functions. Probe techniques
that promote meridian balancing, course the channels, promote normal body polarity and energize key
acu-points are very valuable. Pad treatment techniques that flood affected areas with microcurrent are
also an important aspect of treatment. Dr. Richard Niemtzow’s protocol below is an innovative use of a
“scrambled” polarity placements that he has found very effective that apparently helps the body’s central
nervous system reset its electrical potentials in some unknown way.

You will also receive another article from me soon about a powerful protocol for treatment of PN and
other neuro-degenerative conditions using an innovative system “system overhaul” using color light and
microcurrent on Back-Shu, Governing and Conception vessel point sets. (This will also be presented at
the upcoming New York seminar on May 31).

The following microcurrent protocols have been contributed by Margaret McReynolds, P.T., and Richard
Niemtzow, M.D.

Study by M. McReynolds, based on 17 cases

Results: “In a prospective study we just completed, microcurrent was found to be significant for pain
relief as well as improved gait function. The study includes seven months of treatments, and group, and
six controls. In the study we used 8 Hz, negative polarity, burst mode, 100 µA intensity, sloped
waveform, and timer at 20 minutes.”
Average # of treatments: 8

Frequency of treatments: Three times a week


.
Etiology of injury/condition: Axonal death, symptoms include painful parasthesias, weakness.

Method: Microcurrent pad placements: St36 --> Bl60, Liver 3 and Kidney 1 for pain from knees to toes.
L5 S1crossing to K1 (bilateral) then St 36 --> Bl 60 for pain extending above knees.

Settings used: Suggested microamp pad electrode parameters:


Intensity: 100 µA
Hz: 8.0
Waveform: Sloped
Mode: Continuous
Polarity: Biphasic
Timer: 20 minutes

Adjunctive therapies: Osseous manipulation, massage, craniosacral techniques. Most patients exhibit
down coordination, weakness, and loss of forefoot and ankle flexibility. When these are present we
combine massage and friction rub to the feet and ankles, balance and strengthening exercises. Patients
often also experience spinal column alignment problems. Neural therapy techniques are used to
address these problems.

Further methods or results: Most patients are also issued a portable microcurrent to use at home one
to two times a day for long term management. Relief is lasting, a few patients require periodic clinical
follow ups for one or two sessions.

Protocol from Niemtzow and Starwynn (offered at an East-West Seminars event)

Peripheral Neuropathy

Use polarized microcurrent probe electrodes to treat points in sets on affected limbs (first point listed is
+ polarity, second one listed is – polarity): St 36 St 41, SI joint area UB 60, Sp 9 Sp 6, Lv 3 K 1,
GB 34 GB 41, groin K 1, etc

Use polarized microcurrent pads with asymmetrical polarity pad placements. i.e., left leg, + proximal, -
distal, right leg, - proximal, + distal.
Pad parameters: 0.6 Hz – 2 Hz, square wave, 25 – 50 µA. Treat 20 minutes every
other day.

For recalcitrant cases, try alternating microamp with narrow pulse milliamp treatment
(high volt galvanic current). Acupuncture needles may be inserted into major Qi
circulatory points on the legs in conjunction with the pad electrodes. Useful needling
points include GB 31, 34, 40, 41, St 30, 36, 37, Sp 6 + 9, K 2.

Useful Colors of Light - Turquoise (acute alterative), Indigo (sedative for inflammation
or restless legs), Yellow if with leg weakness (stimulates the nervous system)
References for this article:

1) Lower Limb Presentation of HIV/AIDS by Danii Paterson

2) Physical therapy management of HIV disease: a retrospective study, by Galatino, ML and


McReynolds MA, Oregon Health Sciences University, Portland, OR , quoted in J Int Assoc Physicians
AIDS Care. 1995 Jun;1(5):15-8

For more information, you may email Dr. Starwynn at [email protected], or you may post questions
on Dr. Starwynn’s Knowledge Base at http://www.east-westseminars.com/ask_dr_starwynn.php

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