Percussion chemistry and muscle function
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Updated: Sep 29, 2026

Assessment of Neuromuscular Function Using Percutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation
Published on: September 13, 2015
Abstract:
A hypothesis is presented concerning the origin of the action of muscles in the human and animal bodies It is advanced that muscle action originates with very rapid chemical reactions known as percussion reactions. These give rise to the temporary precipitation of solids in muscle cells. The accompanying volume change gives rise to muscle contraction. The redissolving of these solids restarts the cycle. The percussion reaction also gives rise to percussion waves which travel along nerve fibres to cells in the brain and activate percussion reactions in the connected brain cells. The reverse also occurs and indicates the means whereby brain cells induce muscular action. It is shown that this mechanism is compatible with observations of muscle action.
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