Absorbine Jr. source of comfort: W.F. Young Inc. (H&BA Vendor Outlook 2002).

EAST LONGMEADOW, Mass. -- W.F. Young Inc. is feeling no pain after posting a 19% increase in sales of its Absorbine Jr. products in the past year.

A major contributor to that growth has been the successful introduction of the Absorbine Jr. Pain Relieving Patch, which made its debut in the first quarter of 2001. The product offers older consumers and athletes a more convenient way to treat sore, aching muscles.

The flexible, self-adhesive Absorbine Jr. Pain Relieving Patch can be worn under clothing without detection, and it gives off no telltale medicinal smell. The patch itself is nongreasy and has a soft, flexible backing that allows it to be easily affixed and then removed from the area being treated.

Measuring 4 inches by 5 1/2 inches, the patch can be used in one piece to cover such major muscles or joints as the back or knee. It can also be cut into smaller pieces.

"Pain-relieving patches have a long history of use in Asian countries and American consumers are just beginning to appreciate how convenient and effective they can be," comments vice president of marketing Jaime Devine.

Although a number of manufacturers now offer analgesic patch products, Devine points out that W.F. Young was one of the first on the market with a well known brand name that consumers associate with topical pain relief.

All of the Absorbine Jr. products have enjoyed sales gains, in fact. W.F. Young has supported its products with advertising, and consumers have also embraced the idea of using a natural product with a long heritage.