Surface Acupuncture Point Electrical Treatment With SSP Electrodes
Masayoshi HYODO and Toshikatsu KITADE
Department of Anaesthesiology,
Osaka Medical College, Takatsuki City, Osaka, Japan

INTRODUCTION

In 1979, the knowledge of acupuncture anesthesia techniques, which originated in China, spread throughout the world.  At the present time, nobody denies the efficiency of acupuncture anesthesia, the confirmation of which has come from over 400 experiences of surgical operations in our department.  However, considering the great individual differences in analgesia effect for surgical manipulations, it has not been possible, other than in China, to set a standardised anesthesia method.  Since the technique has been so ameliorated as to even eliminate the pain due to surgical manipulations, many types of severe unbearable pain may also be removed.  The low frequency current stimulation of a needle left in place during the treatment was a new type of analgesic technique.  A new aspect of this technique has also been developed in Japan.

In chronic pain cases, however, it is impossible to leave a needle inserted in the patient for a long period, expecting a long lasting effect.  For this reason, we searched for another technique using low frequency current stimulation, as in acupuncture anesthesia, only using surface electrodes instead of needles.

At first we experimented on two types of electrodes that we had designed: hydrophile electrodes shaped like small concave discs, and electricity conducting rubber electrodes.  We could not obtain good results.  Then in 1976, we developed the Silver Spike Point (SSP) electrodes.  The electrodes are made of metal and are shaped like a cone with its base turned up.  The cone surface is plated with silver in order to obtain a better electrical conductivity.  Low frequency electric current which is used for acupuncture, is conducted through a cylindrical protrusion.  The voltage must be more elevated than that used for needles, because the electrical resistance of the skin is high.  We first made a pilot study using these electrodes.  We applied this technique for the treatment of patients suffering from various types of ailments.  When comparing the results with those of normal flat electrodes, we noticed superior efficiency.  In order to demonstrate experimentally whether the analgesic effects of the SSP electrodes treatment were really close to those of acupuncture anesthesia, we started a fundamental study on pain threshold.

Pain threshold can be measured from various types of stimulation:
1)    mechanical stimulation
2)    chemical stimulation
3)    electrical stimulation
4)    heat stimulation

Whichever kind of stimulation we used, each type will determine only one specific aspect of pain.  This is the reason why we proceeded to a series of experiments based on each type of stimulation.  We conducted the experiments on five healthy young adult male volunteers.  On each of them we experimented with 1) needle electrodes, 2) SSP electrodes 3) rubber electrodes (small concave discs 1cm in diameter).  We compared the percentages of the pain threshold rise resulting from the 3 kinds of electrodes.  Each experiment was carried out for 50 minutes.  Low frequency current was conducted bilaterally on Hoku acupuncture point through each electrode.

1) Mechanical stimulation:
The stimulation was given by means of a spring coiled algometer.  The maximum intensity of the stimulation corresponded to the volunteer's tolerance threshold.  Results show that the highest rise in pain threshold corresponds to the use of needle electrodes; then, the use of SSP electrodes and last, the use of rubber electrodes. (Fig 1)
 
 

2)     Chemical Stimulation

The stimulation was given by means of a K ionic solution dialysis.  A piece of cotton was humidified in this solution and then fixed on the skin of the volunteer.  The amount of the dialysis, depending on the current intensity, corresponded to the degree of pain.  In this experiment, the highest pain threshold rise was obtained with the use of SSP electrodes, the next highest being the use of needle electrodes.  The lowest rise corresponded to the use of rubber electrodes. (Fig 2)

3)     Electrical Stimulation

A low frequency current of 100Hz rectangular impulse is conducted to a healthy tooth pulp.  The pain threshold is determined according to the intensity of the electricity.  Results show that the highest rise in pain threshold was obtained with the use of the SSP electrodes throughout the experiment (Fig 3).

4)    Heat Stimulation

We used a radiant heat algometer based on the HARDY type, modified by NAKAHAMA.  The selected point for measuring pain threshold for this experiment was located in the middle of the forearm on the anterior side.  We recorded the time taken until the predetermined radiant heat provoked an unbearable pain sensation.  In this experiment, we did not notice clear differences between the respective rises in pain threshold, whatever the type of electrode used.  From the compilation of the experimental results, we came to the conclusion that SSP electrodes obtained an effect close to that of the needle electrodes and superior to that of plate electrodes.  The higher the pain threshold, the more effective the anesthesia or analgesia is (Fig 4).

Next, we experimented whether or not the increased pain threshold due to the use of the SSP electrodes could be reversed with Naloxone.  In one example, the increased pain threshold in a 44 year old female under acupuncture anesthesia, was decreased by the administration of Naloxone.  In another example, the same finding was observed in a 67 year old female under SSP anesthesia (Fig 5).

This means that endorphins are secreted by SSP as well as by acupuncture.

The dose of beta-endorphin in cerebrospinal fluid during acupuncture and SSP anesthesia was measured in 3 cases.  Cerebrospinal fluids were taken through continuous lumbar puncture needle before, during and after anesthesia.

Endorphin increased certainly in some cases, but the increased levels differ individually (Fig 6).

Later on, we proceded to a comparative clinical study on the respective analgesic effect of three kinds of electrodes: needle electrodes, SSP electrodes and plate electrodes.

This study was conducted on the patients of the Pain Clinic at Osaka Medical College where a number of various pain cases were treated.  Careful selection of the acupuncture points was determined in relation to the symptoms or ailments.  Low frequency current was conducted for twenty minutes.  After the treatment, the patients were asked their opinions as to the degree of the analgesic effect achieved.  66.3% of the patients treated with needle electrodes and 48.7% of those treated with SSP electrodes reported Good to Excellent analgesic effects.  However, regarding these two types of electrode treatment, the difference between the figures becomes much smaller when we compare the overall percentage of patients who claimed Fair to Excellent analgesic effects from each of the other treatments.

On the other hand, 32.4% of the patients treated with plate electrodes reported Good to Excellent analgesic effects with far more claims in the range of Good and very few in the range of Excellent(Fig 7).

From the compilation of the clinical results, we came to the conclusion that, in the case of a frequency treatment, SSP electrodes obtain an effect slightly inferior to that of needle electrodes and superior to that of plate electrodes.

We have also evaluated the anesthetic effect of SSP electrodes in dental surgery.

For tooth extraction, no supplementary anesthetic drugs were necessitated in 15 cases out of 22 cases.  The results were superior to that anesthetised with acupuncture.

We believe that the greatest advantage of acupuncture anesthesia exists in the post-operative stage.  Pain is slight, inflammation does not severely occur and wounds heal promptly.  These advantages are never eliminated, even if local or general anesthesia is applied together.

In plastic surgery, for instance, excessive edema is one of the main problems.  Usually edema can be most prominently observed in the 2nd post-operative day.  In the first case shown below SSP anesthesia was combined with local anesthesia, edema is hardly observed.  Clear difference is noticed netween the two cases shown below.

The same results can be observed wherever the operating fields on the body are.

In conclusion, SSP treatment has a similar efficiency with acupuncture treatment.  This treatment gives numerous advantages: no needle insertion, no risk of infection, no risk of possible needle rupture, no fear from the patient, patients can even exercise during the treatment.  We can expect excellent results in the clinical application of this treatment method.

Masayoshi HYODO and Toshikatsu KITADE, Surface Acupuncture Point Electrical Treatment With SSP Electrodes,
in; Recent Advances on Acupuncture Treatment, Pain Clinic, Department of Anaesthesiology,
Osaka Medical College, Takatsuki City, Osaka, Japan, 1980

Reproduced with permission from Nihon Medix, Japan.
 
 

FURTHER RESEARCH
 
 

SSP medical Equipment is now available in Australia and New Zealand
through the exclusive importer/distributor Everbest Australia.
SSP Therapy has been in use at Harmony Chinese Medical Centre in Melbourne for almost two years.
It  is one of a growing number of Australian Clinics successfully using this innovative treatment.

Contact:

Sales Manager: Elizabeth Drofenik

at

EVERBEST AUSTRALIA PTY LTD

PO Box 2367,
Kew Australia 3101

Phone:
Local: (03) 9853 5577
International: 61 3 9853 5577

Fax:
Local: (03) 9853 7388
International: 61 3 9853 7388

Email: everbest@bigpond.com.au
 
 

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