With growing numbers of Baby Boomers aging into retirement and wanting to maintain active lifestyles, the challenge for physical therapists to manage that generation’s aches and pains has perhaps never been more expansive. Likewise, healthcare is increasingly mindful to provide noninvasive pain relief options that are easy to use, readily available, and can help avoid risk of addiction. The technologies for therapists to provide these types of options range from sophisticated electromedical tools to hot and cold therapies and topical analgesics. Physical Therapy Products has gathered products from select manufacturers across the country for this showcase of pain management products offering the very latest in pain management performance. Get the highlights in these brief product profiles, then visit the manufacturer websites for more details and pricing.
TOPICAL PAIN-RELIEVING GELS WITH ALOE VERA
Ari-Med Pharmaceuticals, Tempe, Ariz, offers Flexall topical pain-relieving gels for use in clinical and training room settings. The gels aim to increase patient compliance while augmenting ultrasound, cryotherapy, TENS, and massage therapies. Flexall (7% menthol) and Maximum Strength Flexall (16% menthol) are aloe vera gel formulas designed to provide fast, long-lasting relief from arthritis, backache, muscle strains and sprains, bruises, and cramps. Flexall gels are made to absorb quickly and completely, are greaseless, non-staining, and gentle on the skin. Professional sizes are available.
For more information, contact Ari-Med Pharmaceuticals, (800) 527-4923; www.ari-med.com
HOT AND COLD THERAPY
Fremont, Ind-based Battle Creek Equipment Company has been providing American-made pain-management products since 1931. Thermophore Deep-Heat moist heat therapy packs have been in use for 50 years and now have enhanced features built for maximum performance, including various sizes, switches, and covers to meet almost any moist heat therapy need. The Good2Go microwaveable pads deliver high-quality moist heat therapy in joint-specific designs. Ice It! ColdCOMFORT Systems feature hands-free Joint-Specific and Multi-Use styles for targeted cold therapy, along with handy refill cold-packs. Battle Creek Physical Therapy and Rehab products are manufactured to be ideal for clinic or home use.
For more information, contact Battle Creek Equipment Company, (800) 253-0854; www.battlecreekequipment.com
TENS THERAPY
The new InTENSity Professional Series, from Roscoe Medical Inc, Middleburgh Heights, Ohio, includes two clinical modality units (EX4 & CX4), offering a wide range of treatment options, in a user-friendly, ergonomic design. The EX4 offers multiple electrotherapy waveforms (TENS/EMS/IF-2P/IF4-P/Russian/Hi-Volt/Microcurrent) in a single unit. The CX4 combines multiple electrotherapy waveforms with therapeutic ultrasound in a single unit. Both are equipped with a color touch-screen interface that intuitively groups and displays all the options for a modality setup, guiding clinicians step-by-step to ensure the ideal therapeutic treatment. Parameters can be easily selected and adjusted. The entire line of InTENSity Professional Series is covered under a 3-year service warranty program, which includes free phone-tech support. CE Courses available.
For more information, contact Roscoe Medical, (800) 376-7263; www.compasshealthbrand.com
PAIN RELIEF PATCHES
LidoSpot pain relief patches are the newest additions to the Point Relief family of products designed to relieve pain from Fabrication Enterprises Inc, White Plains, NY. Engineered for use during or after treatment to provide long-lasting relief from pain, each patch contains the highest permissible amount of lidocaine (4%) without a prescription and 1% menthol. The patch is designed to be large enough to cover areas such as the lower back but is easily cut to allow the therapist to create a custom pain relief patch. LidoSpot patches are designed to stay in place for up to 12 hours, even during strenuous physical activity.
For more information, contact Fabrication Enterprises Inc, (800) 431-2830 or sales@nullfeiretail.com; https://www.fab-ent.com
THERAPY LASER
The LightForce FX Therapy Laser by LiteCure Medical, Newark, Del, is the newest addition to the LightForce portfolio. The FX comes equipped with the Empower Delivery System, which enables enhanced dosage delivery options to give users an advantage when treating their most difficult clinical conditions. The FX also offers a new level of ease of use and versatility featuring intuitive preset protocols, Perfect Protocol, and Influence Technology to enable users to maximize every treatment.
For more information, visit LiteCure Medical, (877) 627-3858; www.litecure.com/medical/
TENS*STIM 211 TENS/EMS DEVICE
Mettler Electronics, headquartered in Anaheim, Calif, introduces the new TENS*STIM 211, two-channel digital TENS/EMS device. The device features a large LCD display that provides a visual for operation modes, treatment time, and output; uses three AAA batteries (included with unit); and comes with a protective cover that can attach to a belt or waistband for portable movement. The TENS mode provides eight preset programs, and the EMS mode provides six preset programs that are created for specific patient conditions. The timer is adjustable from 5 to 60 minutes.
For more information, contact Mettler Electronics, (800) 854-9305; www.mettlerelectronics.com
ROLL-ON PAIN RELIEF FORMULA
Onecaine Advanced Topical Pain Relief, available from Omiera Labs, Lompoc, Calif, is a natural roll-on formula developed by a team of pharmacists and physicians and designed to go deep to reach the source of pain and discomfort. In addition to easing muscles, the formula also aims to temporarily treat nerve pain and tenderness. Additionally, Onecaine is engineered to calm restless legs and provide natural temporary relief for pain also associated with arthritis, knees, shoulders, neck, lower back, muscles, joints, feet, and sciatica.
For more information, contact Omiera Labs, (805) 733-2060; www.omieralabs.com
PAIN BOOK FOR PATIENTS
Author Adriaan Louw, PT, PhD, in the book Why Do I Hurt, presents the latest neuroscience research in accessible language to teach patients about how the nervous system and brain process information and contribute to pain. Studies reportedly show this knowledge helps patients function better, experience less pain, and have an increased ability and interest in healthy exercise—all of which are essential in recovery. Available through OPTP, Minneapolis, the softcover, 52-page book is enhanced with dozens of full-color images.
For more information, contact OPTP, (800) 367-7393; www.optp.com
ELECTRODE GEL
Spectra360 Electrode Gel, from Fairfield, NJ-based Parker Laboratories, features a salt-free and crystal-clear formulation, and can be used for electromedical and TENS procedures. Its stay wet properties work by wetting the skin, thereby reducing skin resistance, as well as by its electrolytic properties.
For more information, contact Parker Laboratories Inc, (800) 631-8888; www.parkerlabs.com
TOPICAL ANALGESIC PAIN RELIEVER
Performance Health offers Biofreeze Professional, which combines characteristics from its regular Biofreeze product into a new formula made to deliver a longer-lasting effect and a more satisfying patient experience with a smoother application for alleviating pain from backaches, arthritis, sore muscles and joints, sprains, strains, and bruises. The product is non-systemic, non-narcotic, and contains no NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), salicylates, or addictive substances. Many application and size options are available.
For more information, contact Performance Health, (800) 321-2135; www.biofreeze.com/for-professionals
DESKTOP LASER UNIT
Watertown, SD-based Pivotal Health Solutions’ Apollo Desktop Laser unit offers both convenience and power. The Apollo’s two probes allow clinicians to work on two patients at the same time or two areas on the same patient. Each Apollo Desktop unit allows customization for a variety of powerful probes for deep tissue treatment or more delicate treatment. The Apollo Laser features a user-friendly LCD display with probe status and treatment time ranging from 10 seconds to 2 minutes, built-in safety and fault detection software, and a built-in power test to assess probe output. With PHS’ Apollo Cold Laser, each patient will receive treatment to safely regenerate damaged cells and tissues in the back and neck, various strains and sprains, muscular pain, and postsurgical pain relief.
For more information, contact Pivotal Health Solutions, (800) 743-7738; www.pivotalhealthsolutions.com
DEEP OSCILLATION THERAPY
The HIVAMAT 200 Evident’s Deep Oscillation Therapy, from Richmar, Chattanooga, Tenn, is an FDA-approved treatment for pain relief and muscle relaxation. Deep Oscillation Therapy is the unique means in which the HIVAMAT brings about positive physiological outcomes to the skin, connective tissues, and lymphatic system of patients. These effects are caused by gentle oscillations deep within the soft tissues, created by noninvasive electrostatic attraction and friction. The company reports that professional sports teams are already using HIVAMAT to help athletes recover from acute traumatic injuries. Likewise, Richmar reports, HIVAMAT treatments are also safe and effective for repetitive use during long-term maintenance of chronic conditions.
For more information, contact Richmar, (888) 549-4945; www.richmarweb.com
COOL THERAPY PAIN-RELIEVING GEL
Sombra Professional Therapy Products, Albuquerque, NM, manufactures Sombra Natural Pain Relieving Gel COOL Therapy in a 3-oz roll-on. The alcohol-free product contains menthol, which provides maximum relief without skin irritation or drying. It also features a pleasant, natural lemon aroma.
For more information, contact Sombra Professional Therapy Products, (800) 225-3963; www.sombrausa.com/cool-therapy
NATURAL PAIN-RELIEVING GEL
Sore No More from Moab, Utah-based Sore No More is formulated to be a fast-acting pain-relieving gel that begins to work immediately once massaged onto affected areas. Sore No More can provide temporary pain relief from simple backaches, arthritis, bruises, fibromyalgia, cluster headaches, and more. The company’s special blend of natural plant extracts, in combination with menthol, capsaicin, and witch hazel, is formulated to get rid of pain the natural way.
For more information, contact Sore No More, (800) 842-6622; www.sorenomore.com
HOT AND COLD THERAPY WRAPS
Southwest Technologies Inc, North Kansas City, Mo, manufactures Elasto-Gel hot and cold therapy products. The product line consists of more than 40 different shapes and sizes so the wraps can best fit each individual’s particular needs. Elasto-Gel products may be used for either hot or cold therapy and are manufactured to not leak if punctured. When heated the products provide moist therapy heat, and used cold the product is designed to provide soothing cold—without causing trauma to the skin or nerves.
For more information, contact Southwest Technologies Inc, (800) 247-9951; www.elastogel.com
ULTRASOUND THERAPY SYSTEM
The Zimmer Sono ultrasound therapy system with patented SonoSwing, available from Zimmer MedizinSystems, Irvine, Calif, allows users to run both frequencies (0.8MHz and 3.0MHz) through the same soundhead in the same treatment and to select the percentage for each frequency. In addition, users can “swing” through the treatment range from surface to depth to anywhere in between. A coupling light shines red or green to make sure there is appropriate contact.
For more information, contact Zimmer MedizinSystems, (800) 327-3576; www.zimmerusa.com