Problem Statement
Nearly 30% of the North American adult population struggle with chronic pain, stress, and discomfort, with the most common areas affected being the back, legs, and joints. Traditional reflexology treatments can be costly, time-consuming, and require visits to a therapist with sessions costing upwards of $200 per hour.
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Given that chronic pain conditions, such as back pain, contribute to annual healthcare costs exceeding $12 billion, there is an urgent demand for a more accessible and economical solution. This need is further amplified by the massage therapy industry's growth at a robust 8.6%, driven by an increasing focus on self-care.
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Our client in the therapy industry wanted to tackle our expertise in tackling this issue. In response to these trends, we developed the Heated Reflexology Suit. This innovative suit merges the benefits of reflexology and heat therapy into a convenient and user-friendly product. It's designed to alleviate pain and promote relaxation at any time and place, reducing the frequency and financial burden of professional interventions.
Heated
Reflexology Suit
A Wearable Design with Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation Coupled with Carbon Fiber Heating Pads in 12 major locations
How Technology Works
TENS
Electrodes
Carbon Fiber
Heating Pads
User Experience
There are Velcro attachments on certain parts throughout the heated reflexology suit. The user can wrap themselves around the suit and then tighten the Velcro straps to wear it. This ensures proper contact between the skin and the TENS electrodes which is vital for massage stimulation, as well as contact with heated pads to ensure body is sufficiently warmed up.
The suit features a wired connection to a user-operated controller, allowing precise control over massage location, intensity, and temperature. With settings for 12 major body areas and customizable durations (30, 60, or 90 minutes), users can experience temperatures ranging from 35-50 degrees Celsius and massage intensities equivalent to acupuncture. The cost-effective design, under $1,000, competes favorably with five sessions from a massage therapist. Weighing just 940 grams, the suit, along with the 1.1 kg controller, provides 32 hours of massage and heat with four 3V batteries.