SILVER SPIKE POINT (SSP) Low Frequency Electrotherapy is one of the most advanced forms of low frequency electrical stimulation available in the world today. State-of-the-art S.S.P. equipment  imported by Everbest Australia is manufactured by Nihon Medix Company Limited, one of Japan’s leading medical instrument manufacturers.

S.S.P. therapy, also known as Needle Free Acupuncture, was developed in Japan in 1976 following a joint academic / industrial study between Osaka Medical College (Department of Anesthesiology) and Nihon Medix Company Limited.  Research conducted to simulate acupuncture anesthesia without needle electrodes found that low frequency electrical stimulation using S.S.P. electrodes provided effective, non-invasive pain relief for a wide range of medical conditions.  The significant benefit to patients and medical practitioners is that S.S.P. therapy is a straightforward procedure, free from side effects and with no limit to the number of treatments that can be given.

Nihon Medix Company Ltd. has continued to lead the industry with highly advanced medical technology, including low frequency electrical therapy equipment.  The distinguishing features of S.S.P. therapy are S.S.P. electrodes, and “1/f yuragi” frequency fluctuation, patented in Japan and the United States of America.

S.S.P. Electrodes

The S.S.P. electrodes used in S.S.P therapy are uniquely designed to enable medical practitioners to achieve results comparable with needle electro-acupuncture while eliminating the many disadvantages associated with needle usage. Significantly, medical practitioners may successfully utilize S.S.P. therapy without the requirement of extensive acupuncture training or acupuncture qualifications.

The ingenuously designed S.S.P. electrodes enable both deep and peripheral stimulation to a wide range of treatment points on the body.
 
 

Scientific Foundations

Clinical studies by Osaka Medical College, anesthesiology department, have shown S.S.P. therapy to have similar or superior efficacy compared with electrical acupuncture using needles. S.S.P. therapy was shown to be especially effective for C.Fibre related inflammatory type pain, as well as for pain due to pathological conditions.

Measured values for pain threshold increases using an algometer on the forehead, are mainly indicative of the pain derived from stimulation of C. Fibres from the Periostium.  When compared with needle electrodes S.S.P. obtains 60% analgesic effect and T.E.N.S. obtains 30% effect (Fig 1).

Measured values for the pain threshold increases using potassium dialysis to induce pain similar to pathological inflammation. S.S.P. is shown to be superior to both needle and T.E.N.S electrodes (Fig 2).

Ref: Professor M.Hyodo,  Surface Acupuncture Point Electrical Treatment with SSP Electrodes, in Recent Advances on Acupuncture Treatment, of Anesthesiology Department, Osaka Medical University, Japan.
 
 

Waveform and Frequency

The waveform and frequency used in S.S.P. therapy is the same as that used in electro-acupuncture anesthesia.  Spike waves and bi-directional symmetrical waveforms ensure that stimulation is very comfortable, moreover there is no restriction as to where paired electrodes may be attached to the body.

1/f yuragi

Nihon Medix pioneered the introduction of “1/f yuragi” fluctuated irregular pulse stimulation into low frequency electrical therapy. Research by the University of Tokyo (Department of Neurosurgery) and Tokyo Institute of Technology showed “1/f yuragi” is effective for dealing with difficult-to-treat pain.  Clinical trials have shown marked benefits in S.S.P. electrically stimulated pain relief which harmonize with a “1/f yuragi” fluctuation pattern when compared with regular electrical stimulation.

Classical music and 1/f fluctuation

Analysis of wave patterns in classical music, as well as in popular songs, is shown in Fig 3.  Frequency is inversely proportional to the power, a relationship that creates 1/f fluctuation. The constant, rusty noise of a TV after broadcasting ends is displeasing. On the contrary, wave patterns that are most soothing conform to the 1/f fluctuation. The sounds created by classical music following a 1/f fluctuation pattern are especially soothing to our ears.

Waves of electroencephalogram and 1/f fluctuation

Analysis of the relationship between alpha rhythm and electrically stimulated pain relief is shown in Fig 4, in an electroencephalogram taken at rest. The alpha rhythm in the electroencephalogram coincides with 1/f fluctuation pattern when relaxed i.e. listening to music. The introduction of pain, while in this state, reduces alpha rhythms, while increasing beta rhythms, thus causing a shift from the 1/f fluctuation to 1/f ‘ fluctuation or white noise.
 
 

Fig 3. Analysis of wave patterns in classical music, as well as in popular songs                            Fig 4. Analysis of the relationship between alpha rhythm
                                                                                                                                                and electrically stimulated pain relief
 

Effectiveness of 1/f stimulation treatment

The results of treatment by ordinary electric stimulation and 1/f electrical stimulation are shown in the Table 1.  Electrical stimulation was applied for 30 minutes and the degree of pain reduction attributed to the treatment was evaluated. The original pain level was established as a reference level of 10. In 7% of the cases, pain almost entirely disappeared (i.e. pain level was reduced to 0-3), by ordinary electrical stimulation. In addition, 28% reported some relief of pain. The combined results show about 35% of patients were satisfied with the ordinary electrical treatment. When treated by 1/f electrical stimulation, 30% of patients reported their pain was almost entirely gone, while about 40% felt their pain was reduced by half. A total of 70% of patients were thus satisfied with 1/f electrical stimulation.
 
 

Mechanisms of S.S.P. Therapy

S.S.P. therapy has been proven by many studies to have the following effects:
(1) Gate control theory
(2) Peripheral nerve shutoff effect
(3) Analgesic effect resulting from the secretion of suppressants.

Clinical trials have shown S.S.P. low frequency electrical stimulation to facilitate the discharge of endorphins (morphine like substances), as does traditional acupuncture.
 
 

When Naloxone, an opium
antagonist,    is administered
during S.S.P. treatment
there is a marked decrease
in the pain threshold showing
a  reverse  in  the analgesic
effect  of  S.S.P. stimulation.
 

S.S.P. Therapy in Practice

S.S.P. low frequency electrical therapy has been used since 1976 at Japan’s Osaka Medical College’s Pain Clinic, where it is being used successfully in a wide range of surgical procedures as well as pre-operatively and post-operatively.  Currently over 40,000 S.S.P. instruments are being used in Medical Institutions, University Hospitals and Pain Clinics around the world. This figure is set to increase as the worldwide demand for non-invasive medical therapies continues to grow.
 
 

S.S.P. stimulation can be used in conjunction with additional therapies, including infrared thermotherapy.  During physical rehabilitation, areas can be stimulated using S.S.P. therapy and exercised simultaneously.
 
 

Treatment points

*Acupuncture Points        *Neurological Points        *Ryodoraku Points        *Reflexive Points
*Tender Points        *Contra-lateral Points        *Nerve block points        *Motor Points
 

Harmony in Irregularity

“The motive behind introducing the 1/f fluctuation into electrophysiological treatment is based on the idea that all physiological phenomena of organisms exist for the sole purpose of maintaining homeostasis.  Regular stimulus often lacks harmony and correction of an imbalance often becomes the cause of another imbalance.  For an organism to maintain its life and to remain in the most comfortable state with maximum physiological harmony, a well-balanced stimulus is indispensable.  In an effort to improve complicated physiological mechanism such as pain, harmony-in-irregularity has proven especially important.”

Professor Kintomo Takakura, Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation for Relieving Pain: Physiological significance of the 1/f frequency fluctuation. Department of Neurosurgery, Tokyo University, Japan
 
 

Studies have shown S.S.P. therapy to be effective in the following:

Treatment of Pain
Treatment of Peripheral Paralysis
Treatment of Post-operative Pain
Pain Alleviation during Rehabilitation Massage
Vascular Disorders
Neurological Disorders;
headache, hypertonic muscles, intercostal neuralgia and sciatica.  S.S.P. reduces muscle spasm and accelerates the therapeutic reflexive response.
Autonomic Nervous Disorders;
constipation, insomnia.
Orthopedics;
whiplash, shoulder/hand injury, sprains, Achilles tendon, lumbago, arthralgia, tendosynovitis.  Treatment of protracted bone fractures enhances callous formation.
Internal Medicine;
bronchitis, anorexia, indigestion, bowel disturbance
Gynecology;
dysmennorrhea, menstrual pain, uterus prolapse, endometriosis
Pediatrics;
hypersensitivity, insomnia (nightmares)
Dentistry;
surgery, toothache, pyorrhea.
Other;
eye strain, facial paralysis.

Benefits of Needle-free Acupuncture
(Patient and Practitioner)

*Pain Free   *Needle Free   *Non Invasive   *No Danger of Infection or Contagion   *Simple and Straight Forward Technique

*Free From Complications   *Suitable for Many People Including Hypersensitive Patients, Children and the Elderly   *Opportunity

of Applying Additional Therapy Techniques at the Same Time, Including Infrared Treatment   *Wide Range of Points Can Be

Stimulated   *Front and Back of Torso can be Stimulated Concurrently   *Eliminates the Time Consuming Practice of Needling

*Speedy, Safe, Drug Free Pain Relief   *Used to Treat a Wide Range of Disorders    *SSP Therapy Provides Lasting Results for

Patients   *Safe and Reliable    *Liscensed and Approved by TGA
 
 

SSP Therapy in Practice in:

Asia

Traditional Chinese Medicine including Acupuncture theory has a history of over 5,000 years. The concept of electrically stimulated acupuncture however is a relatively new one. Studies undertaken across Asia since 1971 have allowed continual improvements in electro-acupuncture methods leading to the eventual development of needle-free SSP Therapy. This therapy combines TENS theory with traditional Acupuncture to provide an effective treatment of chronic and acute pain without any adverse side effects.

Hospitals across Asia use SSP Therapy in their daily treatment of pain. Any pain resulting from injury is successfully treated as a matter of course.
SSP Therapy is also used regularly pre, during and post surgery for both treatment of pain and as an anaesthetic.
Studies have shown remarkable recovery rates when SSP is used post operatively.
Plastic Surgery patients recover in half the expected time with SSP treatment post operatively.
Intractable pain diseases like post-herpetic neuralgia have been treated with over 70% improvement in pain recorded.
Dental analgesia and anaesthesia is regularly achieved with SSP Therapy.
 
 

Australia

SSP Therapy has been used at Harmony Chinese Medical Centre in Kew Victoria for the past fifteen months.
Excellent results have been achieved in the treatment of pain and disease, treating many chronic patients, whom conventional medicine has been unable to help.
Patients have been extremely happy with SSP Therapy due to its simplicity of use and comfort.
The results however, are the ultimate testimony to this revolutionary treatment.
Patients have been amazed and extremely grateful, at the improvements (often total) of their condition.
 
 

“Silver Spike Point" is a registered trademark of Nihon Medix, and S.S.P. is its acronym.  S.S.P. electrodes can only be used with the S.S.P. therapy equipment exclusively developed for that purpose.  The patent and new utility rights for “1/f yuragi” concerning its use in the stimulation of a living body are owned by Iyou Kougaku Laboratory, and are licensed to Nihon Medix.

Patents:                                                     Registration Number No. 1062833
                                                                Registration Number No. 1073418
Utility Model:                                            Registration Number No. 1442691
 
 

HERBAL EXTRACTS / TO PRACTITIONERS / THE HEALING PROCESS / SCIENCE MEETS TRADITION / THE MANUFACTURER / HERB LIST /COMBINATION MEDICINES/ ACUPUNCTURE METHODS / SILVER SPIKE POINT THERAPY / SSP RESEARCH /  INTERFERENTIAL THERAPY / INFRARED RAY APPARATUS