Kinesiology

Kinesiology is the study of human movement, performance, and function by applying the sciences of biomechanics, anatomy, and physiology.

Our certified kinesiologists will focus on how your body functions and moves and will work one-on-one with you to rehabilitate, prevent and manage disorders that impede your body’s optimal level of function.

As a vital part of the rehabilitative team at the Niagara Orthopaedic Institute, our certified kinesiologists will assist in developing the correct and individualized exercise program to suit your unique needs through:

• • • Exercise prescription and development
    • Individualized progression and implementation
    • Passive muscle stretching
    • Therapeutic modality application
    • Orthopaedic device fitting and application
    • Return to sport rehabilitation and planning

Massage Therapy

Massage therapy employs manual manipulations of the body’s soft-tissue structure to assist in the body’s optimal function.

As an integral part of the comprehensive rehabilitative team at the Niagara Orthopaedic Institute, our registered massage therapists will help assist in your recovery by:

• • • Improving circulation and blood flow
    • Reducing muscle tension and spasm
    • Promote healing
    • Reduce pain
    • Assist in general relaxation

Taping

TAPING MOVEMENTS, NOT MUSCLES

At NOI Hamilton, our physiotherapists are trained in applying different types of tape for different reasons. Everything from rigid tape to Kiniseo tape.

Kinesio Tape

Kinesio tape is applied to parts of the body while being pulled on stretch, with the intention of supporting movements with gentle compression. 

Although claims that this will help reduce cramping, swelling, or increase athletic performance aren’t backed by large amounts of quality evidence, taping likely gives your muscles/body some sensory feedback while providing gentle compression, and seems to have positive results when used as an adjunct to other physiotherapy rehabilitation

Rigid Tape

Rigid tape is strong tape used in clinic to stabilise joints and limit excessive movement.

It uses a strong adhesive, and is also often used during sports, to provide extra support during gameplay.

Orthopaedic Device Prescription

To supplement the rehabilitative services offered, we employ fully trained and proficient staff that will assist in prescribing and fitting the most effective supportive and protective orthopaedic devices on the market.

The devices which can be provided will facilitate your rehabilitation program and include:

• Custom and non-custom knee bracing (ACL, MCL, Osteoarthritis)
  • Sourced from Breg, Ossur and Donjoy

https://www.breg.com/

https://www.ossur.ca/

https://www.djoglobal.com/our-brands/donjoy

• Wrist and forearm braces 
• Hip Unloader braces
  

https://www.ossur.ca/oa-solutions/oa-products/oa-hip/unloader-hip

• Post operative ROM braces
• Cold therapy units used post operatively

https://www.breg.com/products/cold-therapy/

Physiotherapy

As primary health care professionals, physiotherapists combine in-depth knowledge of how the body works with specialized hands-on clinical skills to assess, diagnose and treat symptoms of illness, injury or disability.

With your independence in mind, our registered physiotherapists’ goal is to restore, maintain and maximize your strength, function, movement and overall well-being and they will prescribe personalized therapeutic exercises, and provide essential education about the body, what keeps it from moving well, how to restore mobility and independence, and how to avoid or prevent bodily harm. Your physiotherapist will begin treatment with an extensive assessment that may include health history, evaluation of pain and movement patterns, strength, joint range of motion, reflexes, sensation, and heart and lung function.

Based on this assessment, your physiotherapist will establish a diagnosis and work in partnership with you and the rest of the rehabilitative team to develop an individualized treatment program that includes:

• • • Appropriate and thorough education about your symptoms and diagnosis, the expected timeline for healing & rehabilitation and details about what to expect during your physiotherapy treatments
    • Exercise based rehabilitation
      • This can consist of general movement encouragement, basic rehabilitation exercises, more advanced strength training, sport specific training and return to sport clearance tests
    • Manual therapy
      • Joint mobilisations and manipulations, myofascial release, and other soft tissue techniques.
    • Orthopaedic device prescription (if appropriate)
    • Referral to other professionals
      • Our team works very closely with Orthopaedic surgeons, sport medicine doctors and radiologists. If we think your condition is out of our scope of practice, we have a great referral network where we can send you to receive the most appropriate and evidence based care.

Concussion Management

Niagara Orthopaedic Institute Hamilton is now recognized by Complete Concussion Management Inc.™ (CCMI) and joins a network of clinics around the world offering evidence-based concussion care. From initial pre-season multimodal baseline testing to concussion treatment and rehabilitation, our partnered CCMI practitioners collaborate with primary care physicians to co-manage concussions, helping patients and athletes safely Return to Larn, Work and Play.

How Complete Concussion Management Works

 Through collaboration between trained healthcare practitioners, educated coaches and trainers, and informed parents and athletes, the Complete Concussion Management system educates and empowers all those involved in sport to recognize concussions, and take the necessary steps to help an athlete safely return to sport.

What is a concussion?

A concussion is a brain injury caused by acceleration or deceleration of the brain within the skull following a significant impact to the head or elsewhere on the body. The impact causes a biochemical imbalance within the brain cells, resulting in decreased blood flow and temporary energy deficits within the brain. Symptoms may include loss of consciousness, headache, pressure in the head, neck pain, nausea or vomiting, dizziness, or balance problems, among others. 

Concussion Treatment

Multimodal Baseline Testing

Multimodal baseline testing is a series of physical and cognitive tests that provides a pre-injury overview of healthy brain function. These tests can offer healthcare practitioners with an objective benchmark on which to compare should a patient sustain a concussion. 

As concussion symptoms often disappear days to weeks before the brain has recovered, having valuable baseline information may help practitioners to make safer return to play decisions. 

Click here to book your baseline test at a CCMI clinic here!

Concussion Tracker Smartphone Application

Patients can view baseline test results, find recognized CCMI clinics, learn recovery tips and receive prescribed rehab exercises through the free Concussion Tracker App. Coaches, trainers and teachers can administer an assessment of a suspected concussion, report the injury into a CCMI clinic, and track patient recovery. The app supports safe return to learn, work and play by allowing for seamless communication between sports teams, schools, parents and healthcare practitioners.

Click here to download the Concussion Tracker App here!

Complete Concussion Management Network

The CCMI network of recognized clinics provide standardized, evidence-based concussion care to those impacted by, or at risk for concussion. All recognized clinics and practitioners are connected through a secure Electronic Medical Record (EMR) system, allowing access to patient medical files. Through this integrative technology, patients can be confident that they will receive consistent, quality care at any CCMI clinic location.

For more information, visit www.completeconcussions.com.

Sports Rehabilitation

The comprehensive and multidisciplinary approach utilized at the Niagara Orthopaedic Institute is essential for any athlete attempting to prevent injury, recover from an injury while still competing, and returning to sport following an injury or surgery.

The treatment team will tailor an individualized rehabilitation program specific to your injury, goals and level of competition using the most advanced and research proven methods.

The Niagara Orthopaedic Institute has successfully treated athletes from all competition levels including:

• • • Varsity and high school athletes
    • Olympic level athletes
    • Professional athletes (NHL, CFL, MLB, PGA, professional volleyball)
    • Local club and amateur level athletes
    • Novice and recreational individuals

FASCIAL MOVEMENT TAPE (FMT)

TAPING MOVEMENTS, NOT MUSCLES

Nothing in the universe is static. Everything moves. Everything is dynamic. The human body is no exception. Movement is key to all healing regardless if your patient is pregnant or suffering from a car crash.

It’s time for change. A revolutionary change. FMT lays out the argument of why we’ve been doing it wrong for 100 years. It presents new ways of thinking about acute and chronic care. It integrates the best treatments with kinesiology taping to deliver the best possible patient outcomes.

Fascial Movement Taping (FMT) is a new way of thinking about our bodies. Based on the obvious yet largely overlooked concept of muscles acting as a chain, FMT’s revolutionary technique utilizes “longitudinal anatomy”, also known as the “movement patterns” concept. Quite simply, FMT focuses on the body’s integration of movement via multi-muscle contractions as a means of connecting the brain to the body’s uninterrupted fascial web in order to enhance rehab and athletic performance via cutaneous (skin) stimulation.

FMT Certified Racktape Docs

Fascial Movement Taping Certification is led by industry leading experts in functional movement assessment and treatment. Fascial Movement Taping (FMT) is based on the obvious yet largely overlooked concept of muscles acting as a chain. FMT’s revolutionary technique utilizes “longitudinal anatomy”, or “movement patterns” concept, the body’s integration of movement via multi-muscle contractions as a means of connecting the brain to the body’s uninterrupted fascial web in order to enhance rehab and athletic performance via cutaneous (skin) stimulation.

Kinesiology

Kinesiology is the study of human movement, performance, and function by applying the sciences of biomechanics, anatomy, and physiology.

Our certified kinesiologists will focus on how your body functions and moves and will work one-on-one with you to rehabilitate, prevent and manage disorders that impede your body’s optimal level of function.

As a vital part of the rehabilitative team at the Niagara Orthopaedic Institute, our certified kinesiologists will assist in developing the correct and individualized exercise program to suit your unique needs through:

• • • Exercise prescription and development
    • Individualized progression and implementation
    • Passive muscle stretching
    • Therapeutic modality application
    • Orthopaedic device fitting and application
    • Return to sport rehabilitation and planning

Massage Therapy

Massage therapy employs manual manipulations of the body’s soft-tissue structure to assist in the body’s optimal function.

As an integral part of the comprehensive rehabilitative team at the Niagara Orthopaedic Institute, our registered massage therapists will help assist in your recovery by:

• • • Improving circulation and blood flow
    • Reducing muscle tension and spasm
    • Promote healing
    • Reduce pain
    • Assist in general relaxation

Orthopaedic Device Prescription

To supplement the rehabilitative services offered, we employ fully trained and proficient staff that will assist in prescribing and fitting the most effective supportive and protective orthopaedic devices on the market.

The devices which can be provided will facilitate your rehabilitation program and include:

• • • Post-operative and post-fracture upper extremity slings
    • Custom and non-custom knee bracing (ACL, MCL, arthritis, other instabilities)
    • Functional ankle supports
    • Wrist and forearm braces and supports
    • Hip and sacroiliac belts
    • Cervical water pillows and lumbar supports
    • Crutches, canes, and walkers
    • Cold therapy units and ice packs
    • Thermal therapy appliances
    • Functional rehabilitation kits for ankle, knee, and shoulder

Physiotherapy

As primary health care professionals, physiotherapists combine in-depth knowledge of how the body works with specialized hands-on clinical skills to assess, diagnose and treat symptoms of illness, injury or disability.

With your independence in mind, our registered physiotherapists’ goal is to restore, maintain and maximize your strength, function, movement and overall well-being and they will prescribe personalized therapeutic exercises, and provide essential education about the body, what keeps it from moving well, how to restore mobility and independence, and how to avoid or prevent bodily harm. Your physiotherapist will begin treatment with an extensive assessment that may include health history, evaluation of pain and movement patterns, strength, joint range of motion, reflexes, sensation, and heart and lung function.

Based on this assessment, your physiotherapist will establish a diagnosis and work in partnership with you and the rest of the rehabilitative team to develop an individualized treatment program that includes:

• • • Manual joint mobilizations and soft-tissue manipulation
    • Myofascial release and passive muscle energy work
    • Therapeutic modalities which include: ultrasound, interferential currents, neuromuscular stimulation, TENS, infrared therapy, vibration therapy, acupuncture, cryotherapy, thermal therapy, and continuous passive movement devices
    • Postural and activity education/modifications
    • Orthopaedic device prescription and education (crutches, bracing, slings, canes)
    • Advanced exercise prescription and monitoring
    • Return to sport and work planning/simulation

Naturopathic Medicine

At the Niagara Orthopaedic Institute St. Catharines, we understand the importance of patient-centered care and offer long-term health solutions for you and your family’s healthcare concerns with naturopathic medicine.

Naturopathic medicine is a comprehensive and individualized approach to health care that addresses the root cause of disease. It integrates the best of both worlds: the science of conventional medicine with the wisdom of traditional naturopathic therapies.

What to expect from a visit with our Naturopathic Doctor:

On the first and second visit, our Naturopathic Doctor will take a detailed health history and physical examination to ensure that we get the “big picture” of your current state of health. Medical tests may also be required to clarify a diagnosis. Each patient is treated as an individual and provided with specific diet and lifestyle changes to optimize their health goals. Natural supplements may be recommended to speed up the healing process. Follow-up visits are for additional diet and lifestyle education, treatment modification and overall monitoring of your health goals.

What type of conditions do Naturopathic Doctors treat?

Whether you have several health concerns or just looking for a preventative healthcare plan, Naturopathic Doctors are able educate you on self-care and how to maximize your health.

Here are some common conditions that Naturopathic Doctors treat:

Skin and hair: acne, eczema, hair loss, hives, impetigo, psoriasis, rosacea & yeast infections.

Digestive concerns: acid reflux, celiac disease, diarrhea, constipation, IBD & IBS.

Cardiovascular: angina, prevention of CVD, high cholesterol and hypertension.

Respiratory conditions: asthma, allergies, bronchitis, chronic cough, post nasal drip, COPD, smoking cessation, sinusitis & chronic rhinitis.

Women’s health concerns: infertility, PMS, menopause, fibrocystic breast disease, PCOS, menstrual concerns & weight loss.

Men’s health concerns: BPH, low libido, prostatitis, erectile dysfunction & weight loss.

Fertility: pregnancy concerns, pre-natal & post-natal care.

Musculoskeletal and joint conditions: Rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, gout, headaches, fibromyalgia, low back pain, osteoporosis, sciatica, frozen shoulder & injuries.

Endocrine concerns: adrenal fatigue, diabetes, hypoglycemia, thyroid concerns & polycystic ovarian syndrome.

Urinary conditions: Bladder infections (acute and chronic), interstitial cystitis & prostatitis.

Neurological conditions: ADHD, learning disabilities, migraines, multiple sclerosis & parkinson’s disease.

Autoimmune conditions: Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, arthritis, scleroderma, etc.

For more information visit www.naturopathicfamilypractice.ca.

Sports Rehabilitation

The comprehensive and multidisciplinary approach utilized at the Niagara Orthopaedic Institute is essential for any athlete attempting to prevent injury, recover from an injury while still competing, and returning to sport following an injury or surgery.

The treatment team will tailor an individualized rehabilitation program specific to your injury, goals and level of competition using the most advanced and research proven methods.

The Niagara Orthopaedic Institute has successfully treated athletes from all competition levels including:

• • • Varsity and high school athletes
    • Olympic level athletes
    • Professional athletes (NHL, CFL, MLB, PGA, professional volleyball)
    • Local club and amateur level athletes
    • Novice and recreational individuals

FASCIAL MOVEMENT TAPE (FMT)

TAPING MOVEMENTS, NOT MUSCLES

Nothing in the universe is static. Everything moves. Everything is dynamic. The human body is no exception. Movement is key to all healing regardless if your patient is pregnant or suffering from a car crash.

It’s time for change. A revolutionary change. FMT lays out the argument of why we’ve been doing it wrong for 100 years. It presents new ways of thinking about acute and chronic care. It integrates the best treatments with kinesiology taping to deliver the best possible patient outcomes.

Fascial Movement Taping (FMT) is a new way of thinking about our bodies. Based on the obvious yet largely overlooked concept of muscles acting as a chain, FMT’s revolutionary technique utilizes “longitudinal anatomy”, also known as the “movement patterns” concept. Quite simply, FMT focuses on the body’s integration of movement via multi-muscle contractions as a means of connecting the brain to the body’s uninterrupted fascial web in order to enhance rehab and athletic performance via cutaneous (skin) stimulation.

FMT Certified Racktape Docs

Fascial Movement Taping Certification is led by industry leading experts in functional movement assessment and treatment. Fascial Movement Taping (FMT) is based on the obvious yet largely overlooked concept of muscles acting as a chain. FMT’s revolutionary technique utilizes “longitudinal anatomy”, or “movement patterns” concept, the body’s integration of movement via multi-muscle contractions as a means of connecting the brain to the body’s uninterrupted fascial web in order to enhance rehab and athletic performance via cutaneous (skin) stimulation.

Pelvic Floor Rehabilitation

Pelvic floor muscles are just like any other muscle. They need to be restored after any trauma or injury. Physiotherapy can play an important role in pelvic floor and abdominal rehabilitation. Pelvic floor rehabilitation is for both men and women.

Symptoms of pelvic floor dysfunction include urinary and fecal incontinence, an overactive bladder, pelvic organ prolapse, pelvic pain, chronic constipation, painful periods, chronic urinary tract infection symptoms, and pain with intercourse just to name a few. Pelvic floor physiotherapy can help with these symptoms.

Pelvic floor physiotherapy can also help with medical conditions such as vaginismus, chronic prostatitis, interstitial cystitis, bladder pain syndrome, or vulvodynia.

Pelvic floor physiotherapy can also help during pregnancy. Treatment for pelvic girdle pain, preparation for birth, optimal positioning, and pushing techniques are all ways that physiotherapy can play a role.

Do you have goals of returning to running, weightlifting, or sport after pregnancy? Consider getting an assessment so you can return to your goals symptom free.

Kinesiology

Kinesiology is the study of human movement, performance, and function by applying the sciences of biomechanics, anatomy, and physiology.

Our certified kinesiologists will focus on how your body functions and moves and will work one-on-one with you to rehabilitate, prevent and manage disorders that impede your body’s optimal level of function.

As a vital part of the rehabilitative team at the Niagara Orthopaedic Institute, our certified kinesiologists will assist in developing the correct and individualized exercise program to suit your unique needs through:

• • • Exercise prescription and development
    • Individualized progression and implementation
    • Passive muscle stretching
    • Therapeutic modality application
    • Orthopaedic device fitting and application
    • Return to sport rehabilitation and planning

Massage Therapy

Massage therapy employs manual manipulations of the body’s soft-tissue structure to assist in the body’s optimal function.

As an integral part of the comprehensive rehabilitative team at the Niagara Orthopaedic Institute, our registered massage therapists will help assist in your recovery by:

• • • Improving circulation and blood flow
    • Reducing muscle tension and spasm
    • Promote healing
    • Reduce pain
    • Assist in general relaxation

Orthopaedic Device Prescription

To supplement the rehabilitative services offered, we employ fully trained and proficient staff that will assist in prescribing and fitting the most effective supportive and protective orthopaedic devices on the market.

The devices which can be provided will facilitate your rehabilitation program and include:

• • • Post-operative and post-fracture upper extremity slings
    • Custom and non-custom knee bracing (ACL, MCL, arthritis, other instabilities)
    • Functional ankle supports
    • Wrist and forearm braces and supports
    • Hip and sacroiliac belts
    • Cervical water pillows and lumbar supports
    • Crutches, canes, and walkers
    • Cold therapy units and ice packs
    • Thermal therapy appliances
    • Functional rehabilitation kits for ankle, knee, and shoulder

Physiotherapy

As primary health care professionals, physiotherapists combine in-depth knowledge of how the body works with specialized hands-on clinical skills to assess, diagnose and treat symptoms of illness, injury or disability.

With your independence in mind, our registered physiotherapists’ goal is to restore, maintain and maximize your strength, function, movement and overall well-being and they will prescribe personalized therapeutic exercises, and provide essential education about the body, what keeps it from moving well, how to restore mobility and independence, and how to avoid or prevent bodily harm. Your physiotherapist will begin treatment with an extensive assessment that may include health history, evaluation of pain and movement patterns, strength, joint range of motion, reflexes, sensation, and heart and lung function.

Based on this assessment, your physiotherapist will establish a diagnosis and work in partnership with you and the rest of the rehabilitative team to develop an individualized treatment program that includes:

• • • Manual joint mobilizations and soft-tissue manipulation
    • Myofascial release and passive muscle energy work
    • Therapeutic modalities which include: ultrasound, interferential currents, neuromuscular stimulation, TENS, infrared therapy, vibration therapy, acupuncture, cryotherapy, thermal therapy, and continuous passive movement devices
    • Postural and activity education/modifications
    • Orthopaedic device prescription and education (crutches, bracing, slings, canes)
    • Advanced exercise prescription and monitoring
    • Return to sport and work planning/simulation

Sports Rehabilitation

The comprehensive and multidisciplinary approach utilized at the Niagara Orthopaedic Institute is essential for any athlete attempting to prevent injury, recover from an injury while still competing, and returning to sport following an injury or surgery.

The treatment team will tailor an individualized rehabilitation program specific to your injury, goals and level of competition using the most advanced and research proven methods.

The Niagara Orthopaedic Institute has successfully treated athletes from all competition levels including:

• • • Varsity and high school athletes
    • Olympic level athletes
    • Professional athletes (NHL, CFL, MLB, PGA, professional volleyball)
    • Local club and amateur level athletes
    • Novice and recreational individuals

FASCIAL MOVEMENT TAPE (FMT)

TAPING MOVEMENTS, NOT MUSCLES

Nothing in the universe is static. Everything moves. Everything is dynamic. The human body is no exception. Movement is key to all healing regardless if your patient is pregnant or suffering from a car crash.

It’s time for change. A revolutionary change. FMT lays out the argument of why we’ve been doing it wrong for 100 years. It presents new ways of thinking about acute and chronic care. It integrates the best treatments with kinesiology taping to deliver the best possible patient outcomes.

Fascial Movement Taping (FMT) is a new way of thinking about our bodies. Based on the obvious yet largely overlooked concept of muscles acting as a chain, FMT’s revolutionary technique utilizes “longitudinal anatomy”, also known as the “movement patterns” concept. Quite simply, FMT focuses on the body’s integration of movement via multi-muscle contractions as a means of connecting the brain to the body’s uninterrupted fascial web in order to enhance rehab and athletic performance via cutaneous (skin) stimulation.

FMT Certified Racktape Docs

Fascial Movement Taping Certification is led by industry leading experts in functional movement assessment and treatment. Fascial Movement Taping (FMT) is based on the obvious yet largely overlooked concept of muscles acting as a chain. FMT’s revolutionary technique utilizes “longitudinal anatomy”, or “movement patterns” concept, the body’s integration of movement via multi-muscle contractions as a means of connecting the brain to the body’s uninterrupted fascial web in order to enhance rehab and athletic performance via cutaneous (skin) stimulation.