Muscle And Joint Pain : Flodol Heat

Thousands of years ago, ancient peoples attributed pain to spirits and treated it with mysticism and incantations. Over the centuries, science has provided us with a remarkable ability to understand and control pain with medications, surgery, and other treatments. Today, scientists understand a great deal about the causes and mechanisms of pain, and research has produced dramatic improvements in the diagnosis and treatment of a number of painful disorders.

Heat has been one of the most effective ways to help control pain for thousands of years.  Heat helps to control pain, inflammation and speeds the healing process. Heat rubs are nowadays very common for the relief of pain such as arthritis, rheumatic pain, backache, lumbago and muscle sprains. Flodol heat is used often in sports before and after high performance exercise.

FLODOL HEAT by Alta Care Laboratoires is a deep-heat-rub for muscle or joint pain. Flodol Heat is a classic heat rub with the combination of menthol and the anti inflammatory ingredient methyl salicyclate. However now Alta Care Laboratoires  has added three synergistic ingredients, glucosamine, MSM (methylsulfonylmethane), and chondroitin to this formula.

GLUCOSAMINE, also called chitosamine, is a natural substance that is found in the covering of shellfish. It is available in different forms, including glucosamine hydrochloride, N-acetyl-glucosamine (NAG), and glucosamine sulfate, which is a combination of glucosamine and mineral salt. The body absorbs glucosamine well. In recent years, glucosamine has been extensively studied as an arthritis treatment, and it has been shown to greatly relieve the mobility problems of those with osteoarathritis, a painful degenerative disease of the joints. The compound helps slow the deterioration process, repairing bone and cartilage damage, reduces inflammation and acts as a relief for joint pain. Glucosamine in Flodol heat is an excellent product for all people taking glucosamine supplements because the topical action compliments the oral action.

MSM (METHYLSULFONYLMETHANE) is a chemical found in plants , animals and humans. It can also be made in a laboratory. It is used in medical devices for chronic pain, pain relief and inflammation. Several studies show that MSM in combination with glucosamine and chondroitin is very effective.

CHONDROITIN is an ingredient that along with glucosamine has become one of the most important supplements for osteoarthritis. Chondroitin sulfate is a major component of extracellular matrix, and is important in maintaining the structural integrity of the tissue and cartilage. Loss of chondroitin sulfate from the cartilage is a major cause of osteoarthritis.

MENTHOL is an organic compound obtained from peppermint or other mint oils. Menthol is included in many products for a variety of reasons amongst which as a topical analgesic to relieve muscle and joint aches and pains. The menthol odour is characteristic of Flodol Heat. 

FLODOL HEAT has an immediate warming and long lasting symptomatic effect. FLODOL HEAT helps to reduce the intensity and the frequency of discomfort especially when it is chronic. FLODOL HEAT is effective when applied on joints, muscles, tendons and ligaments when there are contusions. FLODOL HEAT has different modes of action to improve flexibility and is very effective in cases of arthritis.

FLODOL HEAT sells in a 200ml bottle which means 3 to 4 times larger than competing heat rubs. The standard size of anti-inflammatory gels is 50ml. FLODOL HEAT may be applied as often as required by rubbing in and leaving for the heating effect. It is not to be applied on irritated skin or wounds.

Flodol Ice Cryogel : A Muscle Relaxant

FLODOL ICE CRYOGEL produced by Alta Care Laboratoires is aMUSCLE-RELAXANT. The human body has approximately 640 skeletal muscles and every one is part of a pair of bilateral muscles, found on both sides. Muscles can be categorized as relating to the head and neck, to the torso or trunk, to the upper limbs, and those to the lower limbs. Skeletal muscle is anchored by tendons to the bone and is used to effect skeletal movement and locomotion and in maintaining posture.


Application of the Flodol cold gel after exercise is often recommended as a means of improving motor skills, fitness, muscle and bone strength, and joint function. Flodol cold gel after exercise has several effects upon muscles, connective tissue, bone, and the nerves that stimulate muscles.

FLODOL ICE CRYOGEL of Alta Care Laboratoires, besides being a muscle-relaxant,  is also a massage cryogel that gives a cold effect to improve  micro-circulation. The cold effect of Flodol Ice Cryogel improves the penetration of its active ingredients and has the advantage of acting not only as  an anti-inflammatory, but also for pain relief.

FLODOL ICE CRYOGEL will help ease pain for a number of ailments, such as:

• sore muscles and muscle sprains,  
• back, shoulder and neck pain,
• painful ankle, knee, hip and elbow joints,
• muscle strains.

Flodol ice has a combination of the ingredients of LICORICE/LIQUORICE and GLUCOSAMINE.

Licorice - from the latin word "liquiritia" - is known for its sweetening characteristic. Licorice is a perennial herb and a member of the pea family. Native to southern Europe, Asia and the Mediterranean, it is extensively cultivated in Russia, Spain and India. The plant is prized for its roots, which contain glycyrrhizic acid. This acid, which is extracted from the roots, is used as a flavoring in food, tobacco, alcohol, cosmetics and candy. The ancient Greeks, Egyptians, Chinese and Hindus recognized the natural medicinal qualities of licorice. Having tremendous therapeutic properties it has been used by the Chinese for more than 5000 years. Hippocrates called it ‘sweet root’. The Greeks used licorice as a thirst quencher and to relieve swelling caused by water retention.

FLODOL ICE CRYOGEL is the ideal product, not only for those suffering from muscular pain, but also for athletes. Every athlete must concentrate particularly on the well-being of his or her muscles.

Flodol Glucosamine : How To Restore Flexibility

Following are the details of a randomized, double blind study on the effects of a topical cream containing Glucosamine Sulfate for osteoarthritis of the knee.

The study was done by Marc Cohen, Rory Wolfe, Trudy Mai and Daniel Lewis.

Objective
To assess the ability of a topical preparation of glucosamine sulfate and chondroitin sulfate to reduce pain related to osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee.

Methods
63 patients were randomized to receive either a topical glucosamine and chondroitin preparation or placebo to be used as required over an 8-week period. Efficacy was assessed using a visual analog scale (VAS) for pain as well as the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC), and the SF-36 questionnaire.

Results
VAS scores indicated a greater mean reduction in pain for the glucosamine/chondroitin preparation group (mean change - 3.4cm, SD 2.6cm) compared to the placebo group (mean change - 1.6cm, SD 2.7cm) after 8 weeks. After 4 weeks the difference between active and placebo groups in their mean reduction from baseline was 1.2 (95 per cent CI 0.1 to 2.4, p = 0.03) and after 8 weeks was 1.8 (95 per cent CI for difference between groups, 0.6 to 2.9cm; p = 0.002).

Conclusion
Topical application of glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate is effective in relieving the pain from OA of the knee and improvement is evident within 4 weeks.

Glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate have been consistently shown to be agents of low toxicity that may relieve the pain and joint stiffness associated with osteoarthritis (OA). Longterm use of glucosamine may reduce radiographic progression of OA of the knee, suggesting it may be a chondroprotective, disease modifying agent in OA of the knee.

Although rapidly absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract, pharmacokinetic data show that when administered orally, glucosamine is subject to uptake and degradation by the liver and uptake into non-joint tissues so that the dose reaching the articular cartilage is a fraction of a percentage of the oral dose. While glucosamine has been shown to be active when given intramuscularly, direct topical application into the dermis surrounding an affected joint may potentially deliver a more concentrated dose to the affected area.

Chondroitin sulfate has also been shown to be effective in reducing OA pain and to enhance the pain relieving action of glucosamine, despite poor gastrointestinal bioavailability when administered orally. Chondroitin sulfate may further act as a carrier substance to enhance dermal penetration of topical substances. The study examines the use of a topical glucosamine/chondroitin sulfate preparation containing camphor and peppermint oil in relieving pain from OA of the knee.

Ouch ... That hurts : Flodol Is Here

Pain is an unpleasant sensory and emotional experience associated with actual or potential tissue damage. It results from the interaction between three compounds of the nervous system: the peripheral nerve, the spinal cord and the brain. Pain messages are sent from the peripheral nerve to a section of the spinal cord called the dorsal horn and to a section of the brain called the thalamus.

There are two kinds of pain: ACUTE PAIN is temporary and may be caused by injuries such as bruises, cuts, strains, sprains and fractures; and CHRONIC PAIN that is caused by injuries, conditions and diseases. Conditions that cause chronic pain include back pains, neck pains, joint pains, arthritis, fibromyalgia, cancer pains, AIDS pains, neuropathic pain, cranial pain etc.. The severity of chronic pain may be mild, moderate or severe.

Pain overwhelms many aspects of our lives. Personal relationships and work productivity may suffer; appetite may be reduced; pain may limit mobility and prevent performance of daily tasks; pain may also take an emotional and psychological toll, cause irritability, give rise to hopelessness, and at times even to suicide.

Three symptoms are related to pain: suffering, sleeplessness and sadness. These are known as the TERRIBLE TRIAD. When untreated, or undertreated, pain can create an extreme rise in pain levels and anxiety. On the other hand, when pain undergoes pain-management, a patient’s quality of life improves and the vicious circle of an ever- increasing pain is alleviated. Patients who manage to keep their pain under control will be less stressed physically and emotionally. They will be able to sleep, focus on work, and enjoy social activities and relationships with their loved ones.

The primary goal of PAIN THERAPY is to return the patient to optimal function. Treatments can be classified as NON-MEDICAL or MEDICAL.

Non-medical treatment options include: observation, rest, stretching, exercise, weight reduction, heat and ice application, and other treatments such as acupuncture, chiropractic, massage, manipulation, electrical stimulation, biofeedback, hypnosis and surgical procedures.

Medical treatments are carried out with the administration of analgesics and anti-inflammatories. An analgesic (colloquially known as a painkiller), is any member of the diverse group of drugs used to relieve pain (achieve analgesia). The word analgesic derives from Greek an- ("without") and -algia ("pain"). Analgesic drugs act in various ways on the peripheral and central nervous systems.

ALTA CARE Laboratoires – Paris has produced a wide range of therapeutic products :

The FLODOL PATCH is effective in reducing the intensity and frequency of pain when applied on joints, muscles, tendons and ligaments. It has a rapid onset of action and is fast acting; it is a trans-dermal and anti-inflammatory treatment.

The active ingredients of the  FLODOL ARTRO AMPOULES do not undergo any radical changes as they are not processed; remaining fresh they are thus more effective in reducing the intensity and frequency of pain; the ampoules treat acid-base imbalance, inflammation, demineralisation, toxins, etc. 

The FLODOLOR FLEXI SYRUP is a supplement that helps the trophism of the bone tissue, joints and muscles. It also helps to reduce the intensity and frequency of discomforts.

The FLODOL HEAT PATCH is an original formulation based on essential oils. It has an immediate warming and long lasting effect. The application helps to relieve the sensation of rheumatism and muscular pain.

The FLODOL ICE  CRYOGEL MASSAGE gives a cold effect that improves micro-circulation. The cold effect improves the penetration of active ingredients which relieve pain, besides acting as an anti-inflammatory.

Flodol Pain Relief : Devil's Claw

Devil's claw (Harpagophytum procumbens) is an African plant whose fruit looks like a giant claw. The plant grows in an arid climate and is found in Namibia, Madagascar, the Kalahari Desert, and other areas on the African continent. The tuberous roots are used in traditional medicine. The root is collected when the rainy season ends. The root is chopped and dried in the sun for three days. Devil's claw is also known as grapple plant and wood spider.

Traditional healers have used Devil's Claw to treat inflammatory conditions such as arthritis, rheumatism, and lower back pain. Current uses for devil's claw are much the same as they were centuries ago. The herb is still a remedy for arthritis and other types of joint pain, such as rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, and gout (a painful joint inflammation disease). Devil's claw is also used for soft tissue conditions with inflammation, like tendinitis and bursitis.

Alta Care Laboratoires - Paris, boasts a unique range of over-the-counter products containing Devil's Claw.

Such products are part of the Flodol Range. Constant use of Flodol products will help reduce the frequency and intensity of pain.

Flodol Patches and Flodol Icegel are the most popular in the Flodol range, giving very high sales to ALTA CARE Laboratoires. Flodol Patches and Flodol Icegel, unlike painkillers, treat the core of the problem with 12 different modes of action.

Flodol Patches and Flodol ice are indicated for chronic pain and may be applied on many parts of the body such as the neck, arms, shoulders, back, legs, feet etc and help in muscle pain, tendon pain, joint pain and general aches and pains.

Flodol Ice is available in 200ml bottles which means 3 to 4 times bigger than the traditional anti-inflammatory gels. Flodolor Patch are available in boxes of 10 or 30 and may be purchased from any pharmacy