Thera-Band product awarded APMA Seal of Acceptance

April 21, 2011 — The American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA) has awarded the APMA Seal of Acceptance to the Thera-Band First Step to Foot Relief, a first-line treatment plan for heel pain.

The seal is awarded to a product after the Committee on Podiatric Seals, a standing committee of the American Podiatric Medical Association, scientifically evaluates and determines whether the product allows normal foot function and promotes quality foot health.

The First Step to Foot Relief provides the podiatrist with an at-home treatment plan designed to enhance their in-clinic service with professional tools and an easy-to-follow program. The product was developed under the direction of practicing podiatrists, physical therapists, and chiropractors to address heel pain.

“Over two million Americans suffer from heel pain, the most common ailment seen in podiatry today,” stated Elizabeth DeFranco, podiatry marketing manager at Performance Health.

“Our new First Step to Foot Relief provides a podiatrist with guided options to improve their patient’s well-being and to enhance their level of service for patients with heel pain. We are very pleased that the First Step to Foot Relief received the APMA’s Seal of Acceptance, which further validates the product’s value and impact.”

The APMA Seal of Acceptance recognizes products that have been found to be beneficial to foot health and of significant value when used in a consistently applied program of daily foot care and regular professional treatment.

Ms. DeFranco continued, “We are also pleased to announce that Biofreeze Pain Reliever has again been awarded of the APMA Seal of Approval, in addition to being recognized in the 2010 Podiatry Magazine’s annual survey as the most dispensed topical analgesic in the podiatry market.”

The APMA Seal of Approval evaluates the use of therapeutic agents and their adjuncts, and like the Seal of Acceptance, it is awarded after the Committee on Podiatric Seals conducts a scientific evaluation and determines that the product allows normal foot function and promotes quality foot health.

Additionally, for both seals, evidence of usefulness and safety must be established, either by an appropriately recognized laboratory or clinical investigation, or by the product’s meeting certain physical standards applicable to materials, footwear, insoles, hosiery, equipment or pharmaceuticals.

Companies must provide research documentation, information on intended use, patents, composition, and evidence of quality control procedures for each product. A detailed scientific evaluation is conducted by each committee member on every product.

The committee then sends its recommendation to the APMA Board of Trustees, which has the authorization to either accept or reject the recommendation.

Source: Performance Health, www.thera-band.com