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June 2003

Compex Technologies/Rehabilicare, founded in 1972 in New Brighton, Minn, is a designer, manufacturer, and provider of electromedical pain management and rehabilitation products. Its portable electrotherapy devices are used in clinical, home health care, athletic, sports medicine, and occupational medicine applications. Rehab Management recently spoke with Dan W. Gladney, the company’s president and CEO.

Q: What products is Compex currently most excited about?

A: There are two electrotherapy products that we are the most excited to talk about. Those are our ProMax TENS and our IF II interferential pain management device. Both play an important role in pain management, and they reflect our commitment to helping people manage their pain. We worked on the ProMax for a little over a year, and it was designed with PT, doctor, and patient input. It is an electrical nerve stimulator that features pulse duration compensation and a true strength duration modulation that stimulates sensory nerves’ thresholds to enhance pain relief. That product, to me, defines our company in that we are all about providing customers with what they need.

Q: How is the IF II different from ProMax?

A: This product delivers small electrical pulses to an area of injury by way of electrodes that pass current through the skin. It stimulates the underlying nerves to provide pain relief. The difference is that the IF II is primarily used for very localized areas where deep current for pain control or increased circulation is needed. It also delivers more energy to a site than the TENS device, about 50 times more energy into the tissue. And it offers much deeper penetration than all other modalities, with a higher energy source. The ProMax, on the other hand, is smaller and is simpler to program. It also has a larger, easy-to-read screen. All of our products are used for a wide variety of situations, such as lower back pain, joint stiffness, sports-related injuries, and postoperative treatments.

Q: What types of changes have you noticed in the industry over the past few years?

A: The biggest thing I’ve seen, and continue to see, is that doctors are playing much more of a role now. We are seeing more of a proactive stance from doctors. Also, I’d say that patients are asking for electrotherapy on a more regular basis. It has become much more popular and accepted, and patients are becoming more educated about it. Which is obviously good for us, in terms of our role in helping people manage their pain.

Q: What do you feel sets you apart in the marketplace?

A: I would say our patient support. We try to be there every step of the way with the user of our products. To that end, we offer comprehensive support and education over the phone, and try to go above and beyond for them.

—By Ben Van Houten

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