Acuhealth Stimulation Therapy

The Acuhealth Pro is a small hand-held unit which produces minute electrical impulses that stimulate pre-determined acupuncture points on the body. This device is a no-needle option for those not comfortable with needle insertion below the dermis.

These points are linked along neurological pathways (called Meridians), which transmit the unit’s electrical pulse direct to the affected area.

The treatment is completely safe and painless and an effective supplemental treatment!  Research has shown that Acuhealth Stimulation is effective in reducing pain from injury or diease thereby optimizing overall functional independence.

Biomedical Acupuncture

The Niagara Orthopaedic Institute is pleased to offer acupuncture treatments to our clients as an adjunctive and supportive therapy to our comprehensive rehabilitation programs

Research has shown that acupuncture is extremely beneficial in treating pain and dysfunction related to:    

• • • Arthritis
    • Chronic neck and back pain
    • Neurological conditions (MS, nerve injury)
    • Post-surgical pain and swelling
    • Ongoing pain disorders (fibromyalgia, arthralgia)
    • Acute sport and non-sport related injuries

Bone Growth Stimulation

Bone Growth Stimulators are portable, battery-powered medical devices indicated for use in the non-invasive treatment of an established non-union or delayed union fracture acquired secondary to trauma, excluding all vertebrae and flat bones. The device has the following features:

• • • Easy to use and non-invasive
    • Light-weight and comfortable
    • Requires simple, one-button operation
    • Device is worn for only 30 minutes per day
    • Can be used with internal or external fixation or over a cast

This treatment has been shown in pre-clinical studies to help the body’s own healing process begin working. Clinical studies have shown an increased chance of healing of 60.7% in patients with non-union fractures that averaged 29.3 months from injury. Registry data on over 2300 patients reports a heal rate of 75.1%.

Continuous Passive Motion (CPM)

Continuous passive motion (CPM) devices are used as a supplementary tool in rehabilitation settings. They are utilized typically following a soft tissue surgical procedure or trauma. CPM promotes the movement of synovial fluid to allow for better diffusion of nutrients into damaged cartilage, and diffusion of metabolic waste products other materials out (blood, toxins). Another mechanism is the prevention of fibrous scar tissue formation in the joint, which tends to decrease the range of motion. The goals continuous passive motion are:

• • • Control pain (post-operative and non-operative)
    • Reduce inflammation and swelling
    • Provide passive motion in a specific plane of movement thereby increasing range of motion
    • Protect healing tissue and surgical repair site
    • Prevent arthrofibrosis and scar tissue formation

CPM is carried out by an electrically controlled medical device, which constantly moves the joint through a controlled range of motion; the exact range is dependent upon the joint, but in most cases the range of motion is increased over time. CPM is used following various types of reconstructive joint surgery such as knee replacement, knee arthroscopy and ACL reconstruction.

Electrical Stimulation

An electrical current is a flow of charged particles, either electrons or ions. Electrical currents have been applied to biological systems to alter or change physiological processes in tissue structure.

Many forms of electrical therapy exist and are dependent upon alterations and changes in the electrical current and voltage. Three of the most commonly utilized electrical forms are:

• • • Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) which is used for reducing acute and chronic pain.
    • Interferential therapy (IFC) which is commonly used to reduce pain and swelling. Extremely effective for post-operative conditions and sports injuries.
    • Neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) which increases muscle strength, reduces pain, decreases spasticity, reduces tone in muscles, and improves muscle recruitment.

These electrical therapies are an effective and research proven way to supplement the hands-ons and exercise components of any rehabilitation program!

Infrared Therapy

This dynamic modality is used in conjunction and sometimes simultaneously with other modalities, such as acupuncture and electrical stimulation, to:   

• • • Increase local and systemic blood flow
    • Reduce muscle spasm and release tension
    • Modulate and reduce pain
    • Optimize functional and physical tolerances

Low Level Laser Therapy

Low level laser therapy, a non-invasive treatment, has been utilized for over 30 years and the clinical benefit of laser therapy are photochemical in nature while promoting biostimulation. It involves the application of red and near infrared light which reduces oxidative stress and increases ATP. This improves cell metabolism thereby:

• • • Reducing pain (analgesia)
    • Reducing swelling and inflammation
    • Promoting tissue healing of ligaments, tendons, nerves, and muscles
    • Enhancing wound healing and closure
    • Accelerating growth factor and tissue regeneration

Research and clinical studies have supported the use of low level laser therapy for conditions such as chronic neck and back pain, plantar fasciitis, elbow tendinitis, rotator cuff tendinitis, achilles tendinopathy, and other pain producing orthopaedic condition.

Magnetic Resonance Stimulation

The application of low level pulsed electromagnetic fields has been widely used for overall health and wellness. The state of the art iMRS 2000 is the gold standard device utilized at the Niagara Orthopaedic Institute. These electromagnetic fields work at the cellular level to increase physiological recovery, assist in healing, reduce pain and swelling, increase fracture healing rates, and to modulate muscle spasm and tone. As a complementary treatment modality the iMRS system is true innovation.

Oxygen Therapy

Oxygen therapy is a revolutionary treatment modality that has found to be effective as a combined treatment to facilitate physiological healing. The supplemental oxygen is inhaled at 92 percent pure whereas the purity of the air we breath is roughly 21 percent oxygen. Therefore, supplementing oxygen into a comprehensive treatment plan will significantly assist in tissue healing and metabolism thus increasing healing time. Oxygen therapy is also used to strengthen the immune system, relieve tension and stress, relieve muscle soreness and stiffness, and aid in preparation for athletic competition.

Shockwave Therapy

Shockwave therapy is a revolutionary new technology which provides non-surgical treatment for many conditions that historically could only be resolved through surgical intervention.

Shockwave therapy promotes healing of degenerated and injured tissue leading to:

• • • Reduced pain
    • Increased joint function
    • Accelerated healing
    • Reduction in medication use

Shockwave therapy has been clinically proven to be effective in treating a wide variety of medical conditions in only 3-5 treatment sessions such as:

• • • 90% improvement in plantar fasciitis (Journal of Orthopaedic Research, 2005)
    • 91% improvement in calcific tendinitis (Journal of Am. Medical Association, 2003)
    • 77% improvement in tennis elbow (Journal of Orthopaedics, 2005)

Other conditions successfully treated include: achilles tendinitis, patellar tendinitis, medial tibial stress syndrome, golfers elbow, rotator cuff tendinitis, trochanteric bursitis, low back and neck pain, and various muscular trigger points.

Consult the specialized team at the Niagara Orthopaedic Institute for more information on this innovative treatment option!

Therapeutic Ultrasound

Ultrasound is the most commonly utilized therapeutic modality in rehabilitation. Ultrasound is a type of sound wave that is inaudible to the human ear (frequency greater than 20,000 Hz). Therapeutic ultrasound consists of both thermal and non-thermal ultrasound and is the type of ultrasound used in physiotherapy practice. Thermal ultrasound (continuous waveform) has been widely used in the clinical setting for approximately 50 years, whereas non-thermal ultrasound (pulsed) has been used for clinical applications for approximately 20 years.

Indications for thermal and non-thermal ultrasound include:

• • • Decrease pain
    • Decrease scar tissue/adhesions
    • Increase healing rate
    • Increase collagen extensibility
    • Decrease edema/swelling
    • Increase blood flow
    • Increase circulation

Common conditions effectively treated:

• • • Rotator cuff tendinitis
    • Calcifications
    • Bursitis
    • Myofascial pain syndromes
    • Acute ankle sprain
    • Knee ligament and cartilage injury
    • Spinal pain – back and neck
    • Any inflammation or pain-producing condition/injury

Vibration Therapy

An innovative approach to assisting in physiological recovery!  Whole body vibration therapy activates inherent cellular processes to:   

• • • Stimulate innate healing responses
    • Increase and improve cellular repair
    • Release healing chemicals (growth hormone, serotonin)
    • Remove cellular waste products
    • Increase nutrient uptake
    • Increase balance and proprioception

Infrared Goggles for Diagnosis and Management of Vestibular Disorders

• • • Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV)
    • Vestibular Neuritis or Labyrinthitis
    • Vestibular Migraine
    • Concussion
    • Meniere’s Disease
    • Acoustic Neuroma (pre and post-surgery)
    • Central Conditions (Vestibular Stroke, MS, etc.)
    • General Imbalance and Multifactorial Dizziness