Bone Deformation
(The Electromagnetic Properties of Bone)

Bone is a vascular, constantly remodeling, mineralized connective tissue despite its stonelike appearance. Axial
forces applied to bone changes its shape (deform). The amount of deformation is dependent on the bending
moment and axial loads placed on the vertebrae. Abnormal posture causes asymmetrical (uneven) axial loading.
When axial loads are not parallel with the material direction, the asymmetrical forces cause polarization and
stress-generated potentials. A moving current is formed which results in an electrical magnetic field.

Wolff's Law - Stress-Generated Potentials
It was recognized as early as 1638 (Galileo) that there was a proportional relationship of applied force and/or
pressure to skeletal mass, as in the case of exercise. In 1896 the relationship of bone growth to pressure was
defined as Wolff's Law. "The form of a bone being given, the bone elements place or displace themselves in the
direction of the functional pressure and increase of decrease their mass to reflect the amount of pressure." This law
states that bone will remodel to stress placed upon it. Question: Are bone pathologies such as DJD, lipping,
spurring, bone tumors, etc. idiopathic or are they a direct result of asymmetrical loads and mechanical stress?

Osseous Transducers - Piezoelectricity and Streaming Potentials
Abnormal posture causes mechanical force to be transformed into electrical energy. It is now evident that
mechanical energy is being transduced into electrical energy to direct and maintain the organization of cellular life.
After the first bone deformation studies (Fukada and Yasuda, 1957), it was proposed in 1962 that the
stress-induced bioelectric potentials were the command signal in the operation of Wolff's Law and these command
signals control bone cell activity.

Piezoelectricity is best described as "pressure electricity." A charge separation occurs on bone under an applied
load. Bone is a piezoelectrical material which has the property of electric polarization under an applied load. There
is a reciprocal relationship of bone mechanically distorting in the presence of an electrical field. Under applied
physical stress there is bond distortion at the molecular level which produces a dipole moment and results in an
electric field inside the bone. The side of tension develops electropositivity and the side of compression,
electronegativity. The greater charge potential is measured at the apex of the curve. It is at the apex that the most
remodeling takes place. Osteoblastic (bone growth) activity responds to the electronegativity while osteoclastic
(bone degeneration) activity responds to the electropositivity.

Streaming potentials occur when movement of fluid through transverse pores in bone produces electrical current.
When bone is loaded at both ends ultramicroscopic pores are compressed at the concave surface. The fluids forced
from bone under these conditions are positively charged. The charge in streaming potentials is similar to that of
piezoelectricity, electronegative on the concavity/compressed side, and electropositive on the convex/tense side.

Results:
Stress- generated potentials are caused by unbalanced stress. It is now obvious that osteophytes, lipping, spurring,
fusion of facets, etc. are a direct result of abnormal stresses placed on vertebrae causing negative and positive
surfaces to develop with the associated osteoblastic and osteoclastic activity. (SN: Calcium has a positive charge
and is attracted to electronegative charges resulting in bone formation, usually in the form of bone spurs).

The structural function of bone is to resist axial force and bending moments. Axial forces and bending moments are
functions of time. Therefore, bone remodels to asymmetrical stress as a function of time. In other words, the amount
of remodeling is proportional to the length of time the vertebrae are subjected to the abnormal load.

A primary stress system dictates that the stress and bone material are parallel. Collagen fibers run vertical in bone
as does axial loading. When abnormal translations and rotations are present in the spine the collagen fibers and
axial loading are no longer parallel and a secondary stress system occurs . . . piezoelectricity and streaming
potentials. Therefore bone remodeling is necessary.

The electrical values that are measured from bone under asymmetric stress, and the electrical values that are used
to promote bony unions are within the same range of frequencies that cause electrical nerve interference. The
electromagnetic fields that are produced in bone deformation are in the frequency range of 1-72 Hz. Electric nerve
interference occurs between 0.5-75 Hz.  This can effect spinal nerve roots exiting the spine, and possibly the
sympathetic chain ganglia which runs down both lateral aspects of the spine.

Conclusion
Any and all abnormal postures cause asymmetrical loading, increasing electrical activity in bone. All abnormal  
rotations and translations including the common military neck or straight cervical curve have a vast increase in bone
deformation and degeneration. Having learned and applied the scientific principles of stress, strain, deformation,
piezoelectricity, and streaming potentials; Dr. Haralambous is confident that he is doing what is best for his patients,
removing nerve interference and preventing arthritic and other degenerative changes in the spine.

Spinal Cord and Brain Stem Tension   Bone Deformation
Restricted Blood Flow   Nerve Root Compression