[dlshaffer]

...thought I would throw this one out there! (LOL some of the answers were great). Big one page ad in our local paper today. All this stuff sounds good, but you do have to wonder if it is so great, why hasn't it been around before. Anyway, here it is:

http://www.biotechresearch.com/catal...80c0e273feeebb

[Wing42]

The first sentence in the ad reads, "Combining the most amazing pain relieving technologies: Infrared Heat and Massage Therapy with the ancient pain relieving principle of Reflexology, the phenomenal new FOOT CHOICE Foot Massager is now available to the general public."

1. None of these is "amazing".

2. Everything warm emits "infrared heat".

3. For most of us, heat makes our neuropathy symptoms worse.

4. What's the difference between massage and "massage therapy". I bet the gizmo just vibrates, and they call it massage.

5. Your feet on rubber prickles isn't reflexology. Anyway, there is little scientific backing for reflexology.

6. "Now available to the general public" implies that it was only available to some very exclusive group before. I guess we can all be like Donald Trump and Derek Jeter (or the female equivalent), finally, if we buy this phenomenal foot massager.

7. What's in a name? I think I'll one-up "Biotechresearch" and call my my company "Advanced Bio-Research Foundation".

8. For fun, you can click on the little picture in the upper right corner of the ad to enlarge it. I bet the product works at least that well.

9. For fun, you can check out their other products.

There oughta be a law. As Queen Victoria used to say, "We are not amused."

[Wing42]

Dear Diana,

I just realized that my reply isn't kind or loving. I apologize for its bluntness. Nothing personal is intended. It’s just that I get upset at all the quacks and huskers selling unlikely and unproven so-called remedies taking advantage of peoples' pain and suffering. Even if their remedies work, they're way overpriced. That $80 massager probably cost about $10 or less to make. The sellers know that the verbiage in the web site is overblown and manipulative and that there is no evidence for the massager's effectiveness. Otherwise, they would have included supportive scientific studies on their website.

Even if the unit works as advertised, the pricing is set to take advantage of sick people's desperation. An example of that is "The Rebuilder". I think it's very effective, and performs as advertised. Still, the original selling price was about $1,000, to take advantage of (meaning to gouge) Medicare. When Medicare stopped covering the exorbitant cost, Rebuilder Medical lowered the price to about $500. That's the price I paid for an early model. I've seen it since for as low as $300. It reduced my pain dramatically, but the price left a very sour taste in my mouth. The unit costs $30 at most to build...probably less. The company continues to gouge for vastly overpriced supplemental materials after the initial sale. I must however point out in good conscience that the company has provided superb support over the years and the unit has lasted for about 6 years of hard use.

I'll stick with my analysis in the first post, if not the tone. We have to be leery of crooks and charlatans taking advantage of our misery for their own enrichment, without providing relief and without promoting health in return.

I hope the bluntness of my reply didn’t upset you. May you and yours have a very happy Christmas or Chanukah, and a Happy, Healthy, and Prosperous New Year.

[dlshaffer]

...you did not upset me in the least. As I said a few weeks ago, I am feeling more comfortable with all of you who have been around together for a long time and this is leading me to be able to post inquiries like this (and the foot cream!).

You not only helped me, but all the others who viewed this information. It is through this type of interaction that we all help each other in our newfound community.

My best wishes also for a wonderful Christmas and may 2007 be healthy for you and your family.

[Adastra]

I have to come in here and agree with everything David has said about the foot massager. Sometime in 2005 I purchased the identical model as illustrated and it was called the “Medisana Thermoped”. It can still be purchased at http://www.doddmed.com/massage.htm .

I used this as instructed at all strengths with and without the infrared heat and I can honestly say that it took me several days to get over the feeling of vibrating feet!!
It is truly not for PN. It may well suit some other forms of pain although I find it rather difficult to imagine that a high degree of vibrating nodules on already painful feet will really help!

There are other much more gentler massaging devices on the market but can one really better a personal foot massage? The trouble with mine is they are so numb they require lengthy needing!!

Happy Christmas Diana and David

Tony