Thermotex Personal Therapy System Product Review

My dog, Maestro, was diagnosed with Inter-vertebral Disc Disease (IVDD) and osteoarthritis earlier this year. We have been going to the Canine Aquafitness Centre in Okotoks for his laser therapy treatments. Each session ends with a round on the Platinum Thermotex™ Personal Therapy System. Now that his laser therapy appointments have decreased from weekly to every other week, it was time to purchase our own Thermotex for at home pain relief from his vet; not only his muscle and joint pain, but my own!

How the Infrared Therapy Works

The Thermotex™ Personal Therapy System provides pain relief using infrared thermal energy (heat). This penetrates below the skin surface, all the way down into deep tissues and joints.

The body temperature in the injured area increases, increasing the blood flow into that area. The result is that the infrared jolts the affected area(s) into repairing the damage.

Infrared heat therapy is used on humans as well as pets for temporary relief of muscle and joint pain, sprains, strains, muscle tension, arthritis and even cancer patients. Maestro's vet assured me that it is very safe to use.

Features of the Thermotex™ Personal Therapy System

The Thermotex Personal Therapy System unit is 42 cm X 35 cm (17" X 15") The infrared heating plates are inside a soft, black case.

There are three settings on this product: High, Low and Off. The power cord is a decent length.

On the backside, there are removable Velcro straps. They can be used to wrap the device around the back, arm or leg.

In addition to the Thermotex™ Personal Therapy System, there are two systems specifically for animals. The equine system is designed as a coat for the horses to wear. The pet therapy system offers a line of pet beds.

Using theThermotex™ Personal Therapy System

When you first take the unit out of its packaging, check the cords inside the unit to make sure that they are securely connected. One end of the casing can be opened for this purpose.

His vet recommended that I put the pad in a pillowcase to keep the unit clean. So far, so good.

To use, place the unit on the injured area. You can use the Velcro straps to secure it in place. Put it on the high setting for the first 15 minutes and then switch to low. The instructions recommend that the device be used for at least 30 minutes.

The unit can be used up to four times a day. As with any therapy, the frequency can decrease as your condition improves.

There are several warnings that are worth noting. First, it is not recommended to use the unit while sleeping. Second, the Thermotex™ Therapy System should not be used on infants and thirdly, the product shouldn't be used in conjunction with liniments, salves or ointments. There rest are the regular warnings about using an electrical device.

There is a one year parts and labour warranty on the Thermotex™ Therapy System. There is also a 30-day satisfaction guarantee from the creator of the Thermotex™ Therapy Systems.

User Experience with the Thermotex™ Personal Therapy System

I purchased the device two weeks ago. Since then, Maestro has used the Thermotex™ Personal Therapy System daily. He uses it two to three times a day for approximately 30 minutes. 

Maestro gets fidgety once we near the 30 minute mark. His vet says that "He's cooked and done," when he becomes restless.

After each use, he is more mobile. Maestro attempts to jump up on the couch and to tackle the stairs ("No jumping, running or stairs" was the first thing his primary vet said to me when he was diagnosed). If I'm not fast enough or if I'm too slow to put the doggie gate up, he actually does.

As for me, I've been using it daily as well. I use it on my tense shoulders and to ease my lower back pain. I've been a bit more active lately, so I am also using it to prevent tendinitis in my arm and on an achy leg/hip.

Although I feel better immediately afterwards, its effects aren't consistent. It works extremely well on my back and shoulders. However, I've had limited success with my hip region. To be fair, I'm only using it once a day. I should actually follow the directions and increase usage to three or four times a day. As well, it is a little tricky to keep the pad in place at my hip.

When finished, I roll the unit up and wrap the power cord around it. It stores easily, although, with both of us using it daily, I don't bother putting it away.

Alternatives toThermotex™ Personal Therapy Systems

The Thermotex™ Personal Therapy System is one of the pricier pain relief personal care products on the market. I purchased it from the Canine Aquafitness Centre for $249 CAD. I imagine other local dealers will sell it at a similar price. It sells on Amazon for $289.14 CAD. The Venture Heat KB-2436 Therapy Infrared Heating Pad retails for approximately $155 CAD. The Therasage HB-1600 Far-Infrared Heat Therapy Healing Belt With Battery is more expensive at $300 CAD. If you want the benefits of infrared heat therapy at an entry-level price, you could check out the Infrared Deep Heat Wand for less than $30 CAD.

There are also infrared light therapy systems. Prior to purchasing the Thermotex™ Platinum, we were using the Light Relief Infrared Pain Relief Device ($84.99). Gaiam sells a Deep Penetrating Light Therapy device for $169 USD. There is also the Sirius SS-77 Aurora Light Therapy System for $85 USD.

Thermotex™ and the other infrared heating systems have one advantage to the infrared light therapy units on the market - durability. Once those LED lights die, that's it. Game over, simply because I haven't found any replacement lights. Our power adapter also burned out - after the warranty expired. On the flipside, the advantage to infrared light therapy products is that they are cheaper.

Infrared Pads on Amazon

Thermotex™ Personal Therapy System - The Final Verdict

Although the unit is the second most expensive that I've come across, I am satisfied with the Thermotex™ Personal Therapy System. The construction is solid, from the stitching of the casing to the thick Velcro straps. The heating plates are sturdy too.

It does work, if Maestro's increased mobility after each use is any indication. I too, have noticed less tension in my shoulders and back. The Thermotex™ Personal Therapy System is effective in providing temporary relief for chronic pain. One final bonus - no skin burns, which is always a factor when using "normal" heating pads.

Popular Back Massagers

Last week, I reviewed the Travel Roller, which is a self-myofascial release (SMR) tool for back pain relief. We live in a sedentary society, after all. Between sitting at my instrument, sitting at my desk and sitting (sometimes) when I teach, I do get back aches. Even with all my attempts to have ergonomic seating, I still get backaches, especially lower back pain.

As much as I like my Travel Roller, I'm always on the lookout for other massagers that offer back pain relief. Since I'm self-employed (TL: not the health benefits plan), I try to solve as much as I can on my own before calling a medical professional.

I have done some digging and found these 10 popular back massagers. Sure, you can order them from Amazon. However, if you want to buy local, do check your local medical supply store or exercise equipment store. Here's the Top Ten Best Sellers in Back Massagers:

1. Trigger Point Performance The Grid Revolutionary Foam Roller, Black

2. The Stick Travel Stick

3. Body Back Buddy

4. Spine-Worx Back Realignment Device

5. Trigger Point Performance Grid 2.0 Revolutionary EVA Foam Roller (Black)

6. Trigger Point Performance The Grid Revolutionary Foam Roller with SMRT-CORE Level 1 DVD (Black)

7. Original Massage Stick

8. The Original Backnobber II by The Pressure Positive Company

9. Trigger Point Performance Self Myofascial Release and Deep Tissue Massage Starter Set

10. Body Back Buddy Trigger Point Massager

Alas, my Travel Roller is not in the Top 100 List. In fact, it's actually found under "Sports & Outdoors". Methinks it's in the wrong category.

Now, I do own back massager that IS on the Top 10 List: The Originial Backnobber. What I tend to do is use the Travel Roller to loosen up the knots a bit so that the Original Backnobber can get into a knot and finish the job.

Roll Away Tension with the Travel Roller

The gym and massage therapist are not available 24/7, 365 days a year. That's when owning a self-myofascial release tool to relieve tension and stress comes in handy.

In "Stress Levels Up in Canada, Mental Health Association Warns", the CBC reported that stress had increased 30% from the previous year. In the article, it is stated that a study conducted by Desjardins Financial Security found that one-third of the people surveyed experienced anxiety, insomnia, tension headaches and muscle pain due to stress.

The increase of self-maintenance tools available have increased since the study was completed. This implies that consumers are seeking affordable ways to relieve stress anytime, any place. These methods range from home exercise DVDs and home fitness equipment to personal massagers and self-maintenance tools. The Travel Roller falls under the "self-maintenance tool" category.

A Look at the Travel Roller

The Travel Roller is a massage therapy roller and a self-myofascial release (SMR) tool. It is made of a stiff tube covered by a soft-closed cell foam surface. These materials make the Travel Roller more durable than standard foam rollers.

The Travel Roller is highly portable, fitting easily into a bag, backpack or suitcase. Two sizes of the Travel Roller are available. The small roller is 4" X 13" while the large roller is 5" X 15". There is also the Fitter First TravelRoller Acupressure Kit, which contains three acupressure balls (soft, medium and hard), two exercise posters and the "This is How We Roll" instructional DVD. The instructional DVD is also available separately.

The Travel Roller is available in red, blue, black, pink and lilac. It eco-friendly, with no off-gassing from the materials.

How the Travel Roller Works

To relieve muscle tension, users roll on the floor with the Travel Roller, applying gentle pressure on an area that is stiff. Users can adjust the pressure applied to an area as well as the angle of the roller. They can also alternate between rolling and pausing to apply static pressure on a muscle knot.

When used properly, the Travel Roller applies similar pressure as a masseuse using his or her forearm of foot. It can be used on the upper back, lower back, calves, hamstrings, quadriceps, IT band , pelvis, shoulder, armpit, neck and feet.

The Travel Roller Story

The Travel Roller was developed by Adam Wood of Calgary, Alberta, Canada. A multi-sport athlete, he was on the Canadian bobsledding team for over four years. Adam earned his Bachelor degree in Kinesiology from the University of Calgary and attended the National Coaching Institute Calgary.

He is now a strength and lifestyle coach. When Adam began coaching office workers, he realized the severity of his clients' muscle tension and muscle pain. This inspired him to create the Travel Roller.

How Well the Travel Roller Works

Users have written to Adam Wood commenting that they noticed immediate results after using the Travel Roller. With regular use, twice a day (or more), muscle tension and pain are eased. With just one roll, the user can feel and hear the skeletal system attempt to realign itself.

When used on a particularly tense spot, great care should be exercised. It is best to start with gentle pressure and then gradually place more weight onto the roller.

One huge design improvement since the Travel Roller was first released is that the cell foam is secured more thoroughly. This minimizes, if not eliminates the possibility of the cell foam becoming unglued from the tube. However, the foam is not indestructible. A curious pet can easily leave its mark on the foam with one bite.

The Travel Roller withstands the pressure used by people large and small. It works especially well on relieving back pain. The Travel Roller also works well on easing tension in the legs and shoulders. As for easing neck pain and neck tension, that takes a bit of practice to get the hang of it.

I have owned the Original Travel Roller and have version 3.8. The current model out on the market is 4.3. I can tell you that the design improves with each new release. Any complaints that I have about my Travel Roller has been addressed in subsequent models:

• Sturdier construction: The glue on the foam (Version 1.0 ) weakened with age, so the foam kept coming off. I'm glad to see that version 3.8 up to 4.3 do not have this issue.

• The foam doesn't lose shape.

• Design improvements on the storage container: You can store your acupressure balls, exercise band, your wallet, water bottle or your [insert blank] securely. My 3.8 is holding up well and can still hold the band and the balls (but anything else would fall out). Version 4.3 has a drawstring to keep the contents secure.

The Travel Roller works best when the user is barefoot or wearing proper footwear for exercising. Using the Travel Roller in stockinged feet is not advisable.

Cleaning the Travel Roller is relatively simple. Wash in warm warm soapy water. I usually let it air dry.

Alternative Self-Maintenance Tools

The Travel Roller is just one of a growing number of self-maintenance tools out on the self-massage market. There are also foam rollers, massage sticks, spiky massage balls and acupressure balls.

The Travel Roller is available at  Fitter First as well as Amazon. Locally, you can check your local exercise store or your physiotherapist's office. The Travel Roller Acupressure Kit retails between $73 - $79 USD. The Travel Roller sells for $44 - $49 USD, while the Travel Roller Athlete Kit (roller, one acupressure ball and a stretching band) retails for $59 USD.

As far as self-myofascial release tools go, the Travel Roller's portability and durable construction are huge benefits. The fact that it is fairly easy to use is also a bonus. Another boon is that regular use of the Travel Roller can cut down on visits to the massage therapist or chiropractor. Perhaps the biggest advantage is that the Travel Roller can be used several times throughout the day, every day.

Originally published on Suite101.com on March 30, 2010. Updated March 23, 2013. All rights reserved by Rhona-Mae Arca.