Regenerative & Alternative Medicine
Pro-Stride Injection™ ~ ACT – PROTEIN SOLUTION
Pro-Stride ACS is a drug-free, advanced form of regenerative medicine for treatment of inflamed joints. In Sports Medicine “regenerative therapy” is a term in reference to clinical therapies that focus on utilizing the horse’s own body to promote self-healing. The Pro-Stride ACS system accomplishes this self-healing by using the horse’s biological components (cells, platelets, plasma, etc.).
The procedure starts by taking a sample of the patient’s blood and processing the sample stall-side or in clinic. The processed Pro-Stride sample contains Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) and Interleukin-1 Receptor Antagonist Protein (IRAP). PRP contains both the signals and the matrix proteins to “jump-start” the regeneration process. IRAP inhibits damaging inflammatory molecules in the joint. In chronic injury such as osteoarthritis, healing becomes stuck in the initial inflammatory phase. Before healing can begin in earnest, the inflammatory signals must be silenced and replaced with signals which promote tissue regeneration. This is accomplished by using PRP and IRAP to work synergistically to promote joint healing. This concentrated solution is then injected into the affected joint.
Benefits of Pro-Stride ACS Treatment Include:
Pro-Stride Injection will reduce pain associated with arthritis and deliver naturally occurring anti-inflammatory proteins. Pro-Stride Injection is capable of slowing cartilage degradation and improving mobility. This treatment has longer duration of efficacy when compared to traditional joint injections using steroids and hyaluronic acid. It is also a great option for horses that initially respond to a steroid injection but have recurrence within just a few months.
If you are interested in utilizing this therapy in your horse, please call the office at (908) 852-1300.
Stem Cell
Stem Cell therapy is a newly available regenerative medicine and treatment that uses stem cells from your horse to repair injured or damaged tissues. A small sample of adipose tissue (fat) is removed from the horse and cultured to produce large numbers of autologous adult stem cells. These cells are then used to treat a variety of conditions, including tendonitis, ligament injuries, osteoarthritis, and OCD defects. Stem cells are injected directly into the site of the area that requires treatment, and develop into new cells of the desired tissue type to help in repair.
IRAP
IRAP (Interleukin 1 Receptor Antagonist Protein) is naturally in the body. It used to treat OA (osteoarthritis) in horses. IRAP has been shown to be effective in the treatment of OA where other intra-articular methods have not been successful. IRAP Therapy allows us to concentrate the antagonist protein toward Interleukin 1, which causes damage to the joint leading to discomfort and pain for your horse. IRAP therapy can allow your horse to remain pain free, as well as increase the healing process of their joint giving the horse a healthier joint for a longer period of time. Whole blood is drawn from the horse, incubated for 24 hours, and then spun down and processed.The IRAP is then drawn up and injected into the joint or joints of interest. Multiple doses of IRAP can be obtained from one blood draw and can be frozen for future use in the arthritic joint or joints.
Mesotherapy
Mesotherapy is a technique that was developed by a French physician, Dr. M. Pistor, in 1952. Since then, the technique has become widespread in human patients across Europe before becoming popular in other animals. Mesotherapy for the equine patient was introduced to the United States by veterinarian Dr. Jean Marie Denoix in the spring of 2002.
Mesotherapy is a series of microinjections into the mesoderm, the middle layer of skin, to stimulate the giant fibers. These fibers communicate with the major nerve tracts within the spinal cord and inhibit the conduction of pain signals to the brain. The goal of the treatment is to stop the pain spasm cycle caused by inflammation from a multitude of conditions including, but not limited to, osteoarthritis of the spine ("kissing spines"), cervical (neck) pain, generalized muscle pain and inflammation, and/or a lameness issue of the forelimb or hindlimb. A combination of medication is injected through very small needles into the interdermal layer of skin at a depth of only 4-6mm.
The number of treatments needed depends on the underlying condition and the chronicity of the problem. Depending on the condition being treated and the horse’s response to therapy, 1-3 treatments spaced 2-3 weeks apart are recommended. Following mesotherapy, the horse is rested for 2-5 days before returning to normal work. After the initial series of treatments, "maintenance" treatments may be indicated at a future date if the horse begins to show returning signs of discomfort.
Acupuncture
Acupuncture in both animals and humans is a practice that dates back to 650 B.C. It is defined as the stimulation of a specific point on the body, an acupoint, for a therapeutic effect. The acupoints have been found to house a high density of free nerve endings, mast cells, small arterioles, and lymphatic vessels. When these points are stimulated, there is a release of beta-endorphin, serotonin, and other neurotransmitters that work to relieve pain in the body. The ancient Chinese discovered that the health of the body depends on the state of Qi (pronounced "chee"). Qi is the vital life force, or energy, that flows freely along channels in the body. When the flow of Qi is blocked, pain or disease may result. Acupuncture stimulation resolves Qi stagnation, freeing the flow of Qi to relieve pain and enable the body to heal itself.
Acupuncture has been shown to be effective in the following conditions:
Treatments usually take about one hour. Acupoints may be stimulated in a variety of ways including dry needling, aqu-acupuncture, electro-stimulation, and moxibustion. The number of treatments needed/recommended is based on the severity and duration of the condition. A single treatment may be enough for an acute condition, and usually a series of 3-10 treatments can resolve a chronic problem. Some degenerative conditions may need monthly treatments to show a consistent effect.
>>>For more information on Acupuncture, please watch the our video below and download the Acupuncture FAQ
Equine Veterinary Medical Manipulation (EVMM)
Equine Veterinary Medical Manipulation (EVMM) or commonly called "chiropractic" is a form of diagnosis and therapy that focuses on assessing and correcting disorders of the musculoskeletal and nervous system.
During a routine EVMM appointment, the horse will be watched in motion to check for alterations in gait or carriage. This is followed by palpation and motioning of individual joints to check for “restrictions” or loss of normal range of motion. Once the evaluation is complete, adjustments will be made by applying a direct thrust to immobilized areas; in effort to restore and optimize normal range of motion in all motion segments of your horses body. Chiropractic care can help to increase circulation and eliminate lactic acid. It reduces muscle spasms and adhesions and inturn increases flexibility and improves overall performance.
Extracorporeal Shock Wave Technology (ESWT)
ESWT, commonly known as “shock wave” is a noninvasive, high-intensity, pressure wave treatment, which is commonly used in human and veterinary medicine. It helps the body in relieving pain, speeding healing and improving quality of healing.
“Shock wave” is a physics term to describe a rapid increase in pressure, such as the energy from an explosion or thunder resulting from lightening. “Shock wave” does not refer to electrical shock.
Shock wave provides a high energy, focused, pressure wave that causes a biological response in treated tissue, which will stimulate and accelerate the healing process. The pressure wave acts as a mechanical force at the cellular level causing various biological reactions, including the release of proteins associated with decreased inflammation and increased blood vessel formation.
Shock wave has been proven effective for a variety of conditions, including:
Treatments usually take about one hour. Acupoints may be stimulated in a variety of ways including dry needling, aqu-acupuncture, electro-stimulation, and moxibustion. The number of treatments needed/recommended is based on the severity and duration of the condition. A single treatment may be enough for an acute condition, and usually a series of 3-10 treatments can resolve a chronic problem. Some degenerative conditions may need monthly treatments to show a consistent effect.
>>>For more information on Acupuncture, please watch the our video below and download the Acupuncture FAQ