Can I say it?
Can I say “heals in 7 days” in a clinic ad?
It depends. 2 rules fired across 3 sample sentences, and the checker's own text explains why.
The short answer
It depends. The checker warns on this wording but does not block it. The first rule it hits is CG-DIS-016. Its reason: A sentence that names a disease or condition and says it was cured, reversed, cleared, beaten, fixed or removed is a disease claim, however it is worded. For a product it makes the product an unapproved drug. For a service it needs substantiation and a statement of typical results.
Source the rule cites: FDCA 201(g)(1); 21 CFR 101.93(g); FTC Act section 5; FTC Health Products Compliance Guidance
Checked as an ad promoting a clinical service. Context changes the result. The same samples hit these blocking rules: 0 in a drug or device ad, 2 in a supplement ad, 0 in a clinical service ad.
A clear result is not an all-clear. The checker flags wording for review and does not know your evidence, your state or your platform's review. Read the limitations.
Sample wording, run through the checker
These are sentences written to contain the phrase, not real claims. Each ran through the real engine and the shipped rule-set when this site was built.
Heals your back pain in 7 days.
- WarningCG-DIS-016Disease claims. Matched: “Heals your back pain in 7 days.”
- WarningCG-EFF-050Efficacy and proof. Matched: “Heals your back pain in 7 days”
Our laser heals tendon injuries in 10 days.
- WarningCG-DIS-016Disease claims. Matched: “Our laser heals tendon injuries in 10 days.”
- WarningCG-EFF-050Efficacy and proof. Matched: “heals tendon injuries in 10 days”
Knee pain heals in two weeks with our shot.
- WarningCG-DIS-016Disease claims. Matched: “Knee pain heals in two weeks with our shot.”
- WarningCG-EFF-050Efficacy and proof. Matched: “heals in two weeks”
What to say instead
This version came back with no rule fired:
Our clinic offers back care built around a full exam. Book an appointment to talk through your goals.
What the rules themselves suggest:
- CG-DIS-016 Describe what the product contains or what the service involves and leave the disease outcome out. If a clinician treats the condition, say who, and that results vary by patient.
- CG-EFF-050 Drop the timeframe and the "faster" comparison. If you have a controlled study, say what was measured, in whom, and against what, and cite it.
The rules behind this answer
Reason, source and citation for each rule that fired, in the checker's own words. Blocking rules come first.
CG-DIS-016 · Blocks approval · Citation checked against stored text
A sentence that names a disease or condition and says it was cured, reversed, cleared, beaten, fixed or removed is a disease claim, however it is worded. For a product it makes the product an unapproved drug. For a service it needs substantiation and a statement of typical results.
Source: FDCA 201(g)(1); 21 CFR 101.93(g); FTC Act section 5; FTC Health Products Compliance Guidance
Safer wording: Describe what the product contains or what the service involves and leave the disease outcome out. If a clinician treats the condition, say who, and that results vary by patient.
21 CFR 101.93(g) · Needs counsel review
CG-EFF-050 · Blocks approval · Citation checked against stored text
A promise that something heals or speeds recovery by a stated time, or faster than normal, is a performance claim that needs competent and reliable evidence. For a supplement, cosmetic or device it also describes an effect on a condition, which FDA treats as an unapproved drug claim.
Source: FTC Act section 5; FDCA 201(g)(1); 21 CFR 101.93(g); 21 CFR 201.128 (intended use); FTC Health Products Compliance Guidance
Safer wording: Drop the timeframe and the "faster" comparison. If you have a controlled study, say what was measured, in whom, and against what, and cite it.
21 CFR 101.93(g), 21 CFR 201.128 · Needs counsel review
Background: Disease claim in the glossary.
Questions
Which rule covers healing-time claims?
Rule CG-DIS-016. It cites 21 CFR 101.93(g). The rule's reason: A sentence that names a disease or condition and says it was cured, reversed, cleared, beaten, fixed or removed is a disease claim, however it is worded. For a product it makes the product an unapproved drug. For a service it needs substantiation and a statement of typical results.
What should I write instead?
The rule's own suggestion for rule CG-DIS-016: Describe what the product contains or what the service involves and leave the disease outcome out. If a clinician treats the condition, say who, and that results vary by patient.
Does the answer change for a drug, a supplement or a service?
Context changes the result. The same samples hit these blocking rules: 0 in a drug or device ad, 2 in a supplement ad, 0 in a clinical service ad. Pick the type that matches what you promote when you run the checker.
Next step
Check your own wording
Paste your copy into the free checker. Every flag names its rule and its source.