Early Discoveries

The first documented use of neurostimulation for pain relief occurred in Greece around 63 ad. It was reported by Scribonius Largus that pain from gout was largely relieved by standing on a torpedo fish (Fig. 1-1), and recommended this treatment for pain in general. He said,

Fig. 1-1 Torpedo fish used for early treatment methods.

In 1771 Luigi Galvani, an Italian physician and physicist, discovered that the leg muscles of a frog twitched when electricity was applied, thereby effectively debuting the study of bioelectricity.² Gilbert, a famous 17th century scientist, described the relationship of electromagnetism to pain symptom management on his discovery that a piece of magnetic iron ore could be used in the treatment of headaches, mental disorders, and marital infidelity.³

In the years following Gilbert’s work, a method of harnessing electrical current was invented that would allow for the development of modern therapies. This device was called the Leyden jar (Fig. 1-2). This device was constructed by placing water in a metal container and placing brass wire through a cork top into the water. In 1746, using a Leyden jar, Jean Jallabert discovered the ability to use electricity to stimulate muscle fibers. Jallabert treated a paralyzed limb by causing involuntary contractions leading to regeneration of muscle and increased blood flow.⁴ This success led many others in the field to pursue similar methods of treatment.

Fig. 1-2 The Leyden jar.