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78 m a s s a g e & b o d y w o r k m a r c h / a p r i l 2 0 1 6 uptake and protein synthesis. It would then seem logical that by providing an abundance of electrons, grounding the body would enhance ATP production. In introducing their work, Cheng and colleagues summarized the processes that benefi t from introducing electrons into organisms. These processes include bone growth, inhibition of bacterial growth, plant growth, stimulation of tissue repair, surgical wound healing, and treatment of ulcers. 7 Electron loss can also cause your immune system to malfunction and dramatically increase your predisposition to acute or chronic disorders and the effects of aging. Fortunately, such losses appear to be readily preventable through grounding. ELECTRONS AND INFLAMMATION To further understand the role of electrons in all this, let's examine the concept of infl ammation for a moment. Medicine defi nes infl ammation as a localized response to trauma or infection that can wall off damaged tissues until the immune system removes foreign matter, damaged cells, and/or bacteria. When the infl ammatory response does not completely wind down, palpable Electrons are vital to your energy. Among other things, they play a central role in mitochondria's generation of energy in the form of adenosine triphosphate (ATP). ATP is the energy currency of the body and powers digestion, excretion, muscle contraction, nerve conduction, and virtually every other physiological process, including all of the cellular processes involved in injury repair: amino acid uptake, immune cell migrations, protein synthesis, and tissue regeneration. "Giving up" your electrons to your clients during treatments may help them feel better, but can also leave you with less "juice" to make it through a strenuous day, and life in general. A study done on rat skin by N. Cheng and colleagues at the University of Louvain in Belgium found that adding electrons to rat skin increased ATP production three to fi ve times, while also stimulating amino acid How to Get Grounded A simple grounding pad placed on the treatment table can prevent the draining of electrons from the therapist. The pad is connected via a wire to the grounding terminal of a wall outlet. A sheet can be placed on the pad. Soon after the client lies down, perspiration creates a conductive pathway through the sheet to the pad and, from there, to the ground. Any infl amed areas will draw electrons from the ground rather than from the therapist. Moreover, the therapist becomes grounded every time he or she makes hand contact with the client. For more information about how to obtain a grounding pad for use on massage and bodywork tables, visit www.groundedbeauty.com. There are many ways therapists can ground themselves if they feel depleted or "toxic" after working with a client with a lot of infl ammation, but use of the grounding pad will prevent this from happening in the fi rst place. Hand washing in cold running water is often recommended. Water comes through metal pipes in the ground, so hand washing or taking a shower will partially ground you. Satisfi ed clients can continue their grounding experience after a treatment by using various methods that bring the benefi ts of grounding into their homes. 3 Fashionable and comfortable grounding shoes are also available. 4 infl ammation is literally draining electrons from the therapist working on them. We know this because infl ammation and the infl ammatory response are the origin of all pain. 5 And medical thermographic imaging shows rapid resolution of infl ammation as electrons fl ood into injured tissues. 6 These electrons can be drawn from any source: from the earth or from someone who is touching them. Examples of grounding shoes. These shoes have a conductive plug at Kidney 1. 4