How to Keep the Pain Away at Work

Neck and back pain are becoming more prevalent at the office.

80 percent of Americans have jobs that consist of little to no physical activity.  Neck and back problems are the second leading cause of disability in the US – and the leading cause of job-related disability, costing us more than $50 billion each year.  You can’t quit your job, so what can you do to help stop lingering pain?

1.  Sit Up Straight

Whether we realize it or not, we have a tendency to slouch at our desks.  Even more so when we’re using a mobile device.  The biggest problem is not paying attention to our posture on a daily basis.  Without even realizing it, we could be the cause of our own back pain.  Make an effort to sit up straight!  This could be as simple as putting a reminder in your phone or email.

2. Raise Your Chair

Adjust the height of your chair so that you’re just able to keep your feet flat on the floor.  This will help put your back and neck into a more upright position.

3.  Adjust Your Keyboard and Computer Monitor

When a keyboard and monitor are too low, your body will naturally slouch.  The ideal keyboard position keeps your arms parallel with the ground and your elbows at your side.  Your monitor should be situated so that your eyes are hitting the top third of your screen at all times.

4.  Work Standing Up

Have you seen the new desks that allow the height to be adjusted for sitting or standing?  These are marketed to consumers as an easy way to increase circulation and improve productivity.  Standing up while you work can also encourage correct posture.

5.  Buy a Posture Correcting Seat Cushion

These are designed to straighten and align your back.  By elongating your spine, you loosen up tension and age without a hunch.  

6. Stretch When You Can

Certain neck and back stretches can help reduce and sometimes, even eliminate pain.  They can be done at your desk or during your break.  Doing these stretches on a regular basis will keep your mind and body sharp.

Hopefully following one, or two, or more of these tips are able to alleviate some of your neck and back pain while at work.  Try to make these a part of your routine until they start to become healthy habits.  Doing the little things now can pay off later down the road!  

If the pain continues, consider VIVA Patch.  The flexible and form-fitting design sticks with you from your morning commute to the time you clock out.  The reduced scent formula won’t overwhelm your office with menthol.  Both you and your co-workers will be happy that you asked your provider about VIVA Patch!

Breast Cancer Awareness Month Hits Home At Terrain

A few weeks into my sophomore year of high school, my mother was diagnosed with breast cancer. Her mother had lost the battle 15 years earlier, so we knew the possibility existed. But you still never expect something like that to happen to you and your family. What came next is a true testament to the strength and courage displayed by those who must endure the physical and emotional challenges of cancer.

First, she had lumpectomy surgery. That was followed by a mastectomy. While in recovery from her mastectomy, the doctors discovered that 8 of the 10 lymph nodes they removed were enlarged. This meant that the cancer had spread into her rib cage and liver. This is when the doctors told my father to start “making arrangements.”

She started to fight back with four aggressive treatments of chemotherapy. That’s when she lost all of her hair, including her eyebrows and eyelashes. After those first four treatments, the doctors decided to give her a break with the two remaining treatments. These two treatments were what the doctors described as “a walk in the park” compared to the first four. As luck would have it, her body reacted poorly. She lost all of her fingernails, toenails, and even the skin on her palms and the bottoms of her feet. Then she began 28 straight days of radiation therapy.

Through it all, she kept her head held high. When my father and I offered to show our support by going bald, she adamantly protested (and won). I’d sit in the waiting room during her treatments. Each and every time she’d come out with a smile on her face, like nothing ever happened. She wouldn’t let cancer get in the way of being a wonderful wife, mother, sister, friend, and co-worker to those lucky enough to be in her life – all while fighting another battle with her insurance provider who tried to label her situation as a pre-existing condition! And six long months after her initial diagnosis, she was finally deemed cancer free.

She is not alone in her experience. Each year, hundreds of thousands of women are diagnosed with this terrible disease. Tens of thousands of women and families are not as fortunate as we were 14 years ago. For me, every October is a reminder of this. For my mother, every day is a reminder.

My mother, my family, and the entire Terrain Pharmaceuticals family want to offer our support to those of you who have been affected by breast cancer. If there is anything we can do for you and your family, please do not hesitate to reach out. We’ve been down this road before and we’d like to help others do the same.

Kyle-Operations Manager at Terrain Pharmaceuticals

FAQ-Injection Treatments

Terrain Pharmaceuticals is committed to maintaining a proactive approach to patient education – and by extension, patient safety.  Keep reading below for three common questions patients have about injection treatments.

Why do some injections hurt more than others?

Answer:  The two most common types of injections are subcutaneous and intramuscular.

With a subcutaneous injection, the needle is usually thinner and the injection is dispensed just below the surface of the skin – into the subcutaneous layer of tissue.  This is the more comfortable injection for the patient.

An intramuscular injection is given in the muscle, which is under the subcutaneous tissue – so a larger, longer needle is needed.  By nature, muscles are firmer than tissue.  Therefore, in order to dispense the medication or vaccination, more pressure must be applied to ensure the needle has reached the muscle.  This means a more uncomfortable injection for the patient.

Why do some injections have a burning sensation?

Answer:  There are two simple answers to this question.  The first is that a nerve may have been hit during the injection.  While this doesn’t generally occur – it is more of a “fluke” – if it happens once, you should by no means expect it to happen again.

The most common reason for a burning sensation during your injection is the specific medication or vaccination you are receiving.  There are several medications that are known to “burn.”  

A few examples:

• Some medications are very acidic and conflict with the natural alkalinity of your body.  The increase in pH causes the burning sensation.
• The alcohol used to clean the injection site can be the cause of the burning sensation.  You can ask the provider to wait until the alcohol has dried before administering the injection.
• Some medications such as propofol, an anesthetic used for surgery, just cause a burning sensation for no rhyme or reason.  Not everyone will experience this.

Is there something I can do before an injection to make it more comfortable?

Answer:  Many times, the pain caused from an injection is anxiety.  In reality, most injections do not hurt any worse than being pinched (subcutaneous) or getting hit in the arm with volleyball (intramuscular).  Neither one of them actually hurt, it’s just the anticipation of knowing you’re getting a shot causes you tense up – especially if you are one of the millions of people who can’t stand the thought of needles.  

Below are some tips to help calm yourself before an injection:

• Look away, so you don’t see the needle
• Take slow, deep breaths
• Think of anything to take your mind off what is happening – call it your happy place!
• Try to keep your muscles relaxed as much as possible
• And remember that an injection usually takes less than seven seconds – it’ll be over before you know it!

If you have any other questions or topics you’d like to see for future postings, please feel free to contact us on our LinkedIn or Facebook page.  We will stay in touch!

Pain Pills-The Painful Truth

There are a handful of reasons why you should choose alternative pain relief treatments.

Pain is usually treated with a pill.  In many ways, this is a problem.  For starters, pills don’t act fast enough.  They must first travel through the body before taking effect.  That alone can cause severe internal issues.  Even worse, continued use of oral medications could ultimately lead to devastating consequences such as habit, dependence, or addiction.

Pills go down the esophagus and settle in the stomach.  Not only does this delay the desired relief, it may also eventually impact the digestive system.  Over time, swallowing pills can lead to ulcers, bleeding, or perforation (holes) in both the esophagus and the stomach.

Prescription painkillers cause even more harm to millions of Americans every year.  Opioid drugs in particular work by interfering with, and blocking, the signals of pain being sent to the brain.  These leave the body in an altered state.  Oddly enough, they do not actually treat any symptoms – the user only experiences a perception of pain relief.

When those signals are triggered too many times, the body creates a tolerance to the drug.  Now a larger dose is needed to achieve similar results.  Then a habit starts to form, and abuse begins.  This is when the risks increase dramatically;

• Substance use disorder
• Dependence
• Addiction

Opioid addiction and overdose are on the rise.  From 1999 to 2010, prescription pain reliever overdose deaths increased 265% among men – and more than 400% among women.  Drug overdose is the leading cause of accidental death in the US.

At Terrain Pharmaceuticals, we focus on alternative pain management solutions.  Whether you need an over-the-counter topical ointment or topical patch, or your conditions require a doctor to provide injection treatments – our commitment to patient safety and product quality sets us apart from the competition.  We want every patient suffering from pain to enjoy comfort and relief.

LidoPro® Ointment and LidoPro® Patch are topical pain relievers that stop pain and reduce inflammation.  Both products apply directly to the skin for fast and long-lasting relief.  VIVA Patch is a new topical pain relief patch designed as a cost-effective alternative solution.  This patch combines lidocaine and the NSAID methyl salicylate with camphor for safe and effective relief at a fraction of the cost.  ReadySharpTM is an injection brand that treats several other symptoms of chronic pain.  Each single-use treatment is administered by your doctor or physician. 

Talk to your provider today about LidoPro®, VIVA Patch, ReadySharpTM, and Terrain Pharmaceuticals.  Or you can reach out directly to us – we’re always here to help.

PH: 877-985-8377

Email: info@terrainrx.com 

VIVA Patch Is Here!

VIVA Patch — Safe and Effective Topical Pain Relief

Designed to soothe on contact, VIVA Patch delivers powerful pain relief where you need it most. Whether you suffer from stiff joints, inflammation, or sore muscles – VIVA Patch is here to help.
Three key active ingredients — Lidocaine 2.5%, Camphor 2%, and Methyl Salicylate 4% — fight the pain, reduce inflammation, and provide hours of relief.

1. Lidocaine 2.5%

Lidocaine is an anesthetic that blocks the nerve signals being sent through the body. When applied as a topical agent, lidocaine works onsite to numb the pain. It is a highly effective pain reliever used to treat any number of symptoms and conditions. Some newer topical pain relief products contain lidocaine as the only active ingredient. VIVA Patch adds two more.

2. Methyl Salicylate 4%

Methyl salicylate is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). NSAIDs, as the name suggests, relieve pain by reducing the inflammation surrounding it. Methyl salicylate is ideal for joint and muscle pain. There aren’t many topical patches available that contain both lidocaine and methyl salicylate. The combination of anesthetic and NSAID properties in VIVA Patch provides the patient with superior, long-lasting relief.

3. Camphor 2%

Camphor is the analgesic component in VIVA Patch. Topical analgesics relieve pain by acting as a counterirritant. Camphor adds a cooling sensation that increases the blood flow and stimulates the nerve endings to distract the patient from pain. The unique combination of all three active ingredients makes VIVA Patch the only topical patch of its kind.

The Benefits to Patients

• Fast Acting – VIVA Patch activates on contact. Don’t let pain slow you down!
• Deep Penetrating – VIVA Patch targets your pain directly at the source. 
• Flexible & Form-Fitting – the self-adhesive gel sticks to your skin, and stays there!
• Reduced Scent – pain free or scent-free? How about both! Enjoy a peaceful relief.

The Benefits to Doctors and Physicians

• Cost-effective and SAFE over-the-counter alternative to provide your patients.
• Dedicated customer service team for easy ordering – and to answer any questions.
• Efficient supply chain model to ensure product quality and patient safety.
• Professionally designed documents available for you and your practice.

Patients can contact their local provider – and providers can reach out to their management company or distributor. Or you can contact us below to learn more about why VIVA Patch is right for patients and providers alike. Additional information can also be found, HERE

Our VP of Operations to Speak at the 14th Annual Global Logistics Forum!

Nick Nading With Terrain Pharmaceutics Speaks At Largest Cold Chain Event In The World! 

We are pleased to announce that our very own Nick Nading has been invited to speak at the 14thAnnual Cold Chain GDP & Temperature Management Logistics Summit in Boston, MA this September! Nick will be part of two guest speakers which will lead a roundtable discussion on Distribution Models for Small, Mid-Size, and Startup Companies. 

Here are just some of the topics that will be addressed at the conference:

• Identifying, analyzing, and managing the risks that threaten product integrity
• Exploring innovative cost-reduction strategies without jeopardizing product quality
• Tackling specific logistical challenges by shipment size, product type, and temperature range
• Understanding the challenges in regards to new facility start-up, board of pharmacy licensing, and temperature controlled transport

As an emerging drug manufacturer, we work tirelessly to stay ahead. This certainly includes regulatory compliance within the supply chain. Nick’s presence at the summit adds even more knowledge to our portfolio. “I’m ecstatic to have been given this great opportunity,” says Nick. “We’re talking about the #1 Cold Chain event in the world. I can’t think of a better place to represent Terrain Pharmaceuticals.”-Nick Nading, VP of Operations

We are always adapting to the changes in our industry. Each change allows us the chance to evolve our company to better suit your needs. This is why we feel very confident when we say that we’re well beyond our competition. To find out more about what Terrain Pharmaceuticals is doing, please feel free to reach out below.

PH: 877-985-8377

Email: info@terrainrx.com

Why is Our Injection Kit So Convenient?

We wanted ReadySharp™ to be as convenient and easy as possible for your clinic.  Our team asked for advice from physicians in several fields before creating a product that stood out from the rest.  This allowed us to provide you with the most efficient experience you could expect from an injection treatment set.

Convenient

Are you wasting precious time trying to track down the items needed for a procedure?  Let ReadySharp™ do the work for you!  Everything you need for an injection is under one roof, including the needles and syringes.  Minimal set-up means quicker procedures – and more patients each day.

No more lost time, only increased productivity.  Save your inventory for other procedures.  What you need is where you need it and when you need it with ReadySharp™!

Easy

Our dedicated customer service staff makes it easier than ever to order an injection set.  Shortly after you place the order, you will receive confirmation and tracking information.  The next day, ReadySharpTMis at your door!

Our lines of communication are always open.  We welcome and appreciate your feedback, good or bad. If you have any input on how to improve our product, please let us know!

Together, these two reasons let you focus on what matters most – helping patients.  We combine convenience and ease while stressing safety and quality.  From ordering to final treatment, you can count on ReadySharpTM!

Contact us today to see just how convenient and easy it really is!

Phone: 877-985-8377

Email: info@terrainrx.com