No mo’ Ho: The Food and Drug Administration has moved to seize two so-called medical devices from the market because the agency said the Dr. Ho’s Double Massage and Dr. Ho’s Muscle Massage don’t actually treat diabetic neuropathy, fibromyalgia, arthritis or migraine headaches, as advertised.
I found a funny review of Dr. Ho’s infomercial where he demonstrates his products primarily on scantily clad women:
“Not to be used by pregnant women, people with pacemakers, or epileptics” warns the gentle disclaimer that appears midway through the Dr. Ho Muscle Massager infomercial. After watching the device in action, viewers will suspect that for epileptics, Dr. Ho is not really dangerous — it’s merely redundant.
Of course, Dr. Ho has his defender, who took exception to the reviewer’s characterization of Dr. Ho as hokey:
So if you want a laugh ok, but at least stop telling people that it doesn’t work — it certainly does — also of course if you’re going to attach electrodes to body parts the person needs to expose that body part and hence not wear much — like a bathing suit — they choose to use the hip muscle because it’s a large muscle and you can see it react! You can’t tell what someone else feels — but you can SEE a reaction in a muscle and see that something is obviously going on! Do research and find out what you’re talking about before you spread claims!
But maybe the FDA has the goods on Dr. Ho after all:
Since these devices have not been approved by FDA, the safety parameters associated with their use and the efficacy of the devices for use to treat diseases have not been determined. These devices are misbranded because their labeling lacks adequate directions for intended use, they are not labeled prescription use only, and they are not being used by consumers by order of a licensed practitioner. They are further misbranded because they were manufactured at an unregistered facility.
So Cindy, me and the FDA urge you to Just Say No to Ho before it’s too late.
Just to put my two cents in… I don’t know what other claims Dr. Ho makes but I bought mine unit years ago because of a shoulder injury and it’s come in handy for back pain as well.
I have breast cancer now and chemo makes me tired so I lay around a lot. One of the problems with laying around is that my back is bothering me again. So I’ve pulled the Dr. Ho “tens” unit out of the drawer again. It’s so old and I’ve used it so much that duct tape is now holding a lot of it together and yet I still use it.
Today I decided it was time to replace it. Sadly I just found out that they can no longer sell them in the US and I was truly bummed. It’s the only thing that gives me relief for my back and shoulder and that includes taking pain meds. And the cost of the machine ($99) over the past five years has been a couple bucks a month compared to alternatives including massage, chiropractor or meds.
It works, it works well, and it’s at my fingertips so it works when I need it.
I guess I’ll get out the duct tape and put on another coat. But don’t condemn it if you haven’t tried it. I hope you never need one.
I used the Dr.Ho “tens” to treat my
back and it was the only thing that helped. I was also dismayed
to find it off the market.
So Dr Ho’s doesn’t treat fibromyalgia? Well it works extremely well to get to the root of muscle tension and relieve pain. I also used Dr Ho’s when I had a sciatic nerve problem for 6 months. I used Dr Ho’s and the problem was gone in 2 weeks. Perhaps it would be better we use tested drugs, antidepressants, pain killers and what not? I came on site to see if I could sell the product because I allow my friends to try Dr. Ho’s and they love it. Now it’s off the market?
I own 3 of these from many years back. I am a nurse with herniated discs in my neck and lower back and these are wonderful. They have kept me from taking a bunch of pain pills and kept me working. I tried a medical TENS unit. It was outrageously priced and didn’t work nearly as well. I have dropped mine. they have broken in several pieces. I put them back together and they kept right on working. And now we can’t buy them here. That’s whats wrong with healthcare now. Too much government intervention. I dread the day when mine don’t work anymore and I can’t get replacements. I’ve been soakingmy pads in a shallow saucer of water to get more life out of them.
You can buy in Canada. I just bought one this weekend. It is wonderful!
Why can’t we buy it? I’ve gone to physical therapy at 2 different places & they hook me up the same kind of device to me so you know it’s safe & appropriate treatment.
From what i can gather, this machine of Dr. Ho’s is just like a TENS unit. For those of you that don’t know, you can get a prescription for a TENS unit from your doctor or physical therapist.
I got my prescription from my physical therapist, I’ve had it for years, the company that supplied the unit sends new electrodes and pads, batteries… whatever I need for the unit, every three months.
I’ve never had a problem, and even though the unit can be battery operated, it comes with an ac adapter and a car adapter.
It appears the FDA banned the nonprescription sale of this particular item because it is an actual ‘prescription only’ medical device for sale on the market as a massage machine. I’m sure if you have an actual medical need, you can get a prescription from your doctor, chiropractor or physical therapist.
Scam. All of it. The people are manually contracting their muscles. It’s so fake it makes me laugh.
You are so ignorant of these types of devices. The physical therapist that I have gone to for years uses this device and it does just that/ It makes the muscles contract. You know what makes me laugh? Faked intelligence.
You know what is funny? You’re lack of masking your accent in typing. You are clearly on of Hos’ minions. Go get a life you 3rd world troglodyte.
Dear Elmeaux
My biggest concern is the longevity of a unit.
I know years ago due to an incident that required visits to a chiropractor, he used a muscle relaxer with pads like this before giving an adjustment. It worked quite well. Actually I found I received better relief the times he used the machine as opposed to those when he didn’t.
It’s not a SCAM! It works very well. I get migraines that start from
Muscle tension in my shoulders & upper back. After using the device It relives a lot of tension & my headaches subside.
If you think for one second these users are “manually contracting” their own muscles then you’ve NEVER used one!!! what makes me laugh are people who offer their opinion as fact when they dont have a clue what they are talking about!!! My husband and I love ours and Im sad to see such a worthy product get the boot!!!! Id rather have a Dr. Ho unit than all the pain pills in the world!!! Its a shame as far as I know a tens unit never killed anyone!!! Pills do ~ stick to that FDA!!!
I agree!!!!
Kristie Your an idiot…you haven’t tried this device for yourself or else you would know first-hand how well it works. Sadly everyone runs to zanax, oxycotin, & pot before they give something like Dr Ho’s a chance. If it was a scam than why would millions of therapists and chiropractors use the same device on patients before they adjust their necks, backs, etc. Dr Hi didn’t invent this massger he just capitalized on the device & now FDA needs to “administrate” some of his cash flow into their pockets. Its just simple politics that put Dr. Ho out of the market. Not because the device is a sham. I’ve had one been using it on the entire houshold for the past 10years. Saves me tons of money.
Oli, don’t know why you called Kristie an idiot. She was saying she has tried the unit and clearly stated how well Dr. Ho’s unit HAS helped her with her migraines.
Clearly you are an idiot because Kristie was a supporter. Can’t expect idiot Chinese boots paid by Dr How to understand English. Go fuck yourself troglodyte.
Only a moron who has never used the Dr Ho device (or anything like it) could say that those people are manually flexing their muscles.
I bought one just this week and I was blown away at the fact that I could only handle strength setting #3 (out of a possible 5) because the device was so powerful – and I used to be a former state-level bodybuilder.
I admit, initially, I thought this was another infomercial scam product. However what is absolutely clear to me now is that it is an absolutely remarkable product that works!
It relieved my neck pain in just 40 minutes when lots of other approaches did nothing!
The TRUE SCAM is the FDA and all other U.S. agencies who are trying to control and manipulate everyone who is attempting to use non-drug alternatives to treating their pain.
If you still believe the FDA is legitimate watch the movie “Forks Over Knives” so that you can truly understand just how corrupt they are – as stated by a former board member!
Land of the free? What freedom? It’s the land of the slaves.
Slaves to the system and slaves to every 3 or 4 letter acronym-organization in the U.S. – most of which were only set up in the last century…yes the FDA, CIA, FBI, SEC, CFTC, FTC etc…and every other organization who operates on the same fear-based primitive and barbaric motives and controls.
Thank God I don’t live in the U.S.A. – Superpower? What a joke? A joke that the entire world gets!
U.S. citizens stand up and don’t take this nonsense. The rest of the world is watching you being raped and pillaged of the freedoms we still enjoy and you once had – don’t stand for it!!!
Go Ho at least you can market to every other nation who doesn’t act like a Communist country.
You’re comments are the most ignorant of anything I have read. The FDA hasn’t banned TENS devices. One can purchase it without a prescription at any drug store. What does any of this have to do with America not being a superpower. You’re the joke and an embarrassment to whatever country you come from.
USA is NOT communist and please stop speaking for others as well here in the USA. You may disagree with a product and that is your FREEDOM to do so, but I take it to heart when you call the US and it’s people communist! My father, uncles and brothers all fought in our county to keep is safe and have the freedoms we have today. Including freedom of choice. I agree with your comment to M. Ryan Christopher Moritz 100%
Spoken like a true Dr Ho paid spammer from China. Get a live troglodyte. You are Dr Ho slave.
Hello from Australia. I just want to ensure that I’m referring to the same product: Dual Muscle Therapy System? For those of you who can’t find it in the US, you can buy it in Australia, on TV at least. I have also seen it on Amazon for $95. I have been looking at the forums precisely because it’sso hard to tell whether items work or not.
M. Ryan, I agree with you about the motives of bodies such as the FDA. Any company or department making money from pharmaceuticals won’t support anything that doesn’t give them direct income and control. This is not just in the US, it’s also in Oz. If we are talking about the same product, is your opinion of it now that you’ve had the chance to use it a bit longer just as positive?
Natalie
They sell it at the drugstore in America for naybe 20.00 without a prescription. All of you are totally misinformed
Just bought Dr Ho’s double massager on EBAY in Australia….it certainly helps my strained shoulder/ neck. My massage therapist says it’s good.
I have back pain after spinal fusion. I bought one of these. Did not do a thing.
Hes a scammer thats why the fda are after him. He lives in a mansion and drives expensive cars. Also i checked. Hes not even a Dr. That alone should have been a warning.
HES A CON MAN, BULL SH!T ARTIST, SCAMMER, USES CAR SALESMAN.
I have been using Dr Ho’s pain system for two months and have found that it works as advertised (at least for the way I have used it). I have had night foot muscle cramps for years and painful calf muscles and after two periods with the electrodes across my calves this has completely disappeared as has an unspecific itch on the sole of my other foot which was annoying in bed. I also drive long distances and get very tight shoulder muscles. Using the pads across the shoulders, releases these muscles in just a few minutes but you do need to put the pads in the correct position. Dr Ho’s video gives good advice and instructions.
Did it fix your erectile dysfunction too
I have been using Dr. Ho’s Pain Therapy system for three weeks My knee has been very painful and stiff (arthritis) and it has helped a lot. I am tired of taking pain medication that cause stomach upset – I can use it at my desk at work. It is not a scam. My friend’s chiropractor usesit too. It is very similar to the professional ones used at physio but is available to you when you need it the most.
It is available in Canada and is FDA approved.
Like Judy I am also in canada and use one as well. I have owned mine since early 2000 as it helps relieve the pain and stiffness from a torn rotator cuff in my youth. I got it on recommendation from a physiotherapist as it works similar to a tens and my medical plan only covers 5 physio visits annually.
And just to clarify, it is a Health Canada approved medical device(licence 83410), not FDA (thats the american corporate health care regulator i believe)
It is also licensed with the australia department of health under ARTG id 208084
I have known many people that Dr Ho’s TENS machines have worked for. My two cents however are related to Dr Ho himself who was my family’s chiropractor in Toronto for close to 8 years. He truly does care about his patients and their health. Do the ads come off as cheesy, sure.
I have just bought Dr. Ho’s pain machine. With osteo arthritis of the knee and a brutal 4 weeks of aerobics causing me to be almost crippled, I turned on Dr. Ho’s machine for the first time last night – and continue to wear it here at work this morning. Already I have experienced improvement – for the first time in 4 weeks I have no “idle pain” – ie even when not moving the pain was excruciating – now it is non-existent – from what? 6 hrs of Dr. Ho’s therapy. And I’m positive that the resulting calf cramps will come under control as I literally feel the machine doing its magic on my calves. Poor you who cant access this machine
Leave Dr Ho ALONE! I wore out 3 of his machines over a 15 year period. Simply put, the newest one is a TENS pain relief machine. Why is it my Chiropractor and PT can sell the same units and not be harassed like Dr. Ho has been? His products do what they say they will do. If not you get your money back!!!!
When the US first started harassing Dr. Ho, he sent me a 90 dollar unit FREE! Does that sound like a scam artist? The strong or sof pain relaxation will put you asleep and soothe your whole body!
Dr. Oz and Dr. Phil and others have backe PURE SCAM products. They are and have been sanctioned by the government. Yet, people are falling for their scams. Dr. Ho is just an honest Doctor trying to help people. LEAVE HIM ALONE. He says what is factual about his products.
God bless you Dr. Ho! Keep bringing great products.
Leave Dr Ho ALONE! I wore out 3 of his machines over a 15 year period. Simply put, the newest one is a TENS pain relief machine. Why is it my Chiropractor and PT can sell the same units and not be harassed like Dr. Ho has been? His products do what they say they will do. If not, you get your money back!!!!
When the US first started harassing Dr. Ho, he sent me a 90 dollar unit FREE! Does that sound like a scam artist? The strong or soft pain relaxation will put you asleep and soothe your whole body!
Dr. Oz and Dr. Phil and others have backed PURE SCAM products. They are and have been sanctioned by the government. Yet, people are falling for their scams. Dr. Ho is just an honest Doctor trying to help people. LEAVE HIM ALONE. He says what is factual about his products.
God bless you Dr. Ho! Keep bringing great products.
So ive heard it works. My Dr, who is not a quack recommended that I look into getting one. It is kind of pricey . i have a tens unit and cant see the difference in it and Dr Hos device. I think ill try tge tens unit of mine for a while first.
I saw this on local TV in the Philippines and was wondering about whether it actually worked like those machines that cost a lot and need prescription for. As a nurse, daily work gives me a lot of stress and at the end of the day, a lot of muscle and joint pain here and there. We don’t get any younger, people. What I’ve been reading and hearing about OTC pain medication is that it can eventually lead to kidney shut-down and other complications if used for long periods of time so as a health-enthusiast, i choose to tolerate the pain or pay for a massage therapy or massager machine – something that wouldn’t take a toll on my body in the long run. Upon hearing about this product on TV, I had my doubts like anyone would have, but after looking at comments here and all over the internet, I see no reason why I can’t trust the product. Plus, there is a money-back guarantee. If this product works as it should, US and similar coutries should lift the ban on this. What I am worried of is the cons that this product may help mask serious pain which would help identify underlying illnesses and aggrevating conditions (ie. bleeding, poison). Overall, I’m still willing to try this out despite this article.
Dr Ho’s is a fraud, he copied the well known and reasonably priced Tens unit and stuck his name on it. If I were ever to put my Tens on settings high enough to jerk my muscles around like shown on his commercials, I’d never move after. He has come up with some add on devices that I’ve not tried and would like to but I wouldn’t use his cheap dial style unit to try them. If you are so hung up on his units you can buy replacement pads anywhere at reasonable prices that his power unit plugs into though. The best prices and service I’ve found to date are at altheamedicalgroup.com and if you have issues with shipping prices contact Ashley hubbard for help!
Michael Ho markets his products and services internationally under the brand name of “Dr. Ho”. With respect to the Province of Manitoba, please note that this individual is not licensed to practice chiropractic. As such, he is not authorized to:
Use the term “chiropractor” or “chiropractic” in Manitoba;
Imply that he is licensed to practice chiropractic in Manitoba;
Present himself as a chiropractic specialist, or use the title of “doctor”, “D.C” or “Dr.” of chiropractic.
As the regulatory body for chiropractic in Manitoba, the Manitoba Chiropractors Association does not endorse the representations made by this company or individual in advertising which appears in various forms in Manitoba media.
I forgot to mention that you can buy 4 channel Tens all electronic control units for anywhere’s from $98.99 to $136.99 and uses up to 8 gel pads at a time if needed, especially for muscle stimulation. The reason Dr Ho’s is off the market was it claimed to do so many things it would actually do more harm than good and the FDA pulled it off the U.S. market The same with Tens units of any kind. Used properly for what they are designed and great but never at levels he shows on his commercials.
What store can you find the Dr Ho’s Ten’s Unit? I have had one for years and my daughter has lost it. I love it and depend on it SO much. Would love to get another one. Could you please tell me where I can get it?
I liked that quote about bathing suite. Good article author, Thanks.
They are still available for sale in Canada. I saw them at Wal-Mart… I actually came on here because I am considering buying one, but as it is somewhat pricey, I wanted to see what people had to say about its efficacy first.
They were probably banned in the USA because the Big Pharma companies were scared it would make a significant dent in drug sales.
Are you talking WalMart as in Canada? Or do you know of a place in the USA where I can get one? My daughter has lost mine and I don’t want to be without one.
I have had my Dr. Ho’s Tens machine for over 5 years. I am from Canada and bought mine at The Shopping Channel in Canada. I just bought one of the more modern rechargeable machines at Costco Canada. I have a pinched nerve in my neck which makes my arm tingle and can affect my legs and back. i was doing physiology where they used a professional tens machine. The therapist said I could definitely give a home tens machine a try, so I did. OMG, how it has helped me! And i can do it whenever I want in the privacy of my home. It gives me more agility in my neck, has almost got rid of my arm tingling and I feel like a different person. It may not work for everyone but it cannot hurt to give it a try. I really do not understand why it is not available in USA. And I have never seen it advertised on scantily clad women. I wear my normal clothes while using it. Hope it comes to USA soon. It saves a lot of money on pills and physio treatments .
Is he back I’m watching the infomercial as we speak-