Having the resources to provide effective pain relief is essential to any physical therapy clinic, and today’s marketplace offers a range of products to help meet this demand. Explore these pages and learn more about how these products can be useful in helping patients move through a prescribed course of therapy. Discover the benefits of technologies that include laser therapy, radial pressure pulse therapy, and other electromodalities. You’ll also find the latest in hot and cold therapy wraps, topical pain relievers, tools that help joints decompress and release tense muscles, and other important pain-management products.
Pain Relief for the Knee
Battle Creek Equipment Co, Fremont, Ind, is the manufacturer of Ice It! MaxCOMFORT System for the Knee, which features an articulated design that surrounds the entire knee for maximum therapeutic benefit. A comfortable, secure fit can allow the user to relax or continue performing activities during therapy sessions. Each product is sold in a box that contains two 6-inch x 12-inch cold packs, a holster, and three hook and loop straps. The company offers Ice It! MaxCOMFORT Systems designed for use on virtually any joint or area of the body.
For more information, contact Battle Creek Equipment Co, (800) 253-0854; www.BattleCreekEquipment.com
Reusable Hot/Cold Therapy
Southwest Technologies Inc, North Kansas City, Mo, manufactures Elasto-Gel hot and cold therapy products, which consist of more than 40 different shapes and sizes to provide the best fit for a person’s individualized needs. Elasto-Gel products may be used for either hot or cold therapy, and are manufactured so they will not leak if punctured. When heated, the products provide moist therapy heat, and when used cold, the products provide soothing cold.
For more information, contact Southwest Technologies Inc, (800) 247-9951; www.elastogel.com
Pressure Pulse Therapy Device
Mettler Electronics, Anaheim, Calif, introduces the Auto*Wave 695, Radial Pressure Pulse Therapy Device. The high-energy acoustic waves, generated by compressive forces created by the device, trigger the body’s healing response, reduce pain, and help increase circulation. Treatment parameters are easy to set using the color touch screen. Treatment protocols with images are included in the product. The ergonomic handpiece allows the clinician to deliver the treatment comfortably to the patient.
For more information, contact Mettler Electronics, (800) 854-9305; www.mettlerelectronics.com
MicroBlock Antimicrobial Electrodes
MicroBlock antimicrobial electrodes from Chattanooga, Tenn-based Richmar, A Compass Health Brand, are designed to eliminate infectious disease-causing bacteria and antibiotic-resistant threats such as E. cloacae (CRE), S. aureus (MRSA), E. coli (ESBL), E. faecalis (VRE), P. aeruginosa, and A. baumannii (Multi-Drug Resistant) between treatments, throughout the lifespan of the electrode. According to the company, these results are backed by scientific testing and research, and help explain how MicroBlock electrodes help reduce risk of contamination. Richmar also reports that the electrodes are a viable means to enhance infection prevention efforts in healthcare and rehabilitation settings.
For more information, contact Richmar, A Compass Health Brand, (888) 549-4945; www.richmarweb.com
Roll-On Pain Relief
Sombra Professional Therapy Products, Albuquerque, NM, offers roll-on applicators for its warming and cooling gels. Easy to apply, without leaving residue on a therapist’s hands, Sombra’s roll-ons are made to be ideal for PTs who move between several patients at once. Warm Therapy, with 3% menthol, 3% camphor, and a trace of capsaicin, reduces chronic pain in joints and muscles. Cool Therapy, powered by 6% menthol, alleviates acute pain. With no added colors or alcohol, Sombra products are formulated to not stain or irritate skin, and to absorb quickly with no greasiness. Natural, citrus oil ingredients provide a pleasant aroma.
For more information, contact Sombra, (800) 225-3963; www.sombrausa.com
Fast-Acting Topical
Sore No More from Moab, Utah-based Sore No More provides a blend of plant extracts engineered to offer effective relief for muscle aches, soreness, and more. The topical anesthetic effect of Sore No More depresses cutaneous sensory receptors. The formula is made to absorb quickly and deeply, producing a synergistic effect that detoxifies tissues, relieves tight and tender joints, soothes muscle soreness, and reduces inflammation. Sore No More can provide effective pain relief for a variety of conditions, including rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia, migraines, muscle aches and pains, muscle spasms, overexertion, fatigue, tendinitis, and diabetic neuropathy.
For more information, contact Sore No More, (800) 842-6622; www.sorenomore.com
Home Therapy System for Pain Relief
The CranioCradle from Kiss Life LLC is an easy-to-use therapy tool that effectively releases muscle aches and pains related to whiplash, TMJ, and chronic head, neck, and spine issues. Versatile, the CranioCradle can be used under occipitals, rhomboids, thoracic, lumbar, and/or sacrum to encourage joints to decompress and cramped, tense muscles to gently release. Based on osteopathy, craniosacral, and massage therapy techniques, the CranioCradle’s unique foam formulation and specialized design create the sensation of skilled therapeutic hands underneath the body. Use in treatment; recommend for home use.
For more information, contact CranioCradle, (888) 380-6748; www.craniocradle.com
Deep Tissue Therapy Laser
LiteCure Medical, New Castle, Del, the maker of LightForce Therapy Lasers, offers advanced rehabilitation solutions to healthcare providers. The company reports that its focus on providing exceptional customer service, along with a commitment to making ongoing investment in research, is key in helping it deliver superior products designed to improve therapeutic outcomes. The EXPi Therapy Laser is a high-power device (0.5 W to 25 W) built to allow clinicians to deliver treatments quickly and efficiently. Optimized for outcome improvement, the included influence Technology was developed to offer the flexibility of custom treatment options (both on and off contact) while ensuring consistent results.
For more information, contact LightForce Therapy Lasers, (877) 627-3858; www.lightforcelasers.com
Topical Pain-Relieving Gels with Aloe Vera
Flexall topical pain-relieving gels from Ari-Med Pharmaceuticals, Tempe, Ariz, are formulated to be an invaluable tool for clinical and training room settings by helping increase patient compliance while augmenting ultrasound, cryotherapy, TENS, and massage therapies. According to the company, recent studies report that a 25:75 Flexall and ultrasound gel mixture delivers heating results equal to 100% ultrasound coupling gel with the enhanced analgesic benefit of warmth. Flexall (7% menthol) and Maximum Strength Flexall (16% menthol) are aloe vera gel formulas that aim to provide fast, long-lasting relief from arthritis, backache, bursitis, tendonitis, muscle strains and sprains, bruises, and cramps. Flexall gels are made to absorb quickly and completely. They are greaseless, non-staining, and formulated to be gentle on the skin. Professional sizes are available.
For more information, contact Ari-Med Pharmaceuticals, (800) 527-4923; www.ari-med.com
Topical Pain Reliever
China-Gel is a topical pain reliever developed by Arlington Heights, Ill-based China-Gel, with ancient pain-relieving herbs for natural and effective relief. China-Gel provides a cool-to-warm sensation to help relax sore muscles and joints, and a lavender/menthol fragrance on application that becomes odorless as the gel is absorbed. In clinic, it can also be used as a coupling agent with ultrasound, as an emollient with instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization, and as a lubricant with cupping. Resembling a fine hand cream, it spreads on evenly and then absorbs completely into the skin without leaving a greasy residue, so practitioners can apply kinesiology tape immediately without wiping or cleaning.
For more information, contact China-Gel, (800) 898-4435; www.chinagel.com
Topical Analgesic
Helix Professional Pain Relief is a topical analgesic from Parker Laboratories Inc, Fairfield, NJ, formulated with menthol (7.4%), arnica, ilex, aloe, and tangerine oil to provide targeted, fast-acting, temporary pain relief. Helix Professional Pain Relief is paraben-free and available in 5 g pouch, 3 fl oz roll-on, 4 fl oz tube, 12 and 32 fl oz pump bottle, and gallon sizes. Sold exclusively into professional channels.
For more information, contact Parker Laboratories Inc, (973) 276-9500; www.helix4pain.com
Muscle Stimulator
The MS324C, by Amrex, Paramount, Calif, is designed for the application of low-volt AC muscle stimulation. The MS324C is a dual-channel, four-pad, low-voltage electrical muscle stimulator that produces pulsation, tetanize, surge, and reciprocal output. The low-volt AC muscle stimulator is a microprocessor-controlled unit equipped with a 115/230 Vac 50/60 Hz power supply. Low-voltage electrical muscle stimulation may be applied separately or combined with therapeutic ultrasound simultaneously through the SynchroSonic U/50 ultrasound transducer.
For more information, contact Amrex, (800) 221-9069; www.amrexusa.com
SmartSeat Cushion to Aid Posture
The SmartSeat, from Physical Mind Institute, New York City, features a special slope designed to help combat lower back and sciatica pain resulting from poor seating posture. Made from a suede-like foam, it acts as a posture corrector by substituting a biomechanically correct posture to retrain a sitter’s body to be able to sit comfortably with legs uncrossed. The cushion could also improve standing posture, lift and lighten the upper body, energize breathing, and activate the core abdominals, according to the company. SmartSeat weighs 3 ounces and is 19 inches long with a 3-inch pommel at the front and flares to 7 inches at the back. Wedges are 7 inches by 7 inches.
For more information, contact Physical Mind Institute, (212) 343-2150; www.physicalmindinstitute.com