He’s Alive!
The fictional Dr. Victor Frankenstein had to harness the massive electrical energy from a storm to reanimate his monster creation. Although fictional, there was great curiosity in the beginning of the nineteenth century to use strong galvanic current to elicit muscle response from dead frogs and newly deceased individuals. This was by no means bringing life back but simply providing enough external energy to muscle.
Often science begins with basic novel side show antics that eventually lead to more in depth understanding. Today we understand that all living things function with a bio-electrical system. We still tend to look at the big picture as to what we see as reality. As individuals we take for granted that our bodies are a complex interconnected harmonious system. Often doctors tend to focus on their specialty. Your cardiologist focuses on your heart. You are a heart with a body wrapped around that organ.
The foundation of every living plant or animal is the cell. Each cell has its own function and mechanism of action. This includes a driving electrical charge called an action potential. This is the power behind all cells whether muscles, nerves or any specific function needed. Miracuosly cells will adapt to what is required. How does the body know how to repair a skinned knee to look like it did previuosly, while adjusting to more severe tissue damage with a scar forming collagen. The body decides that healing a severe wound takes precedence over cosmetic appearance.
Electrical energy has been misunderstood and feared even today. Often the medical world will more readily accept that a positive clinical outcome was a miracle rather than attributing that outcome some some electrical apparatus. This problem was created and exacerbated by Charletins dramatically overstating the benefits of electrical energy. Sears, Roebuck & Company sold devices in the early 1900’s that claimed cures for virtually every ailment known. This caused doubt in the legitimate medical profession, and the proverbial baby was thrown out with the bathwater.
Eventually the pendulum of electrical energy credibility swung back. After World War II many amputees suffered from phantom pain. This is where the body believes that the severed limb is still there and sends dramatic pain signals. Electrical stimulation eliminates these phantom pain signals. External electrical stimulation is utilized in numerous other applications when our endogenous electrical system has failed or needs a jump start.
Sports teams have used E-stim for decades to reduce swelling almost immediately after an injury, as well as accelerating healing time. This energy increases blood flow to assist in wound healing. Bones that are slow to heal can be prompted to increase osteoblast production and improved healing rates. The list goes on with electrical energy being adjunctive to our own bio-electrical system.
Electrical energy is the lynchpin to our own system but can also be applied in numerous forms externally when required. It is unbelievable what an amazing intricate gift we have been given with our bodies. This can be realized looking at the big picture and becomes even more magical when reduced to cellular level. However, you see it be thankful and take care of this ultimate Divine gift.
