Rick Rowan had spent over ten years in real estate when his debilitating chronic pain condition led him to an accidental career change. Formerly ranked in the 5th percentile of Australian real estate professionals, Rick become the CEO of Australian owned, drug-free health tech business, PainPod.
With this new-found career, he decided to change the way he ran the business by opting for a more laid-back lifestyle and swapped a permanent office for various local cafes. This change allowed Rick more freedom and comfort as well as an improved lifestyle/work balance.
No stranger to painkillers, Rick suffered a 15-year chronic lower back condition that would render him immobile for days. In desperation and with a need for relief, Rick would often exceed the recommended dosage of prescription painkillers and resort to a cocktail of pills.
“The pain was unbearable, I reached a point where I was willing to try almost anything for the chance of relief. Doctors would offer prescriptions, but this offered little to no assistance. It wasn’t until I came across electrotherapy, the core technology used by PainPod, that I noticed a dramatic decrease in my pain levels,” says Rick.
Through frequency specific formulations, the technology targets specific pain ailments, instead of flooding the entire body system in the way general painkillers do. To Rick this proved effective natural, drug-free pain relief was a reality everyone could experience, leading him to jump ship from real estate to co-found PainPod in its growth.
Since being appointed as International CEO of PainPod Biotechnology Ltd, Rick has invested in developing both the product and creating a strong brand. Rick & his business partner have knocked back several offers to buy the innovative Aussie born company. The annual turnover currently exceeds $2 million, with the foundation for growth now laid down the business is expecting strong growth year on year.
Growing exponentially, the company has expanded on a global level, with Australia, USA, the UK and Europe embracing the proprietary technology application. A favourite amongst Australian and international athletes the device has assisted key Olympic contenders, Australia’s Volleyball Olympian Christie Mokotupu and Silver medal triathlete holder, Michelle Jones.
The Collingwood AFL Club, Britain’s fastest snowboarder Jamie Barrow and UK Equestrian champion Pippa Funnell are also proud ambassadors of the device. Well Nourished health influencer and naturopath Georgia Harding is also a strong advocate of the product. PainPod is highly regarded and used by leading doctors, physiotherapists, chiropractors and sport scientists around the globe. It is approved on the register of Therapeutic Goods Australia and FDA listed.
Leading the national and international growth of the company, Rick is the brainchild and lead inventor behind newly released product the PainPod Mi. A world first, the PainPod Mi device is an ultra-wearable device that combines biostimulation and micro current technology. The company’s leading product PainPod 3 is also revolutionary in design.
“A key challenge we have faced coming into the market is educating consumers about the difference between our devices and the misunderstood term TENS. The PainPod 3 treatment formulations are the key to our success and effectiveness. It is developed with twelve frequency specific formulations and a varied range of intensity levels. This allows each person to find a suitable treatment application to best work and target their pain conditions. Utilising physiotherapist grade technology in a portable, wearable unit.” says Rick.
“We have reviewed thousands of studies in developing our specific formulations. Our bioengineers and research teams are continually adapting to the latest technology so we can ensure everyone can experience a non-invasive, drug-free system of pain relief and recovery,” says Rick. “We know we have a great product and service that is making a positive difference in people’s lives. Offering a drug free alternative to relieve their pain ailments.”
The company is working with key international and national medical and industry professionals, as well as specialist areas such as The Paula Carr Diabetes Trust in the UK to develop convenient, pain relief solutions that families can employ anywhere and anytime.
“We don’t just look at improving our existing product for our customers but follow through on what larger organisations are asking for by customising our product and delivering a solution that addresses specific pain points for our growing corporate clients,” Rick says.
How exactly does the PainPod work?
Australians experience a higher percentage of pain than any country across the globe, with seven in ten people experiencing body pain on a weekly basis, according to the Global Pain Index . Living in the ‘epicentre of body pain’, PainPod has developed drug-free, pain relief technologies that can harness the body’s bioelectrical system to moderate and manage pain levels, accelerate recovery and increase performance. The PainPod range includes leading products; PainPod Mi and PainPod 3 Physical Therapy Device as well as a range of accessory hand and feet applications.
The new generation device PainPod Mi is the world’s only natural recovery and pain relief technology available in one ultra-wearable unit. Unlike a transcutaneous electrical stimulation device (TENS), the Mi device uses Micro Current Therapy which works at a level approximately 1000 times less than TENS, and cannot be felt by its user. The device mimics the body’s natural electrical microcurrent, helping cells to regenerate and repair, reducing inflammation and assisting in pain relief, rather than working as a pain blocker.
With a range of technologies that fit in the palm of your hand, the products act as ‘physiotherapy in your pocket’ and seamlessly fit into anyone’s lifestyle. The PainPod 3 device works by delivering bio-electrical nerve stimulation pulses through the skin to the nerve endings in the affected area, blocking the pain signals from travelling to the brain. A 3-in-1 device, the PainPod 3 can block pain, accelerate recovery and increase performance levels through its 12 scientifically developed therapy modes.
PainPod’s bio-engineers have applied the very latest scientific advances in biomedical, portable physical therapy devices to create a device that acts in harmony with the body’s biosystem. Packaged as a non-invasive, wearable unit, the company has placed medically developed biotechnology directly into the hands of medical professionals, athletes and everyday users.
Targeting all levels of pain, the product range is changing the lives of its varied users; helping with chronic or acute pain in the body, nerve pain, rehabilitation, post-injury and surgery recovery, pre-natal, labour and post-natal pain, arthritis and more.
The PainPod device range offers a 100% natural, drug-free solution. Used during exercise, the physical therapy technology can recruit more muscle fibres at up to 40% stronger contractions than regular resistance training methods. It provides faster training results, increased strength and optimal conditioning.
Not limited to the elite athlete, everyday users are benefiting from the device. It is appropriate for children, to pregnant women in their final trimester to the elderly and can target a range of pain management needs.
“When formulating the design, it was important to develop beyond the current market and introduce the world to a targeted, easy-to-use pain relief device,” says Rick Rowan, CEO of PainPod. “PainPod has reviewed thousands of studies to develop our specific formulations. Our bioengineers and research teams are continually adapting to the latest technology so we can ensure everyone can experience a non-invasive, drug-free system of pain relief and recovery.”
PainPod is highly regarded and used by leading doctors, physiotherapists, chiropractors and sport scientists around the globe. It is approved on the register of Therapeutic Goods Australia and FDA listed. PainPod is growing exponentially as users in Australia, USA, the UK and now Europe are embracing the proprietary technology application. PainPod can be purchased at leading pharmacies and from physiotherapists and chiropractor and online. PainPod 3 RRP is $479.00, PainPod Mi RRP is $99.00.
