Cascade Wellness Technologies (CWT) based in Sunriver has developed a new thermal contrast device that enables the patient to personally apply hot and cold therapy in a consistent and replicable way. It allows rehabilitation for patients to be measurable both qualitatively and quantitatively. The device results in significant pain relief, faster healing and improved mobility through restorative rehabilitation.
For centuries it has been understood that hot and cold therapies treat common aches and pains to speed the healing process. Millions of Americans suffer from chronic pain and inflammation from sports injuries, repetitive strains, aging or post-surgical recovery. Veterinarians struggle to treat horses with inflammation and strains in their legs. Many people are treated with medications and physical therapy which is both time consuming and does not support musculature and tissue recovery.
“What we have produced at Cascade Wellness Technologies is unlike anything that is on the market today. Many products claim to provide contrast therapy. Only ours actually makes this process automated and controllable. With our device you can precisely control duration, temperature, number of cycles, whether you have compression or not and whether you start and end on hot or cold,” said David Schaefer, owner of CWT.
With their innovative new thermal contrast therapy device CWT makes age old natural healing methods of hot and cold treatments available at the push of a button.
“Our goal is to provide safe and effective methods to assist in the healing of numerous health issues that are non-evasive and chemical free,” Schaefer said.
Pain in the body is mostly caused by inflammation and a lack of oxygen in a target area. CWT’s device increases blood flow to relieve defined areas of pain without the need for medications or chemical solutions.
“We have many levels of motivation behind this effort. Our group has had loved ones and many close friends have issue with pain medication. To provide pain relief along with accelerated healing would give these people a much more direct path to a healthy life. Personally, I have a great number of loved ones that suffer with diabetes. With our device we hope to provide ease from circulatory issues that develop from this growing disease,” Schaefer said.
Many people use ice pads, heating pads, ice/hot baths or infrared lighting to heal physical ailments. CWT’s device improves upon these techniques in a refined process that offers the ability to regulate duration, control temperature, apply rapid contrast between hot and cold, and treat a targeted region all through cost effective therapy. It is an ideal option for recovering athletes who want to focus on a target area where an injury has occurred.
“What we do is allow the user to adjust the treatment to maximize both hot and cold treatments. Of course, with an injury that is recent you will want to focus on more cold than hot. Then as the injury matures the amount of heat can be extended or increased,” Schaefer said.
CWT’s treatments are applied with less labor and equipment which decreases costs while increasing efficacy. Modern technology is used to computerize the application of hot and cold to a targeted area by using a simple touch screen.
“The concept of rapid succession of hot and cold is nothing new. It has just been lost due to the effort and time required to achieve what we call reaction. Once you get the body to react in its natural way to a systematic application of hot and cold the body instinctively increases blood flow to a level rarely ever seen,” Schaefer said.
CWT’s device is being used by veterinarians to treat inflammation and ailments in the legs of horses. The device offers a simple and effective way to provide both hot and cold therapy to horses and other animals.
“Colorado State University’s Sports Equine Department is performing clinical trials on our device. The vast majority of injuries on horses are in the legs. In our tests the amount of inflammation reduction from a single therapy has been very exciting. In one case we saw over 70 percent of the inflammation reduced after a single 45 minute application. That particular horse sustained that result for two weeks from the initial treatment,” Schaefer said.
“This product is our flagship. Patents are in place and we are very close to our formal launch. As we progress and get feedback we will be adding elements such as additional cuffs and even higher levels of control to the unit,” Schaefer said.
Cascade Wellness Technologies
____ Sunriver, 541-550-7866, www.cwtinc.com
CEO: David Schaefer
CTO: Rich Smith
No. Employees: 5
Year Established: 2014
Product/Service: manufacturing units for beta testing in the human athletic and equine markets. The product is patent-pending.
Hot News: The program intends to get user feedback regarding the ease of use and effectiveness of the current design in both markets. Anticipated Launch in next 60-90 days
Outlook for Growth: With a market in athletic, equine and physical holistic healing expected growth is bright. CWT can assemble a device in three hours with five individuals. They will be participating in the upcoming Bend Venture Conference.
Qualified beta test candidates are encouraged to contact CWT atinfo@cwtinc.com or 541-550-7866 to apply for the program.
