SootheAway Continuous Thermal Therapy Device: Review

Before we get into the review, let me give you a summary: what the SootheAway Continuous Thermal Therapy Device does, it does very well.  Better than anything else I’ve seen.

No, that doesn’t mean it’s perfect.  But let’s take a close look at it – step by step – and you can draw your own conclusions.

The SootheAway Continuous Thermal Therapy Device (from here on in we’ll call it the SootheAway CTT Device) comes from a company called Innovative Medical Equipment, founded by Dr. Bahman Guyuron.  Dr. Guyuron has specialized in various types of surgery in the USA and Canada for many years, most significantly plastic surgery and maxillofacial surgery, as well as surgery for migraine.  It’s appropriate that his company has created a natural treatment that can both help with pain from surgery, and perhaps even help patients avoid surgery.

What’s the Point?

So what is the point of this device anyway?  The SootheAway CTT Device is designed to fight pain by providing constant heating or cooling.  I know what you’re thinking – give me a heating pad, an ice pack, or an old sock filled with rice!  Why would I want a machine when something simple can do the job?

There’s a very good reason why you might want this device.  Think about it – what’s the problem with some of those other heat/cool solutions you mentioned?

Well, first you have to heat/cool them.  Then you have to use them quick while they’re still hot/cold.  Either they start too hot or too cold, or they cool/warm too fast.  Then you’ve got all that condensation on the ice pack.  Sometimes it won’t conform to the part of your body you need it for.  And before you know it you have to stick it back in the freezer or microwave.

The SootheAway CTT Device provides – again – a constant temperature.  Let’s see exactly how it works and you’ll see what I mean.

Setting up the SootheAway CTT Device

I’m going to go all through the use of the SootheAway CTT Device so that you know exactly what to expect.

Setup is very easy.  However, if possibly I suggest you set it up ahead of time, before you have a blinding migraine attack.  Have it all set up and handy, so that you can use it right away when you’re in pain.

That being said, I decided to wait until I did have a migraine attack.  And it was still easy to set up.

The SootheAway CTT Device comes with one or more "pads".  Each of these focuses on one or more areas of the body.  I used different ones at various times, because I commonly have pain in more than one area.

 There’s a universal relief pad (excellent for joints, back, stomach, etc) (this is the rectangular one to the left), an injection relief pad (meant mainly for physicians to use before treatments such as Botox injections), and coming soon a shoulder/knee pad.

But there are three other pads that you’re more likely to use for headache or migraine pain.  First, a front and side head relief pad, covering of course your forehead and down the sides.  This one is not only good for headache pain, but also jaw/TMD/TMJ pain.  Next, the back of head (occipital region).

 Finally, the eye and sinus pad (padded), that goes over the eyes.  You may find one or all of these is useful during a headache or migraine attack.

Now, let’s set it up…

You take one pad and connect it (push and twist) to the main SootheAway CTT Device.

Add water here

Next, you put some distilled water into the reservoir (an extremely small amount.  One bottle of distilled water may be all you’ll need for months/years).  There’s a min/max indicator to guide you.

That’s it!  Your device is all set up.  Now, let’s use it.

Using the SootheAway CTT Device

I like devices that are simple to use.  This one is very simple.  First, push ON/OFF to turn it on.  Now, choose whether you want heat or cool (by pressing either "HEAT" or "COOL".  See what I mean?).

Now you can choose the level of heat or cool you want (by pressing + or -).

You choose a temperature between 1 and 10 – 10 being the coolest/hottest, 1 being just slightly cool/hot.

You may want to wait 10 minutes for the temperature to stabilize, but once you’re used to the device you’ll find that it begins to be warm/cool right away, so most often I put the pad on immediately.

So, once you’ve set the temperature, you put the pad on your head (or wherever the pain is) and adjust it using the Velcro straps (note – these pads will also provide gentle pressure – as much or as little as you want, while keeping your hands free.  This alone is a huge benefit).  Then – relax!

How (well) does it work?

As I said at the beginning, for what it’s intended to do, it does it well – very well.  How does it work?  Well, the distilled water is circulated through small tubes in the pads (see left).  That way, the pad stays at a constant temperature.

If you’ve tried heating pads, ice packs, and so on, you’ll find that this is all the benefits with none of the problems.  The temperature does stay constant – you don’t need to move it around, turn it over, refreeze it or wipe it off.  It just keeps steadily cool.

That means that it provides much better pain relief than an ice pack.  In fact, it’s amazing.

More pros and cons

But you said it wasn’t perfect – what’s the problem?

Well, let’s look at some of the pros and cons, as I see them.

Cons:  It’s big.  You do have to put it somewhere.  All right, not huge, but when you have those tubes, a pad or two, and the main machine, you can’t just stick it in your bedside table.

Secondly, it makes noise.  Not much – and it’s just a hum.  Now it’s just white noise, which some people with migraine like anyway (since it blocks out other noises and can help you sleep).  The noise wasn’t enough to bother me, but it’s there.

Also, the lights on it are very bright – why?  Just put some electrical tape over those hot and cold lights, and you’re ok.  (Now you know I really had a migraine when I tried it – and I tried it a few times)  🙂

The price will be a problem for some.  The SootheAway CTT Device is now selling for US$299 (with one pad).  You’ll have to think about whether or not you have pain often enough to invest.  Hopefully I’m helping you make an informed decision.

Note:  There are some tips for working with your insurance company on the website.  Make use of those ideas!

Also, to be fair, the device has a 30 day money back guarantee, which means you can try it without risking the money.

Finally, the company does recommend you take it off after 30 minutes, and wait 10-15 minutes before putting it on again.  Actually, I’m not even sure this is a con.  It worked so well that a 10-15 minute break wasn’t a problem for me.  Just want to let you know all the details.

Pros:  One thing I was concerned about was how these tubes would interfere with movement/sleep/etc.  But they’re solidly attached and well built.  I tried working while using a pad, and resting/lying down, and sitting up – no problem.  Everything is long enough to give you space to move, and nothing is going to come undone.

Very easy to use.  And easy to adjust.  Some people like alternating heat/cold… no problem.  If it’s not cool enough, or becomes too cool, no problem.  The temperature is very easy to adjust slightly.

Various pads for various types of pain.  In fact, during the time I was testing the SootheAway CTT device, my doctor prescribed some heat treatment for something other than headache.  Even though I didn’t have a pad exactly the right size or shape, I turned one up-side down and it worked just fine.  It’s very very versatile.

But the ultimate pro of the SootheAway CTT Device is the reason it was created – it provides a consistent, constant cooling or heating to fight pain.  If you have something else that works as well, let me see it.  Otherwise, I have to give the SootheAway Continuous Thermal Therapy Device the gold medal!

Is it for Me?

Admittedly, if you’ve only have muscle, joint or head pain once or twice in your life, you may be reluctant to invest in such a professional unit.  However, if you’re dealing with pain more often, and you’ve found that heat/cold therapy is a help, you’ll probably find that the SootheAway CTT Device will work ten times better than anything you’ve used before, with less hassle.  This may mean that it’s not equally useful for all your attacks – some will respond better than others.

Though it’s not for everyone, if you do deal with migraine pain, muscle inflammation, joint pain, and so on, it’s worth serious investigation (which is why I’ve taken the time to give a detailed review!).  The SootheAway CTT Device provides a lot of relief with no drugs, and no continuous cost (remember, drugs and massages and treatments usually involve an ongoing investment – this device is a one-time investment).

For me, I found that the SootheAway CTT Device was easy to use, and really did provide a lot of relief – relief that even continued after I had stopped using it.  I’m happy to see natural therapy devices like this that really work, and work well.

Have you tried the SootheAway CTT Device?  Leave a comment and share your experiences!

The SootheAway Continuous Thermal Therapy Device Website
SootheAway CTT Device on amazon