Shane McLeod Firefly Interview

Blood Flow Recovery Device Only Used in Hospitals is Now Available to Australian Consumers

A device designed to stimulate blood flow and assist in the prevention of Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT), previously only used in hospitals, is now available to Australian consumers to purchase.

Firefly™ is a simple, convenient and time-­efficient electronic device that can be used to provide athletes with accelerated recovery after intense physical exertion. It has also been proven to assist in preventing the serious health risk of DVT when travelling long distances or when mobility is reduced due to injury.

Medically proven to help prevent Oedema and DVT, and facilitate improved well-being for those leading an active lifestyle, firefly™ delivers painless electrical impulses to gently activate the muscles of the lower leg to increase blood circulation.

Worn behind the knee, the firefly™ device uses pioneering OnPulse™ neuromuscular electro- stimulation (NMES) technology to simulate muscle contraction and trigger the body's built-in mechanisms. The device is portable and has no wires and can be easily turned on and off.

Shane McLeod, Director of firefly™ in Australia, is excited to be launching the product to Australian consumers:
"We are excited to launch firefly™ to Australian consumers and share with them the benefits of a product that was once only available to patients in hospital. We have developed a consumer-friendly product that will greatly assist those who work out regularly who suffer from swelling and soreness after exercise and those who travel on long haul flights and have issues with blood circulation.

'Hospitals and medical professionals have used this blood flow technology with great success for years, especially on post-­surgery patients, to reduce lower limb swelling. We have launched firefly™ so that Australian consumers can also have access to the benefits of this technology. The benefits are not limited to those who travel and exercise ­ office workers who sit at their desks for prolonged periods of time can also reap the benefits of this technology." McLeod said.

The firefly™ device also has the unique ability to increase blood flow when resting, mimicking the effect of an active recovery, which is vital after exercise. This increase in blood flow accelerates recovery from high intensity exercise and promotes healing after injury.

Firefly™ is a one-size­fits-all product with clinically proven sports recovery benefits.

"Firefly™ can also help you to recover from sprains and ligament damage, and if worn immediately after exercise, it can also be used for the reduction of delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) within 24 hours of high intensity exercise. It also helps to relieve the discomfort of muscle soreness and aids the recovery of muscles quicker, meaning users can get back to training faster following their recovery period." McLeod added.

For more information and to purchase Firefly™, visit www.elitesportrecovery.com.au

Interview with Shane McLeod, Firefly Director

Question: What is Firefly?

Shane McLeod: We like to think of it as the new must have piece of equipment. Whether you're looking to recover from exercise quicker, feel fresher at the end of a flight, or help relieve some swelling, we can help. Essentially it's a medically proven device to increase blood flow to the lower body. When placed on the leg in the correct position it uses Neuro Muscular Electro Stimulation (NMES) to contract muscles of the lower leg, which in turn is responsible for the increase in flow.

Question: What inspired the creation of Firefly for home use?

Shane McLeod: Initially it was to aid/speed up the recovery process of elite level athletes, so they could train at a high intensity the following day. Now many of us train and have the same soreness the following day or even days later, so we saw firefly as an aid to help get normal people through their busy lives. How many people skip or stop running for example because the next couple of days they're left with sore muscles? (this is known as delayed onset muscle soreness DOMS).


Question: What issues was Firefly developed for?

Shane McLeod: We know how people feel and worry about DVT on long flights. So we've introduced firefly to the travel market to help prevent DVT, and also make sure your legs are as fresh as when you boarded the plane, due to its ability to prevent swelling. Already lots of people have discovered the benefits of our product whilst travelling.


Question: What are the proven health benefits of Firefly?

Shane McLeod: Firefly is proven to help remove the by-products associated with intense or extended exercise, such as Lactic Acid. It also aids in the repair of ligaments and tendons after injury. It can prevent DVT through the promotion of blood flow when the lower half is inactive, like when sedentary on a long flight. Firefly will also help prevent Oedema and swelling to the lower limbs.


Question: What are the symptoms associated with Deep Vein Thrombosis?

Shane McLeod: Studies have shown that 5-10% of long haul travellers will develop asymptomatic DVT, unfortunately meaning you show no sign. Visible symptoms include pain, swelling, red and warm/burning skin on the legs.


Question: How does Firefly treat these symptoms?
Shane McLeod: Firefly is a preventative device for DVT, we DO NOT treat DVT. It is recommended that if you have DVT or have recently had it, that you don't use firefly before consulting your doctor. DVT is caused by blood pooling in the legs, due to inactivity and low blood flow, resulting in the development of clots. When these, or parts of these clots break away, that causes great concern for the patient. Firefly's role is to keep blood flowing to help prevent this occurring.


Question: How is the product we can use in our homes different to the hospital-only version?

Shane McLeod: The technology used in Firefly is identical to that used in the hospital specific device, known as Geko. The patented, unique -on pulse' technology is exclusive to First Kind Medical from the UK. All of the studies involving Geko in the hospital setting are relative to Firefly due to the on pulse technology.


Question: How often does a patient need to use Firefly to see benefits?

Shane McLeod: When used after activity, it is recommended that firefly be used within 3-4 hours of completion. The length of time will depend on the amount/type of activity, but generally somewhere between 1-3 hours of use. When travelling, firely is best placed on the legs at the start of your trip and turned on for half an hour for every two hours of travel. However, the more you can leave it going the fresher you'll feel at the end.


Question: What is the cost of Firefly?

Shane McLeod: The cost of firefly is $59.95 per pair, which when following general procedure works out to be between $2-$5 per use.


Interview by Brooke Hunter