Allegro Medical sells thousands of products and remedies designed to relieve, treat or prevent back pain.  Some products listed below are for those currently suffering from back pain, others are designed simply to reduce back stress for caregivers while moving and caring for patients. 

Note:  Back pain is so pervasive and its causes so varied that there is no simple answer on how to manage it.  I highly recommend that you consult your doctor or see a chiropractor in your quest for relief.  You may need a series of adjustments and/or some targeted exercises to eliminate or ease your back pain.

Popular Back Pain Relief Products

 Snappy Spa – The newest portable spa on the market, from the makers of the super popular inflatable Spa2Go Portable Whirlpool.  Snappy Spa is even better because it’s snappy! Connectors snap together with no special tools and it is insulated for maximum heat retention.  Talk about back pain relief! You can use this personal, portable spa anywhere.  Fits 4 adults.  Get Free UPS Ground Shipping, for a limited time.  Order today!

See all Relaxation Products

Kinesio Tape - The effectiveness of this tape is proven to relieve all kinds of pain, including back pain, but only if applied properly.  Rather than strapping your muscles, the philosophy of Kinesio Tape is to give free range of motion and allow the body’s muscular system to heal itself bio-mechanically.  Read more about Kinesio Tape in What the Heck is Kinesio Tape and why is Olympic Gold Medalist Kerri Walsh Wearing it?

See all Kineso Related Products

Coccyx Cushion - Relieve your painful tailbone with one of our most popular products ever.  The coccyx cushion has a cut-out at the back, thereby reducing pressure on the spine and coccyx while sitting.  It can be used with most any seat at home, work or in the car.

See all Coccyx Cushions and  Seat and Back Cushions

Hinged Elevated Toilet Seat - Raises the toilet seat by 3″ to help you get on and off.  Great for arthritis sufferers, back pain, knee or hip pain.

See all Raised Toilet Seats and Bathroom Assists

Biofreeze  – For fast-acting long-lasting relief of minor aches and back pains.  Contains ILEX, an herbal extract from South America used around the world in various health & wellness formulations.  Contains no waxes, oils, aloe or petroleum.

See all Performance Health Products and  Over-the-Counter (OTC) Back Pain Relievers

ColPaC Cold Therapy Cushions - Available in shapes and sizes for all body parts, these ColPaCs are great for temporary relief of back pain.  Simply chill in the freezer and apply.  You can use them over and over.

Thermotex Infrared Heating Pad – TTS Platinum-  The mother of all heating pads for back pain, infrared pad uses a deep heat therapy system to increase ciculation and promote increased blood flow.  We just got this Platinum Thermotex back in stock and they are super popular.  Get ‘em while they’re hot… (I know, I know…)

See all Thermotex Products,  Heat / Heating Pads and  Hot/Cold Therapy

Confused about Hot or Cold Therapy? Read Arthritis Pain – Which is Best, Heat or Ice?

Deluxe Flexible Sock and Stocking Aid- Is your back pain making it hard to get dressed?  Don’t lose your independence.  Try one of our dressing aids.

Back Massagers - Relieve muscle tension and minor back aches with these soothing, invigorating massage products.  Many choices!

SafetySure Transfer Pivot Disk – Caregivers, listen up.  You must take care of yourself before you can take care of others.  Ensure you are both safe during patient transfers and avoid painful back injuries with this transfer pivot disk.

See all Transfer Boards and Discs, Transfer Devices and Mobility Transfer Products

Specialty Pillows - Back pain is easily caused or made worse by your sleeping habits.  Find relief in our large selection of pillows and get a great night’s sleep.  If you’re looking to reduce lower back pain and you are a side sleeper, I recommend getting a Leg Wedge Pillow as well.

Bedridden?  Take a look at our bed positioners and wedges

Cervical Traction Devices – Often used to relieve pinched nerves, these home traction sets are very popular and highly rated for reducing back and neck pain. 

Intelect TENS Unit - This portable, battery-operated TENs device is “used for the symptomatic relief and management of chronic pain and acute post-surgical or post-trauma pain”.   That’s a mouthful, but essentially it zaps your muscles with stimulating pulses that temporarily interrupt pain. 

See all Electrotherapy Products

Shoe Insoles and Heel Cups – Help relieve pain in your feet, ankles, knees, hips and back.

Abdominal Binders and Hernia Support - Support for your back, belly and nether regions.  See also Maternity Supports and Allegro’s Bariatric Back Support.

Anti-Fatigue Mats - Do you have back pain and fatigue from standing all day?  Get a cushy floor mat.  I have two of them in my kitchen.  I can cook for hours!

Still not finding your back pain remedy?  See all 300+ Back Pain Relief Products in our Shop by Condition area.  And please remember that Exercise and Fitness play a big role in reducing back pain.  It may help if you strengthen your core.

See your doctor before starting any exercise program or if you have questions or concerns about any back pain remedy.

As always, thanks for your business.

Now we can all go hands-free  at home or the office with everything from automated soap dispensers, faucets and toilet flushers to trashcans and paper towel dispensers.

Besides giving a new meaning to “Look Ma! No hands!”, these automated products are ideal for homes with kids or elders, people with limited hand function, modern homes, office buildings, medical offices, schools, day-care facilities and nursing homes.  They also make great gifts.

Allegro Medical’s Automated Products

Touch-Free Sensor Soap Dispenser – Stainless Steel- 100% hands free.  Our most popular touchless product, this elegant, durable soap dispenser reduces contact with germs and delivers an exact dose of soap, detergent, lotion or gel every time.  Works beautifully with any kitchen or bath decor.  

 Sensor Flush – Automatic Toilet Flusher - Convert your tank-style toilet into a touchless, germ free toilet in just 5 minutes.  Batteries are included and they last up to 23,000 flushes!

EZ Faucet Pro – Touchless Automatic Water Dispenser - Makes any existing sink faucet completely hands-free and automatic.  Helps prevent the spread of flu and infectious diseases, plus conserves water by stopping water when it is not in use.  Touch-free sensor activation.

Touchless Recycle Bin – 16 gallon, 2-compartment recycle bin that opens and closes automatically with the latest sensor technology.  Fits an 8 gallon trash bag in each compartment. 

Towel-Matic Automatic Paper Towel Dispenser – Works perfectly with all brands and sizes of home paper towels.  Guaranteed one-hand operation Makes tearing towel sheets easy and mess free!  

Touchless Trashcan SX Silver – 14 Gallon – Create a germ free, odor free environment with an automated trash can.  Get the latest sensor technology and a patented space saving lid opening design.  New AC power adaptor is available to save on battery cost.

See all Touchless Trash Cans

 Weather-Proof Fingerprint Recognition Door Locks- Everyone in your home or office has their own unique “key” that they’ll NEVER LOSE.  Their fingerprints!  Works with up to 150 fingerprint users and 78 passcode users.  Easy to install, rugged, corrosion resistant steel.

See all iTouchless products

See all Around the House for more of Allegro Medical’s simplification products.  We want to help make your life easier!

Pick up extras to give as holiday gifts or stocking stuffers! 

OUTDOOR Warming Products

Cold Weather Mask - Take the risk out of breathing cold air with this Arctic Fleece mask that warms the air you inhale, no matter how cold and dry it is.  Enhanced with a particle filtering lining.  Adjustable, washable, long lasting, rolls up for storage/packing.  Effective in sub-zero weather. 

SKWOOSH Stadium Gel Seat- Cradle and warm your buns as you cheer on your favorite team with this super thin, but extremely effective TekPad gel-filled Stadium Seat.  Weighs only 7 ozs, folds to the size of a piece of paper, has 2 built-in carry handles and comes in Navy, Burgendy, Black or Green.  Super value priced for everyone in the family and great for indoors or out.  Made in the USA.. U..S…A!!  Goooooo USA!  (Practicing my cheers).

Allegro has everything from travel cushions to hunting cushions and Kayak Cushions!  See all SKWOOSH Cushions and Seats. 

Cold Condition Glove- These Ironclad cold weather gloves are designed to protect your hands from cold weather but allow for a high level of dexterity.  Wicking material wicks away perspiration.  Breathable, but resists water and oil.  Non-slip reinforcements on palm and fingers for enhanced grip and abrasion-resistance.  Neoprene at the cuff and knuckle.  Machine washable.

Superfeet hot PINK Cold Weather Premium Insoles – Lady skiers and snow boarders, add these to your ski boots and you’ll be carving like a pro this season.  Provides support, shock absorption, power transmission and edge control to tear up the slopes.  Heat management for all-day comfort.  Antimicrobial technology helps prevent foot odor.  Men, we carry them for you too:  Superfeet REDhot Cold Weather Premium Insoles.

Spa-N-A-Box Portable Spa- Nothing warms you more completely than a nice relaxing spa.  Now you can have your own bubbling, whirling spa at a fraction of the cost of a traditional hot tub.  Sets up in about 20 minutes, requires no tools, and plugs into a regular household outlet.   Seats 4 to 5 people.  Great gift for the family.  Use it indoors or outdoors, on your patio or deck, in your condo or apartment, lakehouse, cabin or boat!

INDOOR Warming Products

Bed Buddy Foot Warmers with Aromatherapy –  Just pop the reusable scent pack in the microwave for a  minute and put them back in the fleece fabric boots for an hour of moist heat and warm feet!  Lightly fragranced with clove, cinnamon and eucalyptus.   For cold hands, try the Bed Buddy Hand Warmers or get everything, including the sinus pack in the Bed Buddy Heat Therapy Kit.

NatraCure Heat Therapy Mittens - Recommended for arthritis sufferers and hard working hands as a warming aid.  One size fits most.  Washable and reusable.  Lightly scented.  Disperses moisturizing mineral oils and Vitamin E to hydrate and nourish your skin.  Microwave for 25 to 30 seconds to warm.

Bed Warmer -  Placed at the bottom of the bed under the sheets, the Battle Creek Bed Warmer warms your legs and feet rather than the whole bed.  Or, position warmth exactly where it feels best!  Costs less to operate than an electric blanket.

Arthritis Gloves - Soft, breathable cotton lycra will make you want to wear these gloves day and night.  Mild compression and warmth helps increase circulation and promote healing of arthritic, achy, painful, stiff hands.  Great for working around the house or in the garden to keep your hands warm but your fingers free to feel, touch and grip.

Toasty Toes Personal Heater – Perfect for work or home, this “deluxe” footrest is thermostatically controlled to heat your feet and legs.  Use in the office, study, basement, garage, porch, craft room you need to be seated or standing for a long time.  Three positions.  6 foot cord plugs into any 110v outlet.

See all Cozy Heater Products

Dream Saks Airline Comfort Set - Travel in warmth and style with your own silk blanket, pillowcase and eye shades!  Great for long air routes, trains, buses or cars.  Rolls into its own 12″ bag and weighs less than a pound.  Prefer cashmere over silk?  Try the Dream Sak Luxury Travel Kit.  A great gift for the traveler who has everything…

See all Dream Saks

Indoor or Outdoor Relief from Cold

Grabber Peel-n-Stick Adhesive Body Warmers - Standard equipment for anyone who enjoys outdoor cold weather activities.  Widely used for soothing cold, sore joints and muscles as a result of Arthritis, Raynaud’s, Lupus, Scleroderma, Fibromyalgia or just poor circulation.  40 portable heating pads per box, one time use, disposable.  Warms for 12+ hours.  For cold feet and cold hands, use Grabber’s Foot Warmers and Grabber’s Hand Warmers.  Get a case and divide them up for stocking stuffers or gifts for your team members and friends.

Wishing you and your family a nice warm winter.  As always, thanks for your business.   -v

Did you know that arthritis affects millions of Americans after the age 50 and women are more often effected by arthritis?

Arthritis is caused when the cartilage in the joint deteriorates over time, causing bones to rub against each other which causes stiffness, pain and loss of movement in the joint.  Arthritis typically affects weight bearing joints such as hands, hips, knees and the spine.  Unfortunately, there is no “cure” for arthritis, though there are many treatments and products that can relieve pain.

Here is a list of Allegro’s customers’s favorite arthritis remedies, arthritis aides and arthritis pain relief products.

10 Most Popular Arthritis Products

1.  Biofreeze – The Biofreeze 4 oz Tube, Biofreeze Roll-on 3 oz ,  Biofreeze Spray and Biofreez Gel Pump all make on the first page of our Arthritis Products Page and gets very high ratings so it must be good.   It is a long lasting topical analgesic & pain reliever that contains ILEX, an herbal extract from South America.  See all Biofreeze.

2.  Car Caddie Helping Hand – Need a little help getting in and out of the car?  This is made just for you.  Super popular and highly rated, we’ve sold thousands.   Even works to help get kids in and out of your SUV or pickup.  Also in the Top 10, a similar product called the Handybar 3 in 1 Car Aid.  5 star rating!

3.Neckpro Cervical Traction Device - At-home traction for relief of neck pain. Uses a unique ratcheting device that delivers a more precise amount of cervical traction tension than the old conventional overdoor neck traction systems.  Similar to what you would experience in a clinical setting.

4.  Arthritis Gloves-  Made of soft breathable cotton lycra, these gloves provide mild compression that warms your hands and helps increase circulation.  Open fingertips for full freedom.  Wear day or night.  For edema, try the Norco Edema Glove that provides compression past your wrist.

5.    UpEasy Lifting Cushion – Converts any chair into an automatic lift chair that will lift 80% of your body weight.  Adjusts for various weights.  Easily transportable with built-in handle.

6.   Bamboo Shower Seat and Bath Bench- Its compact triangle shape fits into the shower stall or bathtub and it looks great!    Made of eco-friendly bamboo, a 100% renewable resource.   Height adjustable, with slip-resistant rubber tipped legs.

7.  Light Relief Light Therapy-  One of Allegro’s top products for several years now, this light therapy device emits energy in the infrared spectrum to provide topical warmth.  A natural alternative to pain medication, the Light Relief eases arthritis pain and stiffness.  Includes a travel bag.

8.    Thermophore Moist Heat Pack - Moist heat is most often recommended by doctors. Why?  Because moisture transfers the high heat deeper into tissues than ordinary dry heat pads providing temporary relief from rheumatic and arthritic pain.  Increased blood flow is als a result of moist heat, which can relieve inflamed joints and help maintain flexibility.  The heating pad draws moisture from the air and requires no water.  Includes soft flannel cover.  Also see the highly rated  Thermophore Arthritis Pad.

9.  Cando Gel Hand Exercise Balls -  Recommended for arthritis, these exerise balls are used to help grip, strength, dexterity and mobility, as well as fine and gross motor skills.  Can be microwaved or put in the freezer.  Very soothing.

10.  Spa-N-A-Box Portable Spa – A super economical way to have your own above-ground spa.  Soothes arthritis pain for hours.  Sets up on about 20 minutes and plugs into a regular household outlet.  Put it on your patio, deck, on your boat or even in your c0ndo or apartment!  Quiet operation.  Seats 4 or 5 people.

BONUS:   The Freedom Wand – Toilet Tissue Aid

See hundreds of arthritis products including braces, supports, over-the-counter remedies and medications, daily living aids, bed wedges, pillows, canes and much more in Shop By Condition: Arthritis.

Its effects may be gradual, but yoga, when practiced regularly, will rock your mind, body and spirit.

Why Yoga?

The longer you go without stretching, repeating the same basic muscle movements every day, the more likely you will lose your range of motion and be unable to move freely.  Yoga can help balance your body and keep it free of aches of pains.  Even women in nursing homes who regularly participate in yoga classes have fewer complaints of aches & pains than women who are sedentary.  It has also been proven to reduce medication requirments in those with asthma and has long been know to be more effective than splinting patients with carpal tunnel syndrome.  If you have arthritis in your hands, you can reduce tenderness, pain during activity, and improve range of motion.

One of the major benefits of yoga is its effect on anxiety.  Because yoga practice involves breathing and meditation, yoga practitioners are more likely to be calmer and less likely to react negatively to outside circumstances.

Getting Started in Yoga

First you need to do a little research and decide which type of yoga will best suit your personality, lifestyle and current level of fitness.  I have taken yoga classes at yoga studios and at the gym, and I also have several yoga tapes for home practice.  I enjoy both and choose whatever works best for my schedule and mood.  I use my tapes every morning before breakfast.   AllegroMedical.com’s most popular yoga DVD is Everyday Yoga – Hips and Knees DVD.   It includes 5 different daily yoga practices that can be performed Monday through Friday, to keep it fresh.

Note to those who think they can’t do it:  Even after practicing yoga for years I am by no means a pro at this, and if I can do it, anyone can.  It’s how it makes me feel that keeps me going.  I’ll never be able to bend like a pretzel, but hey, I do what I can and that’s enough.  Remember, it’s called yoga ‘practice’.

To find a class in your area, check out the Yoga Journal Directory or your local paper.  If you’re just starting out, a hatha or vinyasa class would probably be best.   You can try other ones down the line.  I have friends that swear by the “hot yoga” classes. 

Yoga Equipment, Videos and Clothing

Yoga Mats - Also called sticky mats.  You can sometimes rent or use a mat at a yoga studio or gym, but really you will want your own mat for hygiene reasons.

Yoga Starter Kit - This has everything a beginning yoga student needs, including yoga blocks, a tote bag to take to class, a sticky mat, straps and a postures poster for reference.  You can also buy these essential yoga props, yoga foam blocks, yoga straps, a yoga mat and a small pillow or blanket separately.

Yoga Balls - Besides the essentials, there are some fun exercise balls and a FitBall Yoga DVD you might want to try at home. 

See all Yoga Videos/DVDs

See all Exercise Books and Videos

Pants – A pair of shorts or sweatpants will do, but you might look for special yoga pants that are fitted but give full range of motion.  Some are fitted at the top but slit at the bottom so you can check your alignment.

See all Yoga Equipment

See all Exercise/Fitness

The effects on your body from yoga are quite different that those you’ll find from traditional exercise.  Yoga is slow, dynamic, static.  Effort is minimized and awareness is internal.  The parasympathetic nervous system and the sucortical regions of the brain dominates.  Traditional  exercise is the opposite.  It involves maximum effort, muscle tension, cortical brain domination, forceful movements and external awareness.  Yoga carries a low risk of injuring muscles and ligaments.  Less so with exercise.

If you can, do both.  If you want to get started on something that will unite your mind, body and spirit.  Something that helps you find harmony, then I suggest yoga.

Namaste (I bow to you).

Although the most common form of arthritis, osteoarthritis, is prevalent in people over 60, arthritis can start as early as infancy.   Tens of millions of adults and hundreds of thousands of children in the U.S. have it.

So, that said, what can you do to ease your pain, joint stiffness and inflmmation?  The common theme seems to be warmth, although many swear by glucosamine. 

Allegro’s Top 10 Arthritis Products

1.  Arthritis Gloves  – 4.5 out of 5 stars!  Designed to provide mild compression, warmth and increased circulation, this special gloves help relieve aches and pains from arthritis in your hands.  Wear them all day and night if you like.   Good for cold hands, hand fatigue or other types of hand and wrist pain too. 

See All Arthritis Gloves and Hand Warmers.

2.    Light Relief Light Therapy - A topical heating device that uses infrared light to create warmth.  It’s totally silent and it helps increase circulation and relieve pain and stiffness wherever and whenever you need it.   My 95-yr old grammy swears by it.  Comes with a money-back guarantee and a 2-year warranty.  Oh, and a travel case too.

3.    Spa-N-A-Box Portable Spa – How about having a whirlpool spa right in your home?  Or on your patio, deck, back yard, or boat?  This spa sets up in 20 minutes and provides, you guessed it, warmth for sore joints and chronic pain.  Soothe your whole body at a fraction of a cost of other units.  Psssst.  It’s fun too!    See also our new AromaSteam Portable Steam Sauna.

4.      Kneed-It Therapeutic Knee Guard -  Scientifically designed to relieve minor knee pain associated with arthritis, tendonitis and chondromalacia by placing placing pressure, concentrated compression and warmth across the soft tissue in front of the knee.  

See  All Knee Straps and Wraps.

5.    Flexall 454 Maximum Strength Pain Relieving Gel – One of our customers says he would “have trouble without this product” .  Ideal for long-lasting relief of arthritis pain, mustcle strains, sprains, bursitis and tendonitis.

6.    Paraffin Bath – Professional Grade Warm Bath Spa -  I love using this product.  It’s like having a professional spa manicure and pedicure at home.  Plus it relieves arthritis pain and stiffness in your hands, feet and elbows.   Why?  Because paraffin wax has a very high heat capacity and when it coats your limbs, it transfers that heat to you.  Pure heaven.  Here’s also the Paraffin Heat System.

7.    Thermophore Arthritis Pad -  It’s the moist heat pad that doctors recommend most.   Produces intense moist heat without adding water.  The new four-stage therapy switch provides optimum 20-minute treatments.  Hands free!

8.    Emercen-C Joint Health Formula – Nothing loosens my joints better than glucosamine with chondroitin.  I don’t know how it works, but it makes me feel loose as a goose.  Without it, I crump up… quick.   Stiff back, knees and fingers…  My doc says I must have some arthritis in there.  Try it for a week and see.  See All Glucosamine Products.

9.   Biofreeze Roll-On 3 oz. – Squirt it on, right where you need it.  Fast relief for arthritis, neck pain, back pain, sore muscles and more.  3 oz roll-on is perfect for travel or the office.

See All Biofreeze Products.

10.    Salonpas Pain Relieving Patch -  Apply a patch to your neck or shoulders for temporary relief of stiffness and tightness.  The active ingredients quickly penetrate into your bloodstream to provide spot on, effective pain relief.

See All Arthritis Products.

So you see, warmth really seems to be the key to loosening those joints and to make you move and feel better.  For more information, read “Arthritis Pain – Heat or Ice?”

But no matter where you are in the world, kicking back in your recliner at home or rippin’ gnar pow on your shred sled* in Snow Mass, there are products you may have never imagined, designed to keep you warm and safe in the cold.

Check these out:

Energy Efficient Heaters for Home or Work

Toasty Toes Personal Heater – Deluxe Ergonomic Footrest - use sitting or standing anywhere, anytime.  Adjustable angles.  Never too hot to touch! 

Electric Foot Wamer Mat – great for work!  Fits easily under your desk.  Waterproof.  Quickly dries wet socks, shoes or boots, leaving you dry and warm.

 Cozy-Legs Personal Heater – Under Desk Leg Warmer - Mounts to your desk, wall or optional stand.  Keeps your legs toasty.

 Bed Buddy Heat Therapy Kit - Comes with a sinus pack, hand warmers and foot warmers.  Lightly fragranced with eucalyptus, clove and cinnamon.  You can buy everything separately.  Bed Buddy Back Wrap.  All can be used hot or cold.  See all Bed Buddy products.

Planes, Trains & Automobiles

Dream Sack Airline Comfort Set - As seen on the Today Show, Wall Street Journal and USA Today.  Everything you need to stay warm and cozy on the plane, train, bus or car (no driving with your eye shades on!).  Includes a silk blanket, pillowcase, eye shades and a 12″ storage bag.  All totaled, weighs less than a pound. 

Dream Sack Luxury Travel Kit - You’ll be stylin’ in first class no matter where you’re sitting.  Great for your flight or in your hotel room.  Includes a silk/cashmere blanket, charmeuse silk eyeshades and an outer bag that reverses to a pillowcase.

Outdoors

Cane Ice Grip – Prevents canes and crutches from slipping on icy and snowy surfaces.  Don’t risk a fall!  Get one of these.  It’s only like, $7 bucks and it could save your life or the life of a loved one.  I’m serious.  Don’t make me come over there. 

 Ice-Away Snow and Ice Melt Pad – Much less expensive than embedded systems, this pad prevents show and ice from accumulating outside your door, or wherever you put it.   Line your entire sidewalk!  Great for home doorway entrances, wheelchair ramps, handicap-accessible structures, loading docks, hospitals, nursing homes, hotels, schools or churches.  36″ x 32″.  Plugs into a standard outlet. 

IronClad Cold Condition Glove - Cold weather gloves for workers who need a high level of dexterity.  Wicks away perspiration, breathable, water and oil resistant, non-slip rubber, machine washable.

Grabber Foot Wamers - 5 hours of air-activated warmth.  Case of 30 packs,  2 warmers per pack.  Put them in your shoes or boots, use one time and then throw away.  These are standard equipment for skiers, snowboarders, hunters, campers, hikers, bird watchers or anyone who likes to do stuff outdoors in the cold. Also great for Arthritis, Raynaud’s, Lupus, Scleroderma, Sjogren’s, Myalgia or just poor circulation.

Grabber Peel-n-Stick Adhesive Body Warmer – Box of 40.  A portable heating pad that you wear!  Works for 12+ hours.  Use for minor aches & pains or for warmth outdoors during sporting activities.

Grabber Hand Warmers - Pack of 40, with 2 per pack.   These keep your hands and fingers toasty for more than 10 hours.  Just open the packet and put the warmers in your gloves or pocket and they start working in a few minutes.  No shaking or kneading required.

Emergency Rescue Blanket – another inexpensive way to save your life.  This lightweight blanket should be in every cold-weather car and every backwoods backpack.  It was invented for NASA and is used by militaries, search and rescue, and relief agencies worldwide.

I hope you stay warm and toasty until it’s time to stay cool and frosty.  I’ll be back in a few months with AllegroMedical.com products to help you chill.  You know I will.  Until then,

See all Hand Warmers

See all Foot Warmers

See all Heat / Heating Pads

See all Hot/Cold Therapy

*rippin’ gnar pow on your shred sled means that you’re doing really well on difficult runs while riding atop your snowboard device.  Gnar pow is gnarly powder.  Personally, I’d rather watch ’em carve from my seat atop the bar stool in the lodge.  I’m confident that if I tried snowboarding, I’d spend more time on my back side than my feet.  Perhaps Grabber makes butt warmers . . . hmmmm . . . an idea . . .

AllegroMedical.com carries a huge – and I mean ‘hundreds and hundreds huge’  – inventory of Daily Living Aids designed to help everyone — disabled or not — get things done. 

Stop struggling!  Check out these  nifty kitchen gadgets and eating aids.  You might find a product to help you, or someone you love, make life a little easier.  Ahhh. . .

Kitchen Aids

New!  iTouchless products - Check out these stylish, ‘kitchen-forward’ 21st century gizmos including plastic bag resealers, electronic automatic pepper mill & salt grinder, paper towel dispenser, automatic water dispenser, automatic soap dispenser, recycle bins, trash cans and more.  Great gifts. 

High Chair with Adjustable Arms - Sit up high while working at the kitchen counter or sink with this adjustable height chair.   Weight capacity is 300 lbs. 

  Jar Openers – I use these all the time.   We have a bunch to choose from, including the Hot Hand Protector and Jar Opener.  It’s a hot pad that doubles as a jar opener.  Neat, huh.

Easy-Grip Knives & Utensils - Perfect for weak hands and wrists.  These lightweight, dishwasher safe tools have an ergonimcally angled handle to keep your wrist and hand in a natural position.  Besides the knives, we have a grater, utensil rack, carving fork, cheese slicer, spatula and kitchen shears.  Get them all!

The Rocking “T” Knife is our most popular rocker knife.  It allows easy cutting for people with a weak grasp or the use of only one hand.  Get the carrying case so you can take it with you when you eat out.

See more kitchen knives.

    Paring Boards galore.  There aren’t your everyday paring and cutting boards.  Oh no.  They have special doo hickies that stick up and hold your food in place so you don’t have to chase it around before you cut it.  Some of them even have suction cups on the bottom (so you don’t have to chase the board too!). 

   Scrub brush for one handed use.  It suctions to the counter so you can clean your vegetables, your dishes, your fingernails or even your dentures!  Please don’t use the same one to clean everything, though.  Please.

  Pan Holder - Keep your pans from spinning while you stir with one hand.  Folds for easy storage in your drawer.

 Push/Pull Helper – If you have arthritic hands or weak hands, or short arms, or a bad back, use this nifty stick to push or pull oven racks or hot dishes. How about using it if you don’t want to get burned?  That’s when I would use it. 

Folding Shopping Cart – Okay, not technically a kitchen gadget, but they sell like hot cakes.  Sturdy, super affordable and cool looking, you’ll whisk goods to and fro for years to come with this baby.   Red or black.  Get both.

Eating Aids

  The Scooper Bowls with Suction are our most popular eating aids.  They stick to the table like glue and they are curved on the sides to allow you to get the food onto your fork instead of dumping it over the sides.  Great for children and adults.  See more scoop plates.

  Cutlery – From forks to sporks, angled , built-up, left-handed or comfort-grip, we have what it takes to get the food from your plate to your mouth in the most efficient way possible.  See all Eating Utensils.

Bibs – Keep your clothes clean with these mealtime protectors.  Great for both the eaters and the feeders.

  All eating and no drinking makes Jack a dry boy, so don’t forget your drinking aids!  Drinking straws, nosey cups, spill-proof Kennedy cups, they’re all here.

Is there someone in your life that could use a little help becoming more independent in the kitchen, or at the dining table?  Think about it and have fun poking around our Daily Living Aids sub-categories.  There is a LOT to see.

Other than that, I hope you have a fabulous day.  Thanks again for being an Allegro customer!

-v

When to Use Ice to Treat Arthritis Pain

According to Dr. Kevin Sperber, Board Certified Pain Management Specialist at Columbia University,
“As a general rule of thumb, ice is best for soft tissue musculoskeletal injuries such as bruises, sprains or acute trauma. Cold therapy may also be beneficial if you experience a flare of pain after activity. Cold acts as an analgesic by numbing the sore area and can also drastically reduce swelling and discomfort.”

Traditionally, doctors recommend cold packs be applied for only 10-20 minutes at a time. With prolonged application of cold you could hurt yourself, especially if you have sensory problems or impaired vascular circulation in your hands and feet.

When to Use Heat to Treat Arthritis Pain

Therapeutic Heat is more commonly recommended for arthritis pain because it relaxes tendons and ligaments thereby increasing flexibility and decreasing pain. Heat also increases blood flow and improves joint range of motion.

So why the debate over hot or cold? Dr. Sperber says that for acute injuries (sprains, strains, etc.) just about everyone recommends ice, but for chronic conditions, like arthritis, both cold and heat can help reduce inflammation, so it may come down to whichever feels better to you.

As for how heat should be used, there are competing problems. The trick is to get enough heat into the tissue, for long enough, without burning your skin. For example, hands heat up fairly easily because the tissue is not “deep”, but for deep tissue pain, in the hip for instance, you may need to apply a lower temperature for a longer time. There are specific products that address these issues and each product comes with recommended time usage guidelines.

Most Popular Cold Therapy Products:

Most Popular Hot Therapy Products

* Moist Heat. Arthritic and rheumatic pain is often relieved with moist heat. Moist heat increases blood flow, soothing inflamed joints and increasing flexibility. We suggest the Theratherm Digital Electric Moist Heating Pad, the Thermophore Automatic Moist Heat Pack or the Thermophore Arthritis Pad. There’s also a Therabeads Moist Heat Mitt that you wear on your hands.

Thousands of Allegro Medical customers have found relief with these products. So can you. Order yours today.

Check out all of our hot/cold therapy products or go to our Arthritis category to see all arthritis products.