Since we’re already in the process of controlling everything with our phones, why not our muscle relief treatments? Philips is doing just that with the BlueTouch, a wireless TENS (transcutaneous electronic nerve stimulation) device that you can control on an iPhone.
TENS devices, of course, have been around for years, helping ease both chronic and acute muscle pains for many individuals. Philips’ new device does exactly the same thing as those, passing electric current over a person’s skin to activate the underlying nerves and stimulate the body’s pain-suppressing capabilities. Except, it looks a lot more like a slick, modern gadget, complete with full wireless functionality, so you can keep the device under your commuter jacket (or whatever you’re wearing) the entire time you’re out of the house.
The Philips BlueTouch consists of two types of slim, wearable patches with onboard batteries: one for the lower back and a two-patch version for other body parts. To use, simply slap them onto the parts of your body requiring a little therapy and launch the accompanying PulseRelief iOS app to control the kind of stimulation it delivers. It uses blue LED light to stimulate the release of nitric oxide in the body, in order to spur its natural recovery processes, enhance oxygen supply, and improve metabolite removal. Philips claims their own studies have shown the device to post excellent results on test subjects, with 76 percent of patients reporting they went from moderate/severe pain intensity to mild after two weeks with the BlueTouch. The app comes with 15 targeted TENS programs, 5 EMS programs, and 60 intensity levels.
The Philips BlueTouch will be available later this month.
