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PainPod on Health & Fitness 360 (UK)

Lou Robinson: Good afternoon. Welcome to Friday. This is Lou Robinson on Health and Fitness 360 bringing you all the latest tips on nutrition, exercise, and general health. My next interviewee, who is the CEO of PainPod.co.uk, which was launched in the UK this week, and I've interviewed Rick Rowan to talk about this fantastic new device. Here we go. Welcome back, Rick Rowan, who's the CEO of PainPod. Thank you so much again for being on the show. It's such an interesting launch that you've had in the last week or two, and it's such a great innovative product that I think will help so many people that, as you said yourself, you suffered chronic back pain.

Lou Robinson: You've had your own issues, which of course have linked into your interest in marketing and promoting this product. Just out of interest in terms of development stages, my curiosity is how long did it take to develop this to the actual PainPod itself, the first system?

Rick Rowan: The formulations used in the main device are an ongoing, we're always updating, and we're doing some now ... Not that it's going to be any better, just so that we can cover as we learn from new science and new discoveries and new studies particular frequency sets that we may be able to introduce to the product, but it's an ongoing development and we don't believe that it will stand still. We believe it will keep going. The Mi or Mi device, the microcurrent device, the ultra-wearable, the world launch that we've just had here in the UK, it took two years of development, and the studying & understanding of microcurrent technology, which is not a pain blocker.

Rick Rowan: It works on the symptom itself, the injured or cellular trauma. When we're in pain and we have inflammation, or we have injured or damaged tissue, that tissue current drops, and microcurrent in its most basic form helps to accelerate the normalization of that damage or repair, so basically to assist healing. It's also used in wound healing in hospitals.

Lou Robinson: Oh, really?

Rick Rowan: Yeah. Even used currently in the UK, microcurrent for wound healing. Now we are making this available. If it heals wounds, it will heal other tissue. This is now available over the counter to the population at large. They can buy it. The special thing we've done is, because microcurrent is not fast acting, but it is very effective acting, we've introduced a pain relief booster button, which is proprietary, once you press that button it gives you 15 minutes of effective nerve stimulation for pain relief, so you get that fast-acting pain relief along with it working on the cause of the symptom.

Lou Robinson: It's almost like a preventative stage where you can actually, instead of waiting for the pain to happen, you're managing it with these, as you say, these 15-minute hits, so to speak. There's so many different ways-

Rick Rowan: Yes you could. If you had a lower back problem or a bad knee, arthritis of the knee, something like this, putting the Mi device on it, which would normally be for a few hours at least, it has no sensation so you don't feel anything, but if you were starting to ... The pain was building that day because you might have done something or you just needed relief now, you just simply need to touch the button, and it's fairly instant.

Lou Robinson: Yeah. It works on a deep cellular in terms of helping that. I've been very lucky because I've been trying out the devices this week, and I have to say they're quite remarkable because, as I said-

Rick Rowan: They are, thank you.

Lou Robinson: Really remarkable, because I've had to, because of my long-term back problem, I've used Neurofen and codeine. I'm one of those people that have been using opioids, and I think it's really great to have an alternative, and to have that empowerment, I think, because you're so reliant on this drug, whereas this is, I feel like it's a supportive, preventative, but also as you say, it work instantly. To have it at hand, rather than thinking you go through all that process of having to jump through hoops to get any pain relief. To actually have that with you at all times is ...

Rick Rowan: And it's so small and light you can wear it under your clothes. You could take it with you in your pocket, really. It's that sort of size, and as you say, it's the empowerment. It's giving the control, so it's not like ingesting something and then you've basically lost all modus of control. You can affect, particularly with the main device, how strongly you want the application, how gentle you want it, when you can use it, all day, all night. Sleep with it on. It really doesn't matter, but it really does hand that control back to the user.

Lou Robinson: Yeah, I do think that's really important. I think, by the way, just on a different level is that just looking at it, by the way, people need to go to PainPod.co.uk because the actual packaging, which I know is a superficial part of it, but I have to mention it because I was so impressed when I received it. It is beautifully packaged. Just using it, I have to confess I didn't go straight to the instructions. I literally looked at the device, I put it on- Rick Rowan: You're not the only one, Louise. (laughs)

Lou Robinson: I just wanted to see for myself in terms of user friendly. I wanted to give it the trial without, just see how first I could work it, because I think a lot of things are, we do so much with computers and buttons and other pods that we can use that we know how to use certain instructions. I followed it myself, and I managed to get it going, so that was good.

Rick Rowan: That's excellent.

Lou Robinson: I just really wanted to say that it is a very user-friendly device. To have the elements, for me as I said as a back pain sufferer, to have the belt and the best, and to have Mi ... Just to explain to listeners that you have these three options available. You can correct me if I'm wrong. If we go through them, as I said, go to PainPod.co.uk if you're listening online. We have the main one. Then we have the Mi, which you can wear, as you said, under the clothes, which is a small device. It's not bulky, is it?

Rick Rowan: No, it's very small.

Lou Robinson: Yeah, it's very small. You have the different settings. Again, you have the control with the settings, and then you have the belt that you can wear around your back which is better than a back brace, really.

Rick Rowan: Yeah, especially since it's treating you at the same time, it's wonderful.

Lou Robinson: I know, I know, because in the past, again, being a back sufferer, I've used those when I've gone out. I've worn the heat wraps, the heat wraps that you can buy, throwaway ones. Again, this gives you the opportunity to, again, as I said, because you can control the levels of support while you're out and about, which is incredibly empowering. If someone was going to buy, if somebody had a budget and they wanted to buy, what would you suggest they bought, first of all, just the main pod?

Rick Rowan: The main device has essentially 12 different formulation treatment recipes. Just to put that into perspective, if you went to a doctor for pain killer or pain relief medication, the doctor might prescribe you something, and they'll say to you, "See how that goes. If it's not doing what you want, then come back and see me, and we'll look at some other alternative." You've got 12 options already in the device, so if one mode's not working for you, you can simply try a different formulation protocol because we've designed 12 of them, and within those 12 are additional formulations. You've got so many options, if you're an acute or chronic sufferer or you really need relief, then I would say that the main device is your best first option.

Rick Rowan: By the same token, the little Mi or Mi device, we don't argue about the name. You can call it as you like.

Lou Robinson: I called it Mi, didn't I?

Rick Rowan: That's all right. It is a highly effective little device on its own because it's working on the cause. Generally we would say, "Look, you use the main device for a 20 to 30-minute treatment, and once that area is nice and relaxed and relieved, you pop the Mi on and let it do its job, even if you wanted to sleep with it on." If you had a first choice, the larger device. If you're on a budget, of course, or wanted to step your toe in the water with the technology, then there's absolutely nothing wrong with using the Mi as a first option.

Lou Robinson: Yeah, the Mi, because as you said, the Mi option, you could have it overnight working while you're sleeping, which again is a great tool to maintain those levels and allow you to, as I said, have that extra ... It's just like a sense of comfort, as well, I think, as well.

Rick Rowan: Yeah. Look, microcurrent's also been effective for onset muscle soreness, so if you've strained yourself that day or you've gone a bit over-the-top with your exercise, or you've got a bit of neck strain, it's absolutely perfect for that.

Lou Robinson: Yeah, yeah, I can certainly see why. Having it to hand is very important to be able to travel with it. We're going to talk more about the PainPods, and on our competition that we have running this week. Guys, I have been offering you all week this opportunity to win the whole set of PainPods. You are very, very lucky because it's worth about 400 pounds plus, so you're lucky to be in with the chance. I've been running it every hour on the hour this week, and I'll be announcing the winner at the end of my program as the reason why you think you deserve to have the whole collection. What do you think? How would you say, Rick, in terms of, what would you say would be the main reason? Obviously people that have chronic pain, but how would you sell it to someone?

Rick Rowan: As in who should be eligible?

Lou Robinson: Yeah. In terms of, I should say more the whole packaged, because what we're offering is the main PainPod, the Mi, and we're also offering the belt. They're basically getting every single option available.

Rick Rowan: Yeah, which is the ultimate health pack, pain relief pack, recovery pack. It covers all of those areas. Yeah, somebody is going to be very lucky.

Lou Robinson: Very, very lucky.

Rick Rowan: Yeah. We're grateful for the opportunity to help more people know about an effective alternative, and so in giving something back, we're very happy to do so.

Lou Robinson: No, no, I appreciate that because we have got the competition, not only advertised on the hour, but we've also got it on our website. If you go to the first page, guys, at Secklow FM, you will see the competition on there, as well, and you can also email me at lou@secklow, and again, give me a reason why you would like to have the ultimate health pack, because it is. If you're a family who has ... We go through different stages where we might have injuries or other problems, the parents, the children, so really if you had the pack, you'd be very lucky to hand out, if you got a family that have got problems.

Rick Rowan: Yeah. This is a thing, is the technology and the treatment that PainPod provides is safe for pretty much all ages from young children through to the elderly, and everybody in between including pregnant mothers, post recovery from pregnancy or birth. My eight year old daughter has been using it for three years now.

Lou Robinson: Really?

Rick Rowan: Yes, for growing pains. She used to wake up in the middle of the night in tears and starting asking for it. She knew it was related to pain, so we'd pop it on her leg for ten minutes. She'd be asleep. I'd just peel the pads off and she was good till morning. Now she just does it herself. So do my younger ones, but they need a bit of supervision.

Lou Robinson: Of course, of course. Is it something that she literally will grow out of in terms of her situation? This has obviously been a godsend for her.

Rick Rowan: Yes. Yeah, it's a less for her now. She used to get it every month or couple of months, and now she might ... Recently, I can't remember after the last time. It might have been a few months ago, but she does seem to be growing out of it, which is a good thing. Obviously, it must hurt often, and she uses it.

Lou Robinson: Sure. Bless. It good that she has you as a dad. Very lucky.

Rick Rowan: She doesn't know anything about pain killers. She only knows about PainPod

Lou Robinson: Sure, sure, absolutely. Absolutely. The launch this week in the UK, do you have an MD here and an office here that, again, will be running the show?

Rick Rowan: We do. We've got a small, at the moment, enthusiastic team on the ground in UK. They've been amazing. Starting anything new in a market or a country is challenging, to say the least, but the people that we already have on our team are amazing, doing an amazing job. Actually, they're going to be out at the Battersea Ski and Snow Show on the weekend doing free demonstrations, sorry a free plug there, Louise.

Lou Robinson: Yeah, absolutely. Go for it, anything. Say anything you like.

Rick Rowan: Yes. If people are out and about going to the Ski and Snow Show, there's going to be a small retail team there letting people trial the product.

Lou Robinson: Excellent. That's really, really good. You're obviously here for the launch, but then your team will carry on with the whole promotion, the advertising and everything else. Rick Rowan: Yes, we've got full support and administrative support and customer support team already in the UK, as well as a marketing research team for local application, as well actually. Myself and my family are moving to the UK at the end, early new year.

Lou Robinson: Are you? Okay.

Rick Rowan: Yes.

Lou Robinson: How do your children feel about leaving Australia, dare I ask?

Rick Rowan: They're excited for the adventure.

Lou Robinson: Are they? What age groups are they?

Rick Rowan: One through to eight.

Lou Robinson: Right, okay.

Rick Rowan: Four of them.

Lou Robinson: four? Oh, my word. That is an adventure for them, definitely, because I'm going the other way. I'm going to Australia in February. I'm going to Gold Coast.

Rick Rowan: We may cross paths. My office is in the Gold, so you're welcome to pop in.

Lou Robinson: Yeah, my brother lives there. I'm only going for a month. I'm going to see. He's now a citizen of the country, and took his test or whatever. Yeah, he's living over there on the coast. He loves it. Yeah. You're moving over to the UK, and you'll take over the operation in terms of heading that up?

Rick Rowan: Correct. UK is a very interesting market for us. A lot of more flexibility, with working with things like ... At the moment we're working with the Paula Carr Diabetes Trust to help diabetics with neuropathic pain as well as lower limb circulation. These types of things are actually a lot easier for us to do in the UK than Australia due to TGA restrictions, etc. We see the UK as a market where we can make a good impact helping as many people as possible. As well, we launch in France next month.

Lou Robinson: Really?

Rick Rowan: Yes. It's really necessary, I suppose, to be a little bit closer by and more to hand.

Lou Robinson: Sure. Of course, I can understand that. What we'll do, now that I know that, is that whoever wins the competition, I will certainly ask them to come back with their feedback, and maybe when you're settled you can come back, and you can both talk together on one of my shows, and talk about the PainPod, and how it's helped their lives.

Rick Rowan: Would love to.

Lou Robinson: Yeah, whoever is the winner. Then you can have you both on, and they can talk about their journey, and can see where you are in terms of after the France launch, and then maybe in the new year revisit the whole journey. It sounds fascinating, and such an incredible product. I feel very lucky to actually have one in my hands now. I would recommend everyone go to PainPod.co.uk and keep listening to the competition throughout the week. Such a pleasure to have you on, Rick. Really lucky.

Rick Rowan: Thank you, Louise. I'm really grateful.

Lou Robinson: No problem at all, and good luck with the rest of the week. We'll obviously be liaising, let you know who the winner is, and again, we'll touch base in the new year and see where you're at. It'll be interesting to find out all what the developments have been. Good luck.

Rick Rowan: Thank you.

Lou Robinson: Enjoy the rest of the week, and thanks for being on the show, Rick.

Rick Rowan: Thank you very much.

Lou Robinson: Thank you. Take care. Bye bye.

Rick Rowan: Bye bye.

Lou Robinson: Bye bye. Hi, there. That was my interview with Rick Rowan, the CEO of PainPod, and I'm very happy to announce we do have a winner of the competition that's been running this week. This is for a lady who has climbed Kilimanjaro twice, and has done a lot of fundraising herself in terms of charities, and has suffered some chronic pain. This is a fabulous prize for her and very well deserved, so congratulations to Jane Corindie from Medbourne in Milton Keynes. The PainPod will be, the whole selection will be on the way to you in the post in the next couple of days. We look forward to hearing your feedback and talking to Rick again when he comes back in the new year. Well done, Jane. Congratulations. Very well deserved, and...