Posted by John Graham on March 25, 1999 at 03:58:18:
In Reply to: Re: Anyone used APS for CH? posted by Allie on March 24, 1999 at 13:24:47:
APS dosn't work on the muscles but on the nervous system itself. Also effects the chemicals the brain puts out. The main emphasis has been on pain reduction for arthritis and injuries etc. I have had one 8 min session. All one feels is a slight 'itch' at the electrode point. The device was invented here in South Africa, so we have heard a lot about it. There are lots of testimonies of its success in the areas mentioned above but I have not seen any in the headache area. My medical won't cover its purchase yet, but have asked me to send them all the scientific study data I can find.
Below are a few extracts from some of the scientific studies and info from the web site.
There is always hope!
John
[SUMMARY
Indications for the use of the APS Therapy device (scientifically proven).
Acute and chronic pain conditions
Sports injuries
APS Therapy has the following effects on pain management:
Analgesia, owing to more effective utilization of endogenous opioids and the inhibition of pain transmission.
Reduction of anxiety and more realistic self-assessment of pain.
Anti-inflammatory effects, owing to beneficial influences on the prostaglandin mechanisms involved in inflammation.
Local vasodilatation and better perfusion of affected areas with limitation of tissue damage at sites of inflammation/hypoxia.
Recommendations:
A minimum of five (5) treatment sessions of APS Therapy is indicated. If a patient does not respond after six (6) treatment sessions, treatment should be discontinued temporarily for at least one week. ]
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[The APS device was developed in l992 in South Africa and has been used extensively commercially over the past five years in South Africa with excellent results. It is now being exported to countries such as Holland, Australia, Germany, United States of America, Turkey and the middle east, amongst others
Research has been conducted in South Africa, Australia and Holland with most encouraging results. Various countries are conducting their own trials and the results of these and ongoing research in South Africa will soon be made available.]
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[Sensory stimulation has a long history as a method of treating pain and it was rediscovered In the 1960's as a treatment modality for pain relief. After the acceptance of the gate control theory proposed by Melzack and Wall, Tens (Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation) became widely used for pain control in the 1970's. This being through the temporary inhibition of the transmission from small diameter afferents to second order neurons in the spinal cord by non-noxious and noxious stimuli. The latter stimulation activates the large diameter fibres, thereby closing the "gate" in the spinal cord which had previously been opened by stimulation of the small diameter fibres.]