UNIQUE CYCLO-THERAPY SYSTEM FROM NIAGARA HEALTHCARE NOW AVAILABLE AT ALL NHS SPINAL CORD INJURY CENTRES

Offering a drug-free alternative for pain relief, Cyclo-Therapy from leading UK healthcare company Niagara Healthcare has now been adopted at all twelve of the UK’s spinal cord injury centres.

Following a successful trial of the therapy at the NHS London Spinal Cord Injury Centre at the Royal National Orthopaedic NHS Trust (RNOH), the portable hand held units and circulation stimulation pads that deliver the Cyclo-Therapy have now been donated to all NHS spinal cord injury centres across the UK.

Cyclo-Therapy works on a three-dimensional “cycloidal vibration” which is much less invasive than many standard massage devices giving a gentle and relaxing experience while stimulating the blood flow and muscles. This helps to relieve the pain and sometimes debilitating associated symptoms for sufferers of a number of medical conditions.

Occupational Therapists at each of the centres have now been trained on how to use both the hand units and circulation stimulation therapy pads. The hand held device allows users to instantly target troublesome areas while the pad is portable and versatile allowing therapy to be applied across a larger area of the body.

Commenting on the use of Cyclo-Therapy in spinal cord injury centres, Emma Linley, Clinical Specialist Occupational Therapist at the London Spinal Cord Injury Centre, RNOH said: “We have been aware of the benefits of vibration therapy for spinal cord injury patients for many years and so now having the Cyclo-Therapy pads and hand units from Niagara available to us has been brilliant. It really has enhanced the way we perform our treatment.

“We’ve seen three main benefits from using vibration therapy on those with spinal cord injuries; it provides them with sensory stimulation, it softens tissues, allowing us to provide passive movement to upper limb joints without causing micro-trauma and it has allowed us to speed up our treatment process as our patients can begin to feel the benefit within just 10 minutes spent on the therapy pad.”

Since the units have been available in the spinal centres, many Occupational Therapists have been recommending them to their outpatients to continue the therapy. Funding to purchase the units may be available via NHS continuing healthcare (NHS CHC) but we are also offering a 25% discount on all units for those with a spinal cord injury and we also plan to offer a limited number of free units per year to patients determined on a case by case basis.

Philip Elin, Group Business Operations Director at Niagara Healthcare says “We are delighted that our unique Cyclo-Therapy is being used to great effect at NHS Spinal Cord Injury Centres across the UK. However, our therapy is also available to use within the comfort of your own home.   Cyclo-Therapy can be found in our range of adjustable beds and chairs and is helping provide a drug free alternative for pain management to those suffering from conditions including arthritis; oedema and sciatica.”

Independent studies conducted by universities, research institutes and teaching hospitals show that the vibration therapy can help to relax and rest muscles, soothe most rheumatic pains, ease nervousness and stress, raise pain thresholds and improve blood circulation.

It also helps to increase venous drainage and can assist in the reduction of swelling caused by excess tissue fluid. In addition, it can improve joint mobility and ease back pain.

Nearly all our products contain the original, unchanged therapy and we are proud to have helped over 85,000 people feel better through our range of products.  

For your free, no obligation home demonstration, freephone one of our Comfort Advisors on 0800 0370 211 or visit www.niagaratherapy.co.uk.

Case Study - Jane Kirkbride
Following a spinal cord injury in 2007 which left her tetraplegic, Jane Kirkbride used the Niagara Cyclo-Therapy pad during her rehabilitation at the London Spinal Cord Injury Unit at the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital (RNOH) at Stanmore. Jane explains how the therapy pad has helped her:

“After I was discharged from Stanmore, I continued my rehabilitation in a nursing home where massage, ranging, stretching and splinting - alongside Botox therapy - worked well and there were always carers available to do it. It was also effective in the community, but was dependent on the continuity of carers capable of learning to do it well as I was always wary of inexperienced people damaging the integrity of my joints. But continuity in the community is hard to find and it isn't always possible to give newcomers a proper induction.

However, with the Niagara Cyclo-Therapy pad I was able to continue the beneficial massage therapy at home without the need for external help. Using the pad by resting my arms on the pad one at a time, I really started to feel a reduction in tension in my muscles in my arm, shoulder and across my back. The tension relief lasted for about two weeks which was fantastic.   I also noticed a cosmetic benefit too, as my improved circulation had plumped up my fingers and compared to other treatments which had been necessary but painful, using the pad was pleasurable and was something I enjoyed using.

Furthermore, I anticipate ongoing use of the therapy pad will enable me to maintain my hand tone at the right balance between softness and power for me to achieve optimal function in carrying out the activities of my choice. Obviously, this will bring with it more autonomy and satisfaction in my everyday performance.”

**ends**

Media Contact

Simon Bennett, PR Executive
Niagara Healthcare

simon.bennett@niagarahealthcare.co.uk
01293 734348

About Niagara Therapy

Niagara Therapy has been developing products to help ease peoples suffering for over 50 years. In that time our products have developed from a range of hand held units to include a range of quality, portable products and fully adjustable beds and chairs.

At Niagara Therapy we are proud to say that all of our products which include our unique Cyclo -Therapy massage system are classified as Class IIA medical devices and as such, carry the European Union CE 0473 mark. This means that our products are manufactured to strict European regulations which ensure the products are of the highest standard.

All of our products are handmade in the UK, by our team of expert craftsmen in Denbigh, North Wales. All products are quality checked and adhere to the highest UK standards. We are registered with the UK Government’s Medicines and Healthcare Regulatory Authority and have ISO 9001:2000 certification.

Visit www.niagaratherapy.co.uk for more information.

The Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Trust is the largest specialist orthopaedic hospital in the UK, and a recognised world leader in the field of orthopaedics. It treats more than 100,000 neuro-musculoskeletal patients a year for conditions ranging from acute spinal injuries to chronic back pain. The century-old RNOH is planning a major development of its site in Stanmore, Middlesex, and has launched a £15 million appeal to fund vital additional facilities and equipment for the new hospital. Further information can be found at http://www.rnoh.nhs.uk and http://www.rnohcharity.org/