Content uploaded by Tanya Zilberter
Author content
All content in this area was uploaded by Tanya Zilberter
Content may be subject to copyright.
Reflexo-Therapy With Mechanical Cutaneous Stimulation: Pilot Study
Tanya Zilberter* and Jim Roman*.
*Community Wholistic Health Center, Carrboro, North Carolina 103 Weaver St.,
Carrboro NC 27710
Proceedings of the International Symposium on Integrative Medicine, May 26-28, 1999,
Omega Institute, NY, 315-415
Abstract
A medical device to deliver skin stimulation was developed in Russia in the early 1980s and
several studies were done on the device. These studies indicated a high degree of success in the
treatment of a variety of disorders. The device and method of use were based loosely on the
practice of acupuncture. These, however, does not help to explain the phenomenon within
Western scientific paradigm. Aside from metaphysical explanations about energy flow through
the channels-meridians, there have been few theories proposed. The present paper reviews the
development and the early Russian studies, as well as results of the pilot research program
conducted in the Community Wholistic Health Center, Carrboro, NC. The paper then
discusses two of the theories applicable to the results.
Introduction
Traditional Eastern healing methods and Western folk remedies include a number of skin
stimulation techniques, the most common of which is massage and the most sophisticated is
acupuncture. The "bed of nails", long favored by certain Hindu mystics, probably shares an
underlying mechanism with acupuncture. A modern version of the bed of nails was invented
about fifteen years ago by a lay Russian person, Ivan Kuznetzov, for his own use as a kind of
self-acupuncture device. It turned out to be extremely successful in relieving and curing a large
number of common ailments in Russia, in 1982, when it was being tested at The Institute of
Experimental Surgery [1]. Back then, it was a handmade rubber mat which had approximately
fifteen hundred stainless steel office pins in it, about 50 mm apart from each other with the
sharp ends up. The hope was to eventually affect acupuncture points with some of the pins,
like shooting a penny with a large number of pellets. The hope was also that the many pins not
on target will not harm whatever good the right pins might do.
Russian Research Studies
Based on informal studies, five Moscow clinics gave the device positive reviews and it was
approved for use by the Department of Health. It was mass produced and distributed by a
cooperative firm run by Kuznetzov and eventually could be bought in any drug store. The case
files on the patients who used the device filled up several walls and the line for appointments
formed well before opening. A documentary was filmed and aired over Soviet national
television. At the time, no one was really interested why the method worked. The
documentation covered over 5,000 treatments on over 400 patients. The studies showed highly
reproducible pain relief for complicated fractures and concussions, reduction in surgical pain,
reduced pain and stiffness in patients with osteochondrosis, improved respiratory function in patients
with broncho-pulminary conditions, and all with no side effects. (Summaries of these research
studies are included in the Appendix). Although the method achieved great success in Russia,
no professional discussions were held, no articles were published, and no proposed theories
behind the method were ever offered
Recent U.S. Research Studies
Method
In the United States, a new version of Kuznetzov's device is now available under the brand
name Panaceaª, it is composed of a flexible polyurethane base (9.5" x 19") with 1320 pointed
pyramidal "stimulators" which provide intensive tactile stimulation when being pressed with
the body weight upon the skin of the back in the supine position. Distribution of the body
weight between large number of "stimulators" insures a safe procedure without penetrating the
skin.
Subjects
The study done in 1996 consisted of following up 200 subjects who used their own devices
for at least two weeks. 126 of them filled out the questionnaires which were collected and analyzed.
Among them, 105 treported that they used the device for various specific health problems
The five most frequently reported conditions were the following (starting with the most frequent):
stress, pain, muscle spasms, mood swings and insomnia.
Results
One or more positive effects of the device on the conditions specified by subjects were
reported by 99 of the 105 participants (94%) with the above specific health problems.
However, in many cases there were not enough subjects to make comclusions regarding effects
of the Panacea on the specific ailments. To obtain significant number of cases, we included in
the questionnaire 5 health conditions to be estimated by all the participants, including those
with no particular health problems.
One of the questions of the questionnaire was the following: "Did you experience any positive
effects using the Panacea in the following categories: relaxation, pain relief, sleep quality,
energy level, allergies?" Out of 126 subjects, 98% reported pain relief, 96% reported relaxation,
94% reported improvement in the quality of sleep, and 81% reported an increase in energy
level. Approximatelly half of the subjects with allergy problems reported their symptoms' relief
Out 21 participants who reported no tested the method while having no particular health
problems, 13 nevertheless reported one or more positive effects of the Panacea
The only adverse effect is some initial discomfort which disappears after a few treatments. In
fact, one of the questions in our research questionnaire was the following: "What was your
comfort level the first time you laid on the Panacea? The fifth time?" During the first use 46%
felt very uncomfortable and 42% uncomfortable. However, by the fifth use, the picture has
reversed: 52.5% felt very comfortable and 36.5% - comfortable (Fig.1).
Discussion
New Theories
One of the few known Western theories on acupuncture [2, 3] belongs to a team of theoretical
biologists working under Dr. Dmitri Chernavski, a professor at the Russian Academy of
Sciences, Institute of Physics, in Moscow. The group approached the problem from the point
of view of concept of neurocomputing [4]
Since mid-century, using a model based on real (live) neural structures, a whole new class of
computers, possessing so called "artificial intelligence", has been developed -- ones that can
learn, recognize objects, and correct their own mistakes. In somewhat of a paradox, the reverse
logic has been used now, in order to explain the mechanisms of a live brain using the known
electronic models. Thus the theory of self-diagnostic function of an organism was developed.
Many of the processes of recognizing images, including the "image" of a disease, take place at
as low level of the central nervous system as the spinal cord. In the gray matter of the spinal
cord, neurons are organized into what are called "Rexed laminae" and their functions are
well-known. The signals from the inner organs, from the skin, muscles, etc., separately one
from another, first go through the first lamina. Then the signals move through the second
lamina, third one, and so on, while increasingly interacting with each other and finally reach the
brain in the form of integrated sets of information about the body's state of being.
The computers that recognize objects have basically the same laminar structure and similar
function of signal integration. In both cases, an omitted signal from an internal organ, or one
that is not strong enough, can be compensated for in the process of multiple repetitive passing
back and forth ("back propagation"), as well as by a kind of filtering through the laminae. The
process is only possible if the total current of the integrated signal is powerful enough.
According to Dr. Chernavski, skin stimulation at the specific point of acupuncture,
corresponded to a particular internal organ or it's function, accomplishes the goal of
strengthening a weak or deteriorated signal from the organ. The process of integration in the
Rexed laminae, in this case of information from the skin and the organ, increases the flow of
"signals of illness" from an organ, or points out a body's mistake in recognizing the disorder.
It is as if you wanted to send a message to someone down the stream. Your write the message
on a sheet of paper, fold the sheet in a manner of a paper boat and then face the fact that there
is little or no water in the stream. Add some water, and the little boat will get there. Neither the
way of adding the water nor the water itself has any effect on the content of letter sent.
Why the pairs "skin point- organ" converge in the central nervous system, is not completely
clear. One of hypotheses is that it is due to rudimental memory of the process of
embriogenesis, when the cells composing the skin and the organs originated from common
maternal cells before the differentiation process diverge them. The phenomenon of skin
projection of internal organs doubtlessly occurs and many, for example, angina sufferers
experience it on practice in form of pain irradiation to the scapular or jaw skin areas. The
possibility to use this circumstances has been empirically discovered by many healing schools
from ancient to our days.
Once the body has the stronger, clearer information about the injury or disease, the natural
healing powers of the body take over. What happens when the disease is recognized, the above
theory does not explain, stating that the body has enough resources to battle the disease on its
own. Conventional medicine neglects that statement, while holistic medicine is based on it.
Nevertheless, conventional medicine may be missing an opportunity in dismissing this
explanation too quickly. Within the limits of the West's strict paradigm, there has been
collected a large number of facts on natural ways of fighting diseases by restoring a proper
balance of physiological functions. We offer to discuss one of the most universal mechanisms
to restore body's balance.
It is known that a number of physical actions in excess of average intensity, can trigger the
release of endorphins (Fig. 2), including but notl imited to: pain [5], stress [6], bleeding [7],
acupuncture [8, 9], sex [10], positive emotions [11] , highly palatable foods [12], memorization
process [13]. Pain reduction, in it's turn, is the most common result associated with the release of
endorphins [14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19]. It has been eventually concluded, that any intense skin stimulation
will cause a significant release of endorphins [20].
Another effect is the curious state the body falls into after the endorphin concentration has
gone up: a number of other physiological regulators are released into the bloodstream such as
growth hormone and insulin [21, 22]. Each one of those regulators changes a number of
different body functions. As a result, it is not surprising that many serious diseases are linked to the
abnormalities in the endorphin system including: schizophrenia [23, 24, 25],
epilepsy [26], Parkinson's disease [27, 28, 29], hypertensia [30, 31], diabetes [32, 33, 34], PMS
[35, 36, 37, 38], hot flashes [39], weight problems [40, 41, 42].
Thus, skin stimulation, even not necessarily as accurate as in acupuncture, but intensive
enough, does at least two things:
1. Provides additional unspecific sensory input to the body's self-diagnostic center in the
central nervous system thus amplifying insufficient signals from diseased internal organs.
2. Coordinates the body's functions through the cascade of physiological regulators
triggered by endorphins which in their turn are being released by reflexes from the skin.
These explanations throw new light on the results of Russian research in this area done during
the 1980s and may explain the success of Kuznetzov's device.
Conclusion
We suggest that, since this type of skin stimulation has been repeatedly shown to elicit reflexes
causing release of endorphins into the blood stream, most of the reported results can be
explained by the mobilization of this particular type of endogenous stress- and pain-protective
mechanism. We also consider important the local blood flow increase as well as the
involvement of dozens of acupoints activated during the procedure. In the most used position
of the Panacea upon the upper- to lower back, the acupoints involved can be expected to
provide the following effects:
• Strengthening the liver, spleen and kidney
• Alleviating headaches, fatigue,depression and insomnia
• Easing spinal problems, sciatica, muscle spasms and cramps
• Activation the immune system
• Relief of flu, cold and asthma
• Regulation of digestion and elimination
• Improvement of conditions of cystitis, diarrhea, hemorrhoids, PMS and complicated
• periods
We regard this study as a pilot one however promising. The Community Wholistic Health
Center is in process of collecting data on specific health problems that can benefit from the
natural and free of adverse effects method of reflexo-therapy with mechanical skin stimulation.
Bibliography
1. Roman, J., Mechanical Skin Stimulation for Self-help Reflexo-therapy, Healself Network),
July 1997
2. Rubik, B. Can Western science provide a foundation for acupuncture? Alt. Ther. Health.
Med., Sep. 1995
3. Zilberter, T. Another theory for acupuncture is available. Alt. Ther. Health. Med., Apr. 1996
4. Chernavski, D., Karp, V.P., Rotshtdt, M., On Neurophysiological Mechanism of
Acupuncture Therapy, Publ. of Physical Instit. of Russian Acad. of Sci., 1991, No 150, pp. 2-50
5. Millan, M.J., A model of chronic pain in the rat: functional correlates of alterationsin the
activity of opioid systems., Journal of Neuroscience. 7(1) :77-87, 1987
6. Przewlocka, B. Sumova, A. Lason, W., The influence of conditioned fear-induced stress on
the opioid system in the rat., Pharmacology, Biochemistry & Behavior. 37(4) : 661-6, 1990
7. Van Leeuwen, A.F., Evans, R.G., Ludbrook, J. Haemodynamic responses to acute blood
loss : new roles for the heart, brain and endogenouse opioids.
8. Bjorntorp, P. Effects of physical training on blood pressure in hypertension. European
Heart Journal. 8 Suppl B :71-6, 1987
9. Han, J.S., Zhang, R.L. Suppression of morphine abstinence syndrome by body
electroacupuncture of different frequencies in rats. Drug & Alcohol
Dependence. 31 (2): 169-75, 1993
10. Agmo, A., Berebfeld, R. Reinforcing properties of ejaculation in the male rat : role of
opioids and dopamine. Behavioral Neuroscience. 104(1) 177-82, 1990
11. Grossman, A. Endorphins : " Opiates for the masses ". Medicine & Science in Sports &
Exercise. 17(1) :101-5, 1985 12. Shide, D.J., Blass, E.M.
12. Opioid mediation of odor preferences induced by sugar and fat in 6-day-old rats. Physiology
& behavior. 50(5) :961-6, 1991
13. Introini-Collison, I.B., Baratti, C.M. Opioid peptidergic system modulate the activity of
beta-adrenergic mechanisms during memory consolidation
processes. Behavioral & Neural Biology. 46(2) :227-41, 1986
14. Yenehara, N., Imai, Y., Chen, J.Q., Takiuchi, S., Inoki, R. Influence of opioids on substance
P release evoked by antidromic stimulation of primary afferent fibers in the hind instep of rats.
Regulatory Peptides. 38(1) ; 13-22, 1992
15. Kehoe, P., Blass, E.M. Behaviorally functional opioid system in infant rats: 11. Evidence
for pharmacological, physiological, and psychological mediation of pain and stress.
Behavioral Neuroscience. 100 (5) : 624-30, 1986
16. Bergmann, F. The role of andogenous opioid peptides in physiological and
pharmacological reward responses--a survey of present-day knowledge.
Israel Journal of Medical Sciences. 23(I-2) : 8-11, 1987
17. Thompson, M.L., Miczek, K.A., Noda, K., Shuster, L., Kumar, N.S. Analgesia in defeated
mice: evidence for mediation via central rather than
pituitary or adrenal endogenous opioid peptides. Pharmacology, Biochemistry & Behavior.
29(3); 451-6, 1988
18. Duggan, A.W. Pharmacology of descending control systems. Philosophical Transactions
of the Royal Sotiety of London- Series B: Biologycal
Sciences. 308(1136) :375-91, 1985
19. Sforzo, G.A. Opioids and exercise. An update. Sports Medicine. 7(2) :109-24, 1989
20. Luu, M., Boureau, F. Acupuncture in pain therapy : current concepts. Therapeutishe
Umschau. 46(8) : 518-25, 1989
21. Locatelli, A., Spotti, D., Caviezel, F. The regulation of insulin and glucogon secretion by
opiates: a study with naloxone in healthy humans. Acta
Diabetologica Latina. 22(1): 25-31, 1985
22. Thompson, D.L., Weltman, J.Y., Rogol, A.D., Metzger, D.L., Veldhuis, J.D., Weltman, A.
Cholinergic and opioid involvement in release of growth
hormone during exercise and recovery. Journal of Applied Physiology. 75(2) : 870-8, 1993
23. Schmauss, C., Emrich, H.M. Dopamine and the action of opiates: a reevaluation of the
dopamine hypothesis of schizophrenia. Biological Psychiatry.
20 (11) ;1211-31, 1985
24. Verhoeven, W.M., van Ree, J.M., Westenberg, H.G., Krul, J.M., Brouwer, G.J., Thijssen,
J.H., de Praag, H.M., Ceulemans, D.L., Kahn, R.S.
Clinical, biochemical, and hormonal aspects of treatment with Des-tyrl-gamma-endorphin in
schizophrenia. Psych. Res. 11(4) :329-46, 1984
25. Gil-Ad, I., Dickerman, Z., Amdursky, S., Laron, Z. Diurnal rhythm of plasma beta
endorphin, cortisol and growth hormone in schizophrenics as
compared to control subjects. Psychopharmacology. 88(4):496-9, 1986 26. Bajorek, J.G., Lee,
26. R.J., Lomax, P. Neuropeptides: anticonvulsant and
convulsant mechanisms in epileptic model system and in humans. Advances in Neurology.
44:489-500, 1986
27. Garris, P.A., Ben-Jonathan, N. Regulation of dopamine in vitro from the posterior pituitary
by opioid peptides. Neuroendocrinology. 52(4) : 399-404, 1990
28. Dmitriev, A.D., Kizim, E.A., Smirnova, M.B., Shcheglova, I.D., Ugolev, A.M. The
endorphins and the evolutionary hypotheses of the formation of
the mechanisms of the negative regulation of their synthesis. Zh. Evol. Bioch. Fiziol.. 27(6)
:701-11, 1991.
29. Morel, G., Pelletier, G. Endorphinic neurons are contacting the tuberoinfundibular
dopaminergic neurons in the rat brain. Peptides. 7(6) : 1197-9, 1986
30. Rosella-Dampman, L.M., Emmert, S.E., Keil, L.C., Summy-Long, J.Y. Differential effects
of naloxone on the release of neurohypophysial hormones
in normotensive and spontaneously hypertensive rats. Brain Research. 325(1-2) :205-14, 1985
31. Mosqueda-Garcia, R., Eskay, R., Zamir, N., Palkovits, M., Kunos, G. Opioid-mediated
cardiovascular effects of clonidine in spontaneously hypertensive rats: elimination by
neonatal treatment with monosodium glutamate. Endocrinology. 118(5) :1814-22, 1986
32. el-Tayeb, K.M., Brubaker, P.L., Cook, E., Vranic, M. Effect of opiate-receptor blockade on
normoglycemic and hypoglycemic glucoregulation.
American Journal of Physiology. 250 (3) Pt 1: E236-42, 1986
33. Chiodera, P., Coiro, V. Endogenous opioid mediation of somatostatin inhibition of arginine
vasopressin release evoked by insulin-induced
hypoglykemia in man. Journal of Neural Transmission-General Section. 83(1-2) : 121-6, 1991
34. Dooley, C.P., Saad, C., Valenzuela, J.E. Studies of the role of opioids in control of human
pancreatic secretion. Digestive Diseases & Sciences.
33(5) :598-604, 1988
35. Facchinetti, F., Martignoni, E., Sola, D., Petraglia, F., Nappi, G., Genazzani, A.R. Transient
failure of central opioid tonus and premenstrual
symptoms. J. Repr. Med., 33(7): 633-8, 1988
36. Facchinetti, F., Genazzani, A.D., Martignoni, E., Fiorini, L., Sances, G., Genazzani, A.R.
Neuroendocrine correlates of premenstrual syndrom:
changes in the pulsatile pattern of plasma LH. Psychoneuroendocrinology, 15(4):269-77, 1990
37. Kapas, L., Benedek, G., Penke, B. Cholecystokinin interferes with the thermoregulatory
effect of exogenous and endogenous opioids. Neuropeptides 14(2): 85-92, 1989
38. Tepper, R., Neri, A., Kaufman, H., Schoenfeld, A., Ovadia, J. Menopausal hot flushes and
plasma beta-endorphin. Obst. Gynecol. 70(2): 150-2, 1987
39. Rebar, R.W., Spitzer, I/B. The physiology and measurement of hot flushes. American Journal of
Obstetrics & Gynecology. 156(5) : 1284-8, 1987
40. Baranowska, B. Are disturbances in opioid and adrenergic system involved in the hormonal
dysfunction of anorexia nervosa?
Psychoneuroendocrinology. 15 (5-6): 371-9, 1990
41. Zilberter, T., Loukianova, L.L. Physiological properties of regulatory peptides, Ed.
Kamenski M.A., Moscow, VINITY, 1989.
42. Zilberter ,T., Titov, S.A., Loukianova, L.L Cascade effects of regulatory peptides, Ed.
Kamenski M.A., Moscow, VINITI, 1991
43. Pukov, V.N. Summaries of reports on clinical testing of Kuznetzov's "Applicator." personal
communication, Moscow, Russia, 1991. Courtesy of the "TERAPEVT" clinic.
Fig. 1: Effects of the Applicator
Fig. 2: Cascades of regulatory peptides triggered by beta-endorphin
