Bright Side: New technology built in NW Ohio relieves pain

This story was originally published at WTVG Channel 13.

Millions of Americans have some kind of knee pain, but new technology is being developed right here in northwest Ohio that’s providing relief. The Willow MD is in production right now and it will soon be on store shelves.

The Willo MD is a fairly small device. It uses energy to help relieve pain with a tremendous success rate. And it’s helping more than humans.

Dr. Ron Shapiro has spent decades coming up with safe and effective ways to manage pain. The Willo MD uses multiple energies to relieve knee pain. “We believe it’s a global game changer for knee pain,” says Dr. Shapiro.

So far, the treatment has been used on about 600 patients. Dr. Shapiro says, “There’s photo therapy and thermal therapy so it uses heat and light.” He adds, “We have found it is 90 percent effective with no adverse side effects.”

Father Jim Auth was in for a treatment today. “I’ve got arthritic problems in there and I am trying to avoid serious surgery at this point,” says Fr. Auth.

Using the Willo MD is simple. You put it on, push a button, and sit for 25 minutes. Father Auth reads while the Willo MD does its job. He says, “This old 74 year old body that’s acted like a kid for too long now has lots of things falling apart. But it makes it easier to walk and reduce my knee pain.”

And while the advanced technology of the Willo MD is helping humans, it also has benefits for horses. “The horse is a performance athlete and they suffer from the same aches and pains we have. We have used it frequently in the past on horses, particularly on their back legs, on their stifles, which is their back knee joint,” says Dr. Shapiro.

The Regional Growth Partnership and Rocket Ventures have helped start up more than 60 technology based companies in northwest Ohio in the last several years. With Willo MD, they’ve been part of the process when it comes to getting the product from concept to production. “When we talk about economic development, our purpose at Rocket Ventures is to grow our own, meaning we take technology here and turn it into companies and at the end of the day jobs and wealth,” says Todd Davies of RGP Rocket Ventures

The Willo MD is in production and will be available this summer. It will be used by doctors and physical therapists, but you can also have one in your own home. It will be for sale at pharmacies and other retail outlets.

If your pain is acute, one treatment can be all you need. If it’s chronic, you can use the Willo MD every day.