ThermaCare(R) Launches Its First-Ever Heatwrap for Knee Pain

Main Category: Pain / Anesthetics
Article Date: 23 Sep 2004 - 10:00 PDT


Procter & Gamble announced a new addition to its expanding line of ThermaCare(R) products with the introduction of the new ThermaCare(R) Knee Wrap, its first product designed specifically for the knee. The air-activated heat wrap is designed to deliver at least eight hours of continuous, low-level heat directly to the knee or other joints to relieve pain and reduce stiffness.

"More than 40 million Americans are affected by some form of arthritis(1) and many suffer from debilitating knee pain that limits daily activity," said Wayne Riskin, MD, Rheumatologist and Clinical Voluntary Professor, University of Miami School of Medicine. "The ThermaCare Knee Wrap is an effective treatment option since it provides long-lasting pain relief without the risk of drug interactions or upset stomach which can occur with the use of oral analgesics."

For the 18.3 million patients who visited the doctor's office this year with knee pain, this news comes as a relief(2). A clinical study among those suffering from knee pain associated with osteoarthritis revealed that the knee wrap provided not only significant pain relief, but also increased flexibility and range of motion(3).

The Knee Wrap has a unique one-piece design that requires no assembly and features adjustable straps to ensure a comfortable fit for a variety of joints including the knee, elbow and wrist. Its custom fit allows free movement of the joint being treated, so the product can be worn comfortably while performing everyday activities or for overnight relief while sleeping. In addition, the wrap is made of the same wearable, cloth-like material as the original ThermaCare Heat Wraps, so its ultra-thin design goes virtually unnoticeable when worn under clothes.

Once exposed to oxygen in the air, ThermaCare HeatWraps reach a therapeutic temperature of 104 degrees F within 30 minutes. Studies have shown that heat disrupts the body's pain cycle by stimulating one's heat sensors to help stop pain from reaching the brain and by providing deep muscle relaxation to reduce sore muscles(4).

ThermaCare earned the Good Housekeeping Seal from the Good Housekeeping Institute (GHI). The Seal, an American icon representing Good Housekeeping's limited two-year satisfaction warranty, is earned when GHI determines the product will perform as promised.

ThermaCare(R) Knee Wraps are available in the pain relief aisle of grocery stores, supermarkets, drug stores, club stores or mass merchandisers by October 2004. For more information about knee pain and how ThermaCare(R) Knee Wraps can help, visit http://www.thermacare.com.

About ThermaCare

ThermaCare is an air-activated heat wrap designed to deliver eight hours of continuous low-level heat directly to the site of pain. Each wrap contains small discs made of natural, heat-generating ingredients (iron, charcoal, table salt and water) that heat up to 104 degrees F when exposed to oxygen in the air. ThermaCare HeatWraps are available in the pain relief aisle of local retailers nationwide. P&G is currently offering a money-back guarantee to encourage consumers to experience the remarkable benefits of ThermaCare in place of their standard pain relief regimen. For more information about ThermaCare HeatWraps, visit http://www.thermacare.com.

About Procter & Gamble

Two billion times a day, P&G brands touch the lives of people around the world. The company has one of the strongest portfolios of trusted, quality, leadership brands, including Pampers(R), Tide(R), Ariel(R), Always(R), Whisper(R), Pantene(R), Bounty(R), Pringles(R), Folgers(R), Charmin(R), Downy(R), Lenor(R), Iams(R), Crest(R), Actonel(R), Olay(R) and Clairol Nice 'n Easy(R), Head & Shoulders(R), and Wella. The P&G community consists of almost 110,000 employees working in over 80 countries worldwide. Please visit http://www.pg.com for the latest news and in-depth information about P&G and its brands.

(1) Medline Plus. National Institutes of Health.2003.
http://nihseniorhealth.gov/arthritis/faq/faq2a.html

(2) "The Knee" 2002. American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons http://orthinfo.aaos.org

(3) Clinical Study 2003042 - data on file

(4) Nadler SF, Weingand-KW, Kruse RJ, 2004, The Physiologic Basis and Clinical Applications Of Cryotherapy and Thermotherapy for the Pain Practitioner, Pain Physician, 7: 333-337

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