Niagara Therapy

Niagara Therapy

Type	Private
Industry	Medical Devices
Founded	1949 (United States) 1969 (Australasia) 1985 (New Zealand)
Founder	Owen K. Murphy (United States)
Area served	Australia, New Zealand, Asia
Key people	Board of Directors
Products	Medical Therapy Beds Recliner Chairs Portable Therapeutic Health Devices Portable Cycloid Therapy Hand Unit Adjustable Sleep System Beds Portable Thermo-Cyclopad Unit Portable Cycloid Therapy Hand Unit
Number of employees	1,000 Worldwide
Divisions	EquissageAccell Therapy
Website	http://www.niagara.com.au

Niagara Therapy is an international group of independent companies manufacturing, distributing and promoting various forms of Cycloid Vibration Therapy (CVT) devices.

Niagara Therapy products are based upon CVT technology, incorporating elements of heat and massage therapy. Niagara’s range of medical device products includes medical therapy adjustable beds, therapy reclining chairs and portable therapeutic health devices.

Background

Niagara Therapy was founded in North America in 1949 when the patent to the technology was purchased. Niagara, and more specifically cycloidal vibration therapy, was then introduced to Australia in 1969.^[1]

Niagara Therapy products are based upon Cycloidal Vibration Therapy – a treatment therapy that uses 3-dimensional vibration and massage to assist users with varying conditions.

Niagara Therapy medical devices are listed on the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (ARTG). In order to maintain the ARTG listings the TGA completes regular surveillance audits at Niagara Therapy.

History

1920s: Conceptual Beginnings

Cycloidal Vibration Therapy originated in the Canadian coalfields in the 1920s. Used to separate lumps of coal, a mine supervisor found that when he leant against the separator machine, it relieved the symptoms of his sore joints and aching back.

1931: Invention

After the mine supervisor’s coalfield discovery, the Wettlaufer Brothers, who were inventors, mimicked the action and bought the patent in 1931. Today the action of the coal separator forms the basis of CVT technology.

1946: Owen K. Murphy and the CVT Patent

In 1946, the father of Niagara therapy, Owen K. Murphy, was introduced to the Wettlaufer Brothers and their invention at an auction. Having served in the war, Owen K. Murphy knew how a lack of circulation could save damaged limbs and, because the auctioneer said that he believed the device could improve blood flow. Murphy decided to bid for the device and try it.

1949: Niagara Established

In 1949, after seeing and purportedly experiencing the benefits of CVT first-hand, Owen K. Murphy bought the patent off the Wettlaufer Brothers. This purchase was the beginnings of what would later become Niagara Therapy. The patent for the therapy device was purchased for $150,000, which was a significant amount in the forties.

1950s: Expansion

By the 1950s other medical professionals were beginning to support the use of CVT technologies. Dr. William Bierman, who was named Outstanding Physician of the Year in 1955, was impressed with the initial results. Founder of the Institute of Physical Medicine, Dr. Bierman studied the effects of injecting a radioactive sodium salt solution into a patient’s leg pre- and post- treatment with cycloid vibration therapy. Based on Dr. Bierman’s research findings, this led to claims relating to blood circulation at that time.

It was during the 1950s that portable Niagara products were designed and manufactured, allowing individuals the ability to use CVT treatment at home.

1952: Founding of The Niagara Research Institute

Owen K. Murphy, founding father of Niagara, established the Niagara Research Institute in 1952. The Institute’s main goal was to research the benefits of using CVT. At the helm of the research institute was Dr. John R Mote (Order of the British Empire) – a distinguished medical professional. Dr. Mote was former Chief Medical Advisor (United Kingdom) to the Allied Forces in World War II, had discovered cortisone and the birth control pill, and was a specialist in oriental diseases.

Two other prominent authorities were also part of the birth of The Niagara Research Institute, including Dr. William Edmondson and Dr. William Kolossvary. Dr. Edmondson was a mental health disease specialist who worked in calming patients to facilitate communication. It was his background in this field, and his work at the Institute, that resulted in findings that led to his belief that cycloid vibration therapy eased nervous tension. Dr. Kolossvary, on the other hand, was a physicist who researched the CVT action. This led to the discovery of the CVT action, a form of new energy, becoming known as “cyclotherapy”. It is the use of cycloid vibration that differentiates CVT from other vibrations.

1954: Niagara Therapy and the Fairyland Centre Concept

In 1954, Owen K. Murphy, the founder of Niagara Therapy, joined forces with Dr. Ed Connor, a paediatrician, to create the Fairyland Centre concept.

In the 1950s, award-winning actor Walter Matthau featured in a television program entitled, Doctor Ed. In this program, the beginning of the Fairyland Centre concept was described, with Matthau playing Dr. Ed Connor.^[2]

1961: Niagara in Ireland, the U.K, and South Africa

In 1961, an individual by the name of Peter Crealey, who later became a pivotal part of Niagara's international operation, joined the Canadian team. After experiencing success as a sales consultant, Peter was given rights to distribute Niagara products in his native Ireland in 1963 – the company’s first expansion outside of North America. Due to Peter’s success, and at Niagara’s request, Peter took over the entire operation in the United Kingdom. From here, Peter Crealey opened distributor ships in Belgium, France, Italy, Greece, Sweden, South Africa and Australia.

1969 Niagara in Australia

In 1969, Niagara arrived in Australia. Niagara is located in the state of Queensland.

1985 Niagara in New Zealand

In 1985, Niagara established sales operations in New Zealand through licensed distributors initially and moved to company controlled operations after this time.

Company

Niagara Therapy Australasia is an independently owned company, with its headquarters in Queensland. The company sources components from both domestic and international suppliers. Niagara Australasia has an international network of distributors, selling throughout Australia, New Zealand and Asia.

Peter Crealey is the current Chairman of Niagara in Australasia.^[3]

Niagara Australasia headquarters were based in Meadowbrook, Queensland, from 2004 to April 2014 where it manufactured all of its medical devices for the Australasian market.

Niagara Therapy Australasia made the decision to build new premises and invested heavily to improve all areas of its manufacturing and head office. Completed in April 2014 in Parkinson, Queensland, the environmentally conscious design features over 380 solar panels to power the building.

Charity

Niagara Therapy has been involved in charity work, through efforts at its Fairyland Centres, since 1954.

Fairyland Centre

Niagara Therapy Fairyland are rehabilitation centres, serving children with physical and emotional disorders. Fairyland Centres offer children a place where they can both receive therapy and spend time, away from home. The Fairyland Centres place an emphasis on entertaining children through the use of internally developed therapeutic toys – such as the “big red chair” and trains. The toys used in the Centres are designed and manufactured by Niagara employees specifically for charity.

Fairyland Centre Funding

The Fairyland Centres receive most of their funding from internal sources. This includes numerous fundraising events conducted by Niagara and its personnel.

1954: Establishment of Fairyland Centre

In 1954, the first Fairyland Centre was established in Meadville, Pennsylvania, USA. Owen K. Murphy, the founder of Niagara Therapy, joined forces with Dr. Ed Connor in creating the concept of the Fairyland Centre .^[4]

It was Owen K. Murphy – the founder of Niagara and individual who bought the patent to the technology – that drove the Fairyland Centre concept and ensured it was replicated across the world. It was also here at the first Fairyland Centre where formative research for Niagara CVT medical devices took place.

Fairyland Centre Program Instruction

Programs offered at Fairyland Centres are a mix of therapy and education. As such, instruction involves an array of qualified individuals, including teachers, health therapists and carers. The medical devices used in the Centres are listed on the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (ARTG).

2008: Fairyland Centres in Australia

In 2008, Peter Crealey introduced the Fairyland Centre Concept to Australia, rolling out the idea at the Latrobe Special School in Traralgon, Victoria.

2011 – Present

Since 2011, Fairyland Centres have also been rolled out at a number of special schools across Australian and New Zealand, including: the Kuraby Special School in Brisbane (Qld); the Bundaberg Special Developmental School (Qld); William Rose Special School and Orange Special Developmental School (NSW); Sir Keith Park Special School (NZ); Durham Road Special School (WA); and the Croydon Special Developmental School (VIC).

References

External links

• http://www.equissage.com.au/
• http://www.niagarabeds.com.au/
• http://www.niagaratherapy.co.uk/
• http://www.niagaratherapy.com/
• http://www.niagaratherapy.com.au/
• http://www.accelltherapy.com.au/
• http://www.equissage-pferdemassage.de/
• http://niagaraequissage.com/