Stopain products not only provide immediate, penetrating pain relief from arthritis, muscle aches, and back pain but an independent research facility found that Stopain products are non-irritating to the skin and also are non-sensitizing (non-allergenic).

To continue in our commitment of the highest level of quality assurance for all Stopain products, Troy Healthcare, LLC reached out to Clinical Research Laboratories, Inc. (CRL) to conduct a series of tests to ensure that Stopain products were safe to apply on the skin.

The independent research facility, located in Piscataway, NJ, conducted what is known as a “Repeated Insult Patch Test” with all of the Stopain products. 56 participants, between the ages of 18 and 70, received applications of the Stopain products on their skin and had to leave it on for a 24 hour period. Each participant went through 9 applications, and was then graded by a CRL technician at the end of the 24 hours.

The conclusion was that every Stopain product was found to NOT cause skin irritation or sensitization. Just one more step in continuing efforts to being the leader in developing, manufacturing, and packaging innovative health and wellness products that exceed the expectations of our customers.

Please click here to see the conclusion of the Stopain 8oz. Spray Study

Please click here to see the conclusion of the Stopain 4oz. Spray Study

Please click here to see the conclusion of the Stopain 3oz. Roll-On Study

Please click here to see the conclusion of the Stopain 2.5oz. Gel Study

Fatty fish, like salmon, can provide almost a whole days worth of Vitamin D!

If you’re looking for a way to jumpstart a healthier more pain-free YOU, a good place to start would be to make sure you are getting enough Vitamin D. Vitamin D is a super nutrient that is beneficial to your body’s health in more ways than one.

Vitamin D is recommended for arthritis and joint pain, as well as other chronic pain conditions because research shows that people with low levels of Vitamin D experience more joint pain. The main reason is that Vitamin D is good for your bones because it allows your body to absorb the calcium vital to their strength and longevity.

Are you getting enough Vitamin D? There are many factors to having low levels of Vitamin including diet, weight, geography, and even certain medications. Taking prednisone or other corticosteroids (sometimes prescribed in cases of Lupus), can diminish the level of Vitamin D in your body. If you’re concerned with any of these factors affecting your Vitamin D levels, check with your doctor too see how much additional Vitamin D you should be taking on a daily basis. The recommended amount of daily Vitamin D allowance is 600 IU for adults 70 years and younger and 800 IU for 71 and up.

Weight loss can have an impact on improving Vitamin D levels too, not to mention provide less stress on joints. Body fat has been found to trap Vitamin D, so improving your diet and exercise routine will make a positive impact on your overall health.

Sources of Vitamin D. Your body does get Vitamin D naturally from sunlight, however for anyone who lives in the northern part of the United States, there might not be enough sun light year round and with knowing all of the dangers in increased sun exposure, this method of getting Vitamin D really isn’t the best. Fill your diet with Vitamin D fortified foods like milk, yogurts and soy products. Fatty fish such as salmon and tuna can provide enough Vitamin D for almost a whole days worth.

If you’re looking to increase your Vitamin D levels beyond your diet, supplements are a great option. Most multi-vitamins contain levels of Vitamin D, or you can opt for an individual Vitamin D supplement. Just make sure it is Vitamin D-3, as this is the kind of Vitamin D the body naturally makes.

More Benefits. Beyond improving bone health and joint pain, Vitamin D levels have been found to have an impact on depression, blood pressure, and even some cancers. Again, before increasing your daily Vitamin D intake, consult your doctor on how much they would recommend and how.

Since the worldwide recall of Vioxx, new studies show that drugs like ibuprofen and naproxen show an increase risk for cardiovascular disease.

NSAIDs, (non-steroidal anti inflammatories) are medications used by millions of people for relief of pain and inflammation. Many of them are sold over the counter (OTC) for a variety of aches and pains as well as for chronic conditions such as arthritis. Examples are Advil (ibuprofen), Aleve (naproxen), and Motrin (ibuprofen). Over the last several years there has been a continuing debate as to whether NSAIDs exert a safety concern related to cardiovascular disease.

The controversy began in earnest during September of 2004, when Merck & Co., the manufacturer of the blockbuster arthritis drug Vioxx (a prescription NSAID), announced the voluntary, worldwide recall of Vioxx after a clinical trial confirmed previous studies linking Vioxx to serious cardiovascular problems, including heart attack and stroke.

The latest addition to the debate resulted from a very comprehensive meta-analysis (a meta-analysis combines the results of several studies) published on the cardiovascular safety of NSAIDs. It was published in a recent edition of the British Medical Journal. The conclusion of the analysis is that the there is little evidence for the safety of all NSAIDs investigated in the studies of the meta-analysis. The NSAIDs included in the study that are also sold as OTC products were ibuprofen and naproxen and the prescription ones were Lumiracoxib, Celecoxib, Diclofenac and Etoricoxib.

The analysis was conducted by researchers at the University of Bern, Switzerland and its conclusions were quite startling. In essence it points to all of the studied drugs as being responsible for increasing cardiovascular risk not only when taken over long periods of time but possibly also when used for short durations. The article reviewed effects on, myocardial infarction, stroke, cardiovascular deaths and deaths from any cause. Also, the composite of the analysis, as expected showed NSAIDs increasing overall risk.

Of all the drugs tested, naproxen seemed to be the safest. However, its relative risk for stroke was 1.76 (that is 1.76 times the risk over controls), for death from any cause was 1.23 with a composite of 1.22. So even the safest drug studied showed increase risk. In addition, naproxen can cause gastrointestinal distress as a common side effect. The authors concluded, “The options for treatment of chronic musculoskeletal pain are limited and patients and clinicians need to be aware that cardiovascular risk needs to be taken into account when prescribing” these drugs.

The complete study can be viewed here.

Why let travel be any more of a pain than it is just in general?

Whether you’re driving a few hours to the beach or flying abroad, if you suffer from arthritis and chronic pain, the thought of traveling any distance can be unsettling.

It’s important to take precautions prior to travel to make sure that you’re as comfortable and prepared as possible. Dr. Robert Danoff, family physician and program director of The Family Practice Residency at Frankford Hospitals in Philadelphia, PA, provides some expert advice on ways to prepare yourself for traveling.

To start, a great resource is the Society of Accessible Travel and Hospitality. This website provides great tips on how to make your traveling experience not only comfortable, but enjoyable.

Also, you should consult your physician prior to traveling to make sure you have important immunizations (depending on where you’re traveling to) and plenty of medications to not only last you the whole trip, but also a few days extra in case of delays or complications.

Here are a few more chronic pain travel tips to consider:

• If traveling by plane, ask to get priority seating before the plane gets crowded.
• Take nonstop flights if possible to avoid extra walking from gate to gate.
• If a wheelchair is needed, contact the airline ahead of time to make arrangements.
• Use lightweight luggage on wheels.
• If traveling by car, take frequent rest stops to minimize stiffness.
• When booking hotel rooms, choose a handicapped access room, preferably one close to the elevator. These special rooms have devices to make it easier for toileting, showering and getting into and out of the bed.
• Take short trips first to see how they do and to fine-tune your travel routine.
• Consider trip or travel insurance to help pay for medical services in case they are needed.

A high SPF can be deceptive about its ability to protect you from autoimmune flare-ups.

Most people are aware of the serious dangers in increased sun exposure. Especially for people with certain autoimmune disorders, such as Lupus, who run the risk of triggering a painful flare-up if they receive too much exposure. It’s one thing to be aware of the danger, but you also need to educate yourself on the proper way to protect yourself.

Wearing protective clothing is the best way to stay safe in the sun, but there are also important things you should know regarding sunscreens.


Recently, the Environmental Working Group (EWG) published an article on SPF ratings in sunscreens. We want to make sure you are all well aware of what the EWG is finding wrong with high SPF sunblock products.

1. Leads people to believe they can stay in the sun longer. This is not true, and in fact the FDA believes it is misleading to consumers so in 2007 they started to make a move to prohibit companies from labeling sunscreens with an SPF higher than 50.  **Make sure you are reapplying.
2. Increases exposure to potentially hazardous ingredients. About 30% of sunscreens (many being high SPF rating) contain a form of Vitamin A known as retinyl palminate. This ingredient should be avoided due to concerns of it producing skin lesions. Another ingredient to avoid is Oxybenzone, which the EWG recognizes as a “hormone disruptor”. **Make sure you check the ingredients level when buying a sunscreen –  the EWG recommends sunscreens with the minerals zinc or titanium as their active ingredient.
3. Lacks protection from all harmful UV rays in many cases. Look for a broad spectrum protection sunscreen (meaning it protects from both UVA and UVB rays). Many High SPF sunscreens do not protect from the damaging UVA radiation.
**It would be better to use a lower SPF rating with broad spectrum protection and apply it more often, then to use a High SPF sunscreen without broad spectrum protection.
4. Fails to reflect usage reality. SPF ratings are given based on two-to-five times more sunscreen than people actually apply to their skin. When sunscreen makers test to get their product an SPF rating, the volunteers apply 2 milligrams of sunscreen per square centimeter of their skin (as required by the FDA). In reality, people apply one-half to one-fifth the amount of sunscreen used in the SPF test to receive the rating.

Beware the snack attack – which can help leave you with painful, inflamed joints.

Obesity is one of the most serious health problems in the United States and inflammation is a common symptom. So the joint inflammation that causes arthritis might be associated with other health problems.

Many snack foods that people indulge on are linked to increasing joint inflammation and obesity because fat cells produce cytokines – proteins that encourage inflammation.

So the good news is that changing your eating habits can play a big role in reducing inflammation in your joints! Eliminating common snack foods from your diet and adding more fruits and veggies is a great first step in reducing your joint inflammation!

Visit arthritistoday.org for more details on healthy foods to add to your diet!

Sitting for long periods of time can be more stressful than it seems.

Dealing with chronic pain on a daily basis can at times, affect your quality of life. Many are finding ways to deal with their pain and to stay positive, and remaining on the job is a tremendous boost to self-esteem.

Unfortunately there are times that chronic pain can affect your performance as an employee. That’s why it’s important to take a proactive approach to the challenges you may face and be aware of the many ways you can manage your pain in the workplace to keep you performing at you absolute best!

Everydayhealth.com shares some effective practices and tips for the workplace:

1. Take breaks. Use regular breaks as a way to work on your pain management practices. If stretching helps your chronic pain, be sure to do so. Some even squeeze in a short walk or a few minutes of meditation to relieve stress and gain the benefits of additional exercise.
2. Adopt healthy habits. On or off the job, pain management can be helped by eating well and exercising. Inquire about any wellness programs offered by your employer.
3. Tweak your workspace. Examine your work area for ways to minimize pain. Special office chairs, hand rests, foot rests, keyboard trays, and telephone headsets can be tremendously helpful, and many employers can provide these to you.
4. Advocate yourself. Talk to your human resources department about accommodations that could help minimize pain and maximize productivity.
5. Set priorities. Be aware of your health, and don’t push yourself in ways that will cause a setback in your pain management efforts.
6. Be aware of pain management options. Ask your doctor about new ways to deal with your pain. It may be beneficial to meet with an occupational therapist to make on-the-job pain management strategies more effective.

Stir up something scrumptious for yourself or your family today!

Melinda Winner, author of A Complete Illustrated Guide to Cooking with Arthritis (Tate Publishing and Enterprises, LLC, 2009) shared some cooking tips with Arthritis Today Magazine that we just had to share with you!

When Melinda Winner was first diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis nearly 30 years ago, she was devastated. She gave up hope for any chance at a normal life, stopped taking care of herself, and gained 100 pounds. It was the realization of the negative impact her lifestyle was having on her three children that finally energized Winner into taking back her life.

Her first step in getting back on track was to identify her physical challenges, accept them, and work around them. She then started doing light exercise, as well as finding tricks in the kitchen to make her cooking experience easier.

Now she is an accomplished author, who was not only featured on the Food Network, but has also won 50 recipe contests!

Here she shares 20 tips for cooking with Arthritis:

1. Store baking ingredients, coffee and tea in containers with lightweight lift-off lids on your countertop.
2. To accomplish cutting and slicing needs, purchase an ergonomically designed knife with a large handle. This allows you to have leverage and stability using your body weight to maneuver the knife.
3. Store your pots and pans on wall hooks or a pot hanger from the ceiling to eliminate unnecessary bending.
4. When filling or emptying large pots of water use a plant stand for transport and a small plastic measuring cup to transfer the water.
5. When you have a lot of prep work to do, sit at the table instead of standing.
6. Purchase a rubber mat to stand on when you are cooking at the stove. The padding helps prevent back and leg pain.

Read the rest of her tips at www.arthritistoday.org.

We're pedaling some helpful – and healthful – advice, here!

Some people will only exercise when they’re trying to “work out pain” from somewhere on their body. But why not change your lifestyle to always include exercise, whether or not you are in pain??

Many people are turning to alternative ways to manage their pain, such as daily exercise, massage therapy, and acupuncture. While all of these options have their own unique benefits, perhaps daily exercise provides the most benefit to people living with chronic pain.

• Daily exercise provides more than just pain relief!
• There are obvious health benefits, such as preventing or managing high blood pressure.
• It helps you maintain a healthy weight, resulting in more energy throughout your day.
• It promotes much better sleeping habits, due to increased physical activity during the day.
• And it simply puts you in a better mood. A LOT can be said for positive thinking!

Daily exercise is very important, but it’s just as important not to overdo it. For those living with a higher level of chronic pain, try taking a light yoga class or simply going on daily walks.

If you are looking for a more intense exercise routine, make sure you work with a qualified fitness professional to learn the appropriate form and routine to achieve your results. The last thing you want to do is make your pain worse.

Why not harvest some lasting memories with your loved ones today?

Fall is now upon us and with that comes apple picking, pumpkin carving, leaf raking, and pie making!

All of these activities, though enjoyable, can become difficult and painful for those of us suffering from arthritis.

So let’s take a look at some new ways arthritis sufferers are managing their pain and put it behind them, so they can start concentrating on getting the most out of life!

Biking can be a great way to get outdoors and see the spectacular scenery the Fall foliage displays. By making sure you are equipped with the essential bike accessories you can protect your joints and get moving! Click here to see what Arthritis Today suggests for ensuring your safety before you hit the bike trails.

Specialty dance classes are a fun way to not only get into shape and maintain a healthy lifestyle, but it can also help keep your mind on the fun and positive things in life, rather than being consumed by the thought of your daily joint pain. Zumba is a popular class right now that can be modified for people with arthritis. Studies have shown that people with rheumatoid arthritis who take part in dance-based exercise have found an improvement in mobility and joint pain. For more information and to learn about other specialty dance classes, click here.

Wii Fitness is an exciting way to stay active in the comfort of your own home. Unlike traditional video games and even the newer Wii Sports that utilize hand held controllers, Wii Fitness has a hands-free balance board that can do strength training and even yoga and is ideal for people with arthritis. Click here for more information.