Phoenix, AZ- Integrative scientists working at the University of Arizona held a press conference today to announce the discovery of an animal model for the condition known as electromagnetic hypersensitivity.
Unable to leave her specially constructed metal housing unit for fear of feeling tired or suffering from muscle aches, Mitty Bolton has spent the past five years waiting for news like this. "I just can't believe that they did it," the 43-year-old cat owner explained with the use of two cans connected by a string while completely covered in magnetic shielding foil. "My dream is to one day be able to turn my electricity back on and reconnect with the world. You know, go buy a book at Borders or catch an Amy Winehouse concert."
The integrative research team at the University of Arizona, composed of a crack team of chiropractors, acupuncturists and naturopaths, are optimistic. “This is the kind of scientific breakthrough that truly might lead to a cure for patients suffering from this debilitating illness,” lead integrative researcher Belt McCummings explained. “Now the hard part of working out the pathophysiology and response to various therapies can begin.”
Electromagnetic hypersensitivity is a condition caused by the exposure to electromagnetic fields (EMF) in sensitive individuals, and is thought to affect about 5% of the population. EMF can be found around anything powered by electricity, and in particular is concentrated in areas with wireless internet, cell phones and baby monitors. According to Dr. McCummings, patients typically complain of a wide variety of symptoms, such as fatigue, sluggish thinking, feeling stressed or depressed, poor sleep, prickling or burning sensations, unexplained aches and pains and many other non-specific health problems.
Until now, complementary and alternative scientists have been forced to study the disease in patients, many of which have been unable to pay in cash. A suitable animal model, just like those often used by "western" medical researchers to help investigate emergencies like broken bones and severed limbs, which is all that stuff is good for anyway, has long been sought after. One has finally been found, and in a very unlikely place: Burbank. Just sitting right there this whole time.
There is no reliable diagnostic test or cure, but a long and diverse list of of therapies have shown promise. Avoidance of EMF altogether, or at least the placement of special shielding in the home, is commonly attempted but difficult and expensive. Acupuncture, chiropractic and dietary changes are popular with many patients but none have stood out as a definitive cure. Psychiatric therapy and even pharmacologic interventions have also been tried but they are unnatural and gross.
Dr. McCummings, who in addition to his work as an integrative researcher is also a practicing doctor of Naturopathy, always keeps an open mind. “Integrative research is full of surprises. Like how the animal model for electromagnetic hypersensitivity is so similar to the one for so many of the other conditions that I treat. But what could the connection between Wi-Fi allergy, chronic Lyme disease, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome and Wilson's temperature syndrome be?”
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