Every physical therapy clinic needs tools on hand to provide pain relief to clients. Physical therapists who are familiar with the many pain modalities available can help those experiencing pain better tolerate therapy sessions and enhance the effectiveness of their course of treatment. In this section, you’ll find technologies that can be used in concert with exercise and manual therapy, including modalities such as laser therapy, ultrasound, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS), and microcurrent electrical therapy. 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
Back and Neck Care 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
High Energy Inductive Therapy
Zimmer MedizinSystems, Irvine, Calif, introduces the emField Pro for High Energy Inductive Therapy (HEIT). The emField Pro generates a magnetic field of up to 3 Tesla, which is about 600 times stronger than a normal magnet. This strong magnetic field then stimulates nerves cells, muscles, and blood vessels. The new emFieldPro is designed to offer full and painless penetration, all without any consumables or the need for the patient to disrobe. The unit comes with two applicators to allow for static and dynamic treatment. Setup is quick, and treatment time is typically 10 to 20 minutes. Treatment can be mostly unattended.
For more information, contact Zimmer MedizinSystems, (800) 327-3576; www.ZimmerUSA.com and https://zimmerusa.com/products/physical-medicine/heit/emfieldpro/
E-Stim and Ultrasound Combination Units
Mettler Electronics Corp, Anaheim, Calif, introduces the new Sonicator Plus 921 and 941, two- and four-channel combination units. They feature neuromuscular stimulation and therapeutic ultrasound with color touchscreens with quick and easy treatment setups. Both products have six unique waveforms: Interferential (IF-4), Premodulated (IF-2), EMS, Russian, TENS, and High Voltage (HV). The Sonicator Plus 921 and 941 each have an anatomical library with electrode placement and treatment recommendations. There is memory for the clinician to store and use treatment protocols along with a description for each. This is designed to be a tremendous combination device for any practice, with six stimulation waveforms and 1 MHz and 3 MHz frequency ultrasound.
For more information, contact Mettler Electronics Corp, (800) 854-9305; www.mettlerelectronics.com
Topical Analgesics
Helix Professional Pain Relief from Parker Laboratories Inc, Fairfield, NJ, adds three new creams to join the company’s Pain Relieving Cream in the fight against pain. Helix Tri-Active Therapy Cream, CBD Therapy Cream, and CBD Clinical Cream are all formulated with arnica, ilex, aloe, and citrus-fresh tangerine oil. New Tri-Active Therapy Cream creates an intense cooling-then-warming sensation. New CBD Creams deliver cooling menthol, are available in two strengths, and provide temporary penetrating pain relief while easing stress and invigorating the body. Available in sizes that range from 3g/5g sample packets, all the way up to 1 US gallon. Just like original Helix Pain Relieving Cream, Parker Laboratories’ newest versions are available through medical supply dealers.
For more information, contact Parker Laboratories Inc, (973) 276-9500; www.helix4pain.com
Biofeedback and Electrostimulation Unit
MyOnyx from Thought Technology, Montreal, is a handheld device designed for biofeedback and electrostimulation. The portable, rechargeable, and wireless device is equipped with NMES with fully customizable settings and quick protocols for e-STIM; surface EMG and pressure, and advanced threshold features, for biofeedback; and EMG-triggered stimulation. The MyOnyx Android app includes engaging and informative feedback options. Therapists can create, adjust, and run assessments and training sessions, then review, save, or generate reports using the gesture-based, intuitive interface.
For more information, contact Thought Technology, (800) 361-3651 or (514) 489-8251; www.thoughttechnology.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
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
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
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
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
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
Photoceutical Therapeutic Lasers
Multi Radiance Medical, Solon, Ohio, manufactures evidence-based laser therapy devices that provide physical therapists with a non-invasive, photoceutical approach to managing pain and accelerating recovery in patients. A photoceutical allows PTs to harness the power of light as medicine to get more out of existing plans of care. With over 40 peer-reviewed, published studies on Multi Radiance Medical technology, this light-based approach to care allows PTs to effectively manage patient pain and stiffness and get their patients to therapeutic exercises faster. Offering both in-clinic and take-home models, Multi Radiance Medical’s family of therapeutic lasers allows therapists to meet their clinical goals in every step in the continuum of care, from acute pain to rehab to long-term maintenance.
For more information, contact Multi Radiance Medical, (800) 373-0955; www.multiradiance.com
Related Content:
Product Guide 2021: Pain Management
