Albuquerque, N.M., May 14, 2008 – Heel, a homeopathic drug manufacturer, today issued a response to a recently published editorial in the British Journal of Sports Medicine. In the journal’s March, 2008 issue, an article focused on the early treatment of muscle strains of elite athletes. The article reported findings from an international panel of experts on sports medicine from Great Britain, Australia, Germany and the United States. The most exciting part of the discussion surrounded a protocol used by Dr. Wilhelm Müller-Wohlfahrt, Munich, Germany, who uses a combination injection which includes Traumeel^® injection solution with Actovegin, an amino acid preparation. Dr. Müller-Wohlfahrt uses Traumeel^® as a "best practice" to minimize the recovery time of muscle strains in elite athletes. The full article can be found on the British Journal of Medicine’s Web site: www.bmj.com.
(Reference 1)

"I have had similar success using Traumeel^® and Xylocaine injections, without Actovegin or paravertebral injections. I have found similar to Dr. Müller-Wohlfahrt, that injections every two or three days, accompanied with stretching of the strained musculo-tendon unit to physiological tolerance, but not beyond, enhances healing and early return to sports activity," said Dr. Steven Subotnick, a reknowned sports medicine doctor who has been the official DPM for a past Olympic Team and professional sports team . He is also an author of three medial text books on Sports Medicine of the Lower Extremities.

The expert panel went on to agree on several "best practices" for treating muscle strains including early ice and compression, early mobilization and early massage. The panel also highlighted the recent trend against the automatic use of NSAIDs for all muscle strains with the acknowledgement that they may possibly predispose these athletes to recurrences as a result of pain masking.

According to Heel officials the article may give the impression that Traumeel® is not available or registered in the United States. Traumeel^® which is an anti-inflammatory/analgesic is registered with the FDA and is available from all major drug wholesalers including McKesson, Cardinal, and Amerisource-Bergen, as well as directly from Heel in oral, topical and injection solution dosage forms. More information on Traumeel^® can also be found in the Physicians’ Desk Reference (PDR), 61st edition, 2007, page 1664.

"The use of Traumeel^® offers practitioners a safe alternative to NSAIDs in the treatment of acute muscle strains. In my practice I treat athletes of all levels and the ability to provide injections of Traumeel^® has been invaluable to speed their return to the playing field," said Dr. Brian Popiel. Popiel is a Naturopathic Physician currently" practicing in Scottsdale, AZ with a focus on Sports Medicine and Pain Management.

Beyond Dr. Müller-Wohlfahrt’s protocol, a recent randomized, double-blind, placebo controlled trial further suggests a broader use of Traumeel^® for sports-related injuries. The trial, which was conducted on Chilean elite athletes with various tendinopathies, investigated the efficacy of Traumeel^® versus Diclofenac and placebo ointment in tendinous pain in elite athletes. The results showed these elite athletes were able to return to their sport an average of 4 days sooner than those who used Diclofenac and an average of 10 days sooner than those who used a placebo.
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Traumeel® comes in several dosage forms including, ointment, gel, tablets and Rx injection solution. It is available through health care practitioners, pharmacies, and health food stores. For a free copy of the British Journal of Sports Medicine article you may call Heel’s customer service department at 1.800.621.7644.

Heel Inc. is the U.S. subsidiary of Heel GmbH, which is one of the world’s largest homeopathic pharmaceutical manufacturers with distribution in over 50 countries. For more information on other Heel products and their efficacy please visit www.heelusa.com.

For further information contact:
Joan Sullivan Medical Education and Communications Manager
Heel Inc.
505.559.2952
jsullivan@heelusa.com

Reference1:
Orchard et al. The early management of muscle strains in the elite athlete: best practice in a world with a limited evidence basis. Br J Sports Med. 2008; 42: 158-159

Reference 2:
Orizola, A. J., Vargas, F. The efficacy of Traumeel versus diclofenac and placebo ointment in tendinous pain in elite athletes: a randomized controlled trial; Med. Sci. Sports Exerc. 2007; 39 (No 5, Suppl.): S78 (Abstract 858)