It is the discipline of acupuncture that interests us in this discussion. Out of a several millenia of clinical practice and empirical experience, arose a theoretical concept of energy relationships within the body and the distribution of energy among the organ systems of the body. Twelve meridians made up of many points mapped out on the surface of the skin of the human body were shown to be related to major organs systems within the body. The distribution of energy between the organ systems was observed to correspond to particular time periods of the day and night. It is aberrations in the natural flow of energy between the organ systems and in the meridians that was noted to be the cause of illness.

It was found that first applying pointed pressure and eventually needles onto/into particular points would balance the flow of energies between the organ systems. Thus arose a matrix of symptoms coupled with needle insertion into specific points on the organ system meridians for specific disease conditions. The fact that this conceptual system of treatment survives the millenia atests to the efficacy of this treatment methodology.

It was also found that the skin overlaying a particular area of the body, that contained in part the acupuncture points, is associated with a particular meridian and constitutes the projection of energy influence on that portion of the skin. This expanse of skin is then the cutaneous connection with the internal organ the meridian is associated with. Thus we have on the surface of the skin a direct relationship with a particular flow of energy and an internal organ. This direct correspondence between wide skin expanses, the meridian channels and the internal organs of the body is a key element of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) diagnosis and treatment. The reason for this is that it was noticed that the cutaneous expanse of a particular meridian reflected the pathologies of the corresponding internal organ. The influence of each of the 12 channels is not confined to a narrow strip of skin but instead, as stated, spreads over a broad area around the channel. Thus, every part of the body is in fact covered by skin directly influenced by a given channel and indirectly by an internal organ. Therefore, the pathology of a relevant channel may be manifested on the particular corresponding cutaneous expanse according to the constitution of the person. This may include such symptoms as discoloration, pain, skin rashes, veins & veinules and muscle contractions & tendon tightness beneath the skin. As the constitution of each person is different, it is the particular set of signs and symptoms that is the basis of treatment applied.

It is difficult to determine the exact origins of bioelectromagnetic medicine in the west. Early work spoke of an 'Elan Vital' which was built upon ideas obtained from the Greeks and Egyptians that had contact with India. The concepts of Astrology, Chakras, Bioelectromagnetic Energies and early electricity theory seems to get blended a bit. As the scientific method became a standard for research efforts, left brain techniques soon dominated right brain philosophy. Workers in Europe and the Americas came to grips with the revolutionary concepts of the late 19th and early 20th Centuries. Due to the political machinations of the American Medical Association, bioelectromagnetic medicine in the USA became Quackery. Fortunately, in Europe this was not the case. Many workers in various countries discovered that the body has energies that resonate at detectable frequencies.

In Germany, Dr. Reinhold Voll, M.D. discovered that he could stimulate, with very low current and voltages, points on the meridians of acupuncture and alleviate acute and chronic symptoms of disease. He also confirmed the 8 extra meridians of Acupuncture. His techniques became known as "Electro-Acupuncture According to Dr Voll" or EAV. His techniques are now the standard for all treatment and research in bioelectromagnetic medicine.

Western Medicine has known about the concept of areas on the skin surface that seem to be tied to internal organ systems. This concept is known as dermatomes, literally "skin-leaves". Perhaps the best known dermatome is the one associated with heart attacks, the left shoulder and arm. Referred pain to the left shoulder and arm are indicative of a heart attack. As it turns out, all the organ systems of the body have projection for referred pain onto areas of the skin. These areas have been mapped out. These areas on the dermatomes are thus known and are the areas for SCENAR and DENAS treatment of internal organ systems.

Dermatomes are also mapped on specific areas of the skin of the human body in accordance with the sensory input to the Central Nervous System (CNS). The spinal cord, as part of the CNS, has out-flow and in-flow as Spinal Nerves (SN) that arise between every vertebra and from the sacrum. Thus, the specific areas on the skin that project to a particular SN as in-flow can be known by simple kinesthetic sensory testing. Interestingly enough, the out-flow by the same SN supplies motor projections to roughly the same area as the sensory in-flow. This motor out-flow goes to smooth muscle in arterioles, erector pili muscles of hair follicles and sweat glands.

C-fibres have the highest threshold of excitement and correspond to approximately 85% of all nerves within the body. They are involved in the production and distribution of neuropeptides (NPs) and other known regulatory peptides (RPs). The SCENAR, with its high current amplitude impulse, activates more C-fibres than other electrotherapy modalities. Stimulation of C-fibres causes a release of RPs, NPs, endorphins, etc. It is this physiological release, which has been confirmed using blood biochemistry, that SCENAR aims to trigger and which makes it such an effective modality. There are known to be high densities of opioid receptors pre-synaptically on the intraspinal part of afferent C-nerve fibres. Release of natural opioids reinforces the pain damping mechanisms. Controlled trials in Russia on fracture cases and cancer patients found that SCENAR treatment gives more profound pain relief than administered opiates and can potentiate opiate medication.

NPs have been found to be the fourth most numerous group of neuromediators. Their action in both the peripheral and central nervous systems has become ever increasingly recognized. They are responsible as a group for a wide range of regulatory processes. In-depth studies of NPs always lead to the discovery of their action on genome activity. However, these processes within the body are often under the influence of more than one NP and various NPs are involved in more than one regulatory process, together with other humoral regulators. These functions include the induction of the release of other NPs. This complexity of regulation can only be co-ordinated by the body itself. The body is so finely tuned that excessive influences of any form, either physical or energetic, can make the ‘normal’ condition difficult to re-establish. It is very important to use only the minimum action necessary to start the body’s own rebalancing process such that the pathological state moves into the physiological state.

NPs are also peculiar in that they persist significantly longer (from tens of minutes for short-chain peptides to tens of hours for long-chain peptides) than other neurotransmitters such as acetyl-choline (0.02 seconds). This, combined with the fact that NPs degenerate down a cascade of biologically active compounds, explains the observations with SCENAR where effects are long-lasting and can improve not only the imbalance being addressed, but also distant problems. This phenomenon is seen in seemingly unrelated parts of the body sometimes weeks after an initial course of treatment. NPs have been located in all parts of the central and peripheral nervous system, both somatic and autonomic.

The SCENAR and DENAS devices are intended for use to influence the Acupuncture zones by non-intrusive means. These devices interface with the controlling systems of the body by using the same language as the body with the help of neuron-like low frequency direct current pulse with feedback attenuation. These devices provide generalized self regulation of physiological systems of the human body as well as treating functional disturbances due to a wide range of pathological states.