Shoulder Pain: The shoulder joint is by far the most complicated joint in the body.  It is capable of remarkable ranges of motion when compared to other joints. Due to the complexity of the shoulder joint a lot can go wrong, including medical emergencies like fractures and dislocations. However, many shoulder conditions can be managed conservatively.

At Burlington Natural Health Centre, we treat shoulder pain associated with:

Injuries – sprains and strains can damage the muscles, tendons and ligaments that support the shoulder. These injuries can lead to many of the conditions listed below. The ‘rotator cuff’ muscles and tendons are a common source of shoulder pain and disability from injury.

Bursitis – a painful inflammatory condition that affects the small fluid filled sacs that cushion the bones, muscles and tendons of the shoulder.

Tendonitis – inflammation caused by strain, overuse or injury to the tendons that connect the shoulder muscles to the bones.

Frozen shoulder – pain and stiffness in the shoulder joint which gradually worsens over time. This painful condition can lead to near complete immobility of the shoulder which can last for several months.

Osteoarthritis – a degenerative condition affecting the cartilage surface within the joints of the shoulder. Osteoarthritis is often associated with pain, stiffness and restricted movement of the shoulder.

Elbow Pain: In most cases, elbow pain is caused by overuse. Recreational activities (sports and hobbies) and work activities involving repetitive sue of the elbow, wrist or hands are most common. Fractures of the bones of the arm involving the elbow are not uncommon and are associated with traumatic injury.

At Burlington Natural Health Centre, we treat elbow pain associated with:

Injuries – sprains and strains can damage the muscles, tendons and ligaments that are responsible for movement and support of the elbow joint. Sports, recreational and work related injuries can cause the conditions listed below.

Bursitis – a painful inflammatory condition that affects small fluid filled sacs that cushion the bones, muscles and tendons of the elbow.

Tendonitis – often referred to as ‘Golfer’s elbow’ or ‘Tennis elbow’. Inflammation of the tendons that connect the muscles of the forearm to the elbow are the most common cause of elbow pain.

Wrist and Hand Pain: The causes of wrist and hand pain are numerous. Injuries (fractures, sprains and strains), arthritic conditions, nerve pain (entrapment or referred), circulation problems associated with diabetes and pregnancy, and ganglion cysts are but a few of many conditions that affect the wrist and hand. Repetitive grasping motions associated with hairdressing, use of hand tools, keyboarding and painting can cause painful inflammation to the wrist and hand.

At Burlington Natural Health Centre, we treat wrist and hand pain associated with:

Injuries – sprains and strains are a common cause of damage to the wrist.  Often associated with falls or overuse, injuries can damage the muscles, tendons and ligaments that support the wrist.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome – is caused by undue pressure on the median nerve which travels through a tunnel of bones that make up the wrist. Symptoms include numbness and tingling into the thumb and index finger. Wasting and weakness of the muscles associated with the thumb on the palm side of the hand is common.

Tendonitis – most commonly associated with the tendons of the thumb but can involve other tendons of the wrist and hand.

Arthritis – a degenerative condition affecting the cartilage surfaces within the bones of the wrist and hand. Osteoarthritis is often a cause of wrist pain and may lead to stiffness, weakness and restricted mobility.

Referred pain – wrist and hand pain can be associated with irritation of spinal nerves in the neck. Symptoms of numbness, tingling and pain are commonly mistaken as ‘carpal tunnel syndrome’.      

Mid Back Pain: The mid back includes the area between the neck and lower back which includes the rib cage. Pain in this area is often described as “aching”, “stiffness”, “sharp or pinching”.  Mid back pain is often associated with difficulty getting a “deep breath”. There are a number of painful mid back conditions that are successfully treated by chiropractors. Mid back pain can be associated with neck pain (upper back), lower back pain or pain associated with the ribs were they join onto the spine. The reasons for mid back pain include ergonomics (work related postures and activities), physical fitness (including excess body weight), stress, accidents and sports injuries.

At Burlington Natural Health Centre, we treat mid back pain associated with:

Injuries – although the mid back is a very stable area of the spine, sprains and strains of the “thoracic” spine and rib cage are common. They can be associated with accidents and falls, work and sports related injuries, overwork (usually involving the lower back or shoulder muscles), sports injuries and repetitive strains.

Muscle Strains – overuse of the shoulder and back muscles can lead to mid back pain. Many of the muscles of the shoulders and neck attach to the boney structures of the mid back. Repetitive work (physical labour) and static work (desk and computer work, driving) can cause fatigue and strain of these muscles.

Wear and Tear –  with age the joints of the mid back can begin to show signs of wear and tear referred to as osteoarthritis. Usually associated with worn out discs and the development of boney spurs, osteoarthritis restricts the flexibility of the spine.

Compression Fractures – these unique fractures begin to show up in the mid back and can be associated with trauma and/or osteoporosis (thinning of normal bone density). The pain associated with compression fractures is often accompanied by painful muscle spasms which can be treated.

Disc Herniation – when compared to the neck or lower back, herniations in this area care less likely. However, mid back disc herniations do occur and can cause significant pain.

Nerve Irritation – many of the conditions listed above can cause irritation of the spinal nerves.  Nerve irritation in the upper back can be felt in the arms or shoulders. It is not uncommon for spinal nerve pain to be felt in the chest, however, chest pain associated with difficulty breathing should always be consider a medical emergency first.

Lower Back Pain: The lower back includes the five lowest bones of the spine and the tailbone. Pain in this area is the most common reason for a visit to the chiropractor and one of the most common reasons for missing work. It affects all age groups and tends to peak between the ages of 35 and 55. Up to 70 percent of the population will experience significant lower back paint some point in their life. The reasons for low back pain are varied including, ergonomics (work related postures and activities), age, physical fitness, stress and trauma (accidents, sports injuries). 

At Burlington Natural Health Centre, we treat mid back pain associated with:

Injuries – the structure of the low back makes it very susceptible to sprains and strains. The great flexibility and mobility characteristic to the low back make it less stable than other areas of the spine. So it shouldn’t come as a surprise to learn that the low back is more susceptible to injury than the neck or mid back. Accidents and falls, work and sports related injuries, overwork, sports injuries and repetitive strains are very common.

Muscle Strains – overuse of the low back muscles can lead to back pain. Repetitive work, heavy work (physical labour) and static work (sitting at a desk or driving) can all cause fatigue and strain of these muscles. Sports and recreation are also common causes of low back muscle strains.

Wear and Tear – with age the joints of the low back can show signs of wear and tear referred to as osteoarthritis. Usually associated with worn out discs and the development of boney spurs, osteoarthritis restricts the flexibility of the spine and the capacity of load that low back can withstand.

Compression Fractures – these unique fractures can affect the low back and are usually associated with trauma (overloading or a fall) and/or osteoporosis (thinning of normal bone density). The pain associated with compression fractures is often accompanied by painful muscle spasms which can be treated.

Disc Herniation – the lower back is the most common region of the spine for disc herniation to occur. This painful condition is often associated with “sciatica” which is pressure on one or more of the five branches of the sciatic nerve. Sciatica can result in the sensations of numbness, tingling, burning and of course, pain – all of which can be very debilitating. Disc herniation can cause loss of bowel or badder control which is a medical emergency. 

Nerve Irritation – the conditions listed above can cause irritation to the spinal nerves of the low back. Nerve irritation can be felt in the buttock, groin, front, outside or back of the thigh. It can also progress below the knee and cause symptoms to be felt in the foot.

Spinal Stenosis – the word “stenosis” refers to a narrowing of the canal that the spinal cord travels through and/or the holes that the spinal nerves must travel through to leave the spine. This painful condition can cause “sciatic” pain and is characterized by weakness of the leg and/or foot muscles. Foot drop (difficulty lifting your foot off the ground when taking a step) is a common symptom of spinal stenosis. Leg pain and/or fatigue that limits the distance that you are able to walk, which is relieved by rest is also a symptom of stenosis.

Hip Pain: The hip joint is one of the most complicated joints in the body.  Structurally, it is a remarkably stable joint that at the same time allows significant mobility. Due to the complexity of the hip joint a lot can go wrong, including medical emergencies like fractures and dislocations. The lower back can often refer to, or mimic hip pain.  Evaluation of the hip should include the possibility of the lower back being the source of pain. Many hip conditions can be managed conservatively. 

At Burlington Natural Health Centre, we treat hip pain associated with: 

Injuries – sprains and strains can damage the muscles, tendons and ligaments that support the hip. These injuries can lead to the conditions listed below. The muscles and tendons of the hip are a common source of pain and disability from injury.

Bursitis – a painful inflammatory condition that affects the small fluid filled sacs that cushion the bones, muscles and tendons of the hip. Often felt as a painful tenderness on the outside of the hip, bursitis can cause pain climbing stairs and make it difficult to sleep at night..

Tendonitis – inflammation caused by strain, overuse or injury to the tendons that connect the muscles of the hip to the pelvis and femur (thigh bone). The “piriformis” and/or”gluteal” muscles often are associated with painful tendonitis felt in the back of the hip.

Osteoarthritis – a degenerative condition affecting the cartilage surface within the hip joint. Osteoarthritis is often associated with pain, stiffness and restricted movement of the hip.

Knee Pain: The knee joint is one of the most complicated joints in the body.  Its complexity is not so much in its range of motion but in its stability. Due to the complexity of the knee joint a lot can go wrong. The ligamentous structure that provides its stability is most impressive. The reasons for knee pain are varied including, age, physical activities and fitness and trauma (accidents, sports injuries). Many knee conditions can be managed conservatively. 

At Burlington Natural Health Centre, we treat knee pain associated with: 

Injuries – sprains and strains can damage the muscles, tendons and ligaments that support the knee. These injuries can lead to the conditions listed below. The muscles and tendons of the knee are common sources of pain and disability. However the major supporting element of the knee are the “ligaments”. Ligaments hold our joints together and the ligaments of the knee are almost entirely responsible for its stability. Sprains, strains and ruptures of knee ligaments are a major source of disability and are usually associated with sports or work related injuries..

Bursitis – a painful inflammatory condition that affects the small fluid filled sacs that cushion the bones, muscles and tendons of the knee. Often felt as a painful tenderness in the front of the knee, bursitis can cause pain climbing stairs kneeling down.

Tendonitis – inflammation caused by strain, overuse or injury to the tendons that cross the knee joint is a common complaint. The “quadriceps” muscle on the front of the leg can develop painful tendonitis felt just below the knee cap. The tendons of the hamstrings can be responsible for pain felt behind the knee while the muscles on the outside of the thigh (IT band) can cause pain to the outside of the knee.

Osteoarthritis – a degenerative condition affecting the cartilage surface within the knee joint. Osteoarthritis is often associated with pain, stiffness and restricted movement of the knee.

Ankle and Foot Pain: The numerous joints that make up ankle and foot are one of the most remarkable joint complexes in the body.  Its complexity is not so much in its range of motion but in the stability and flexibility that allows us to stand upright. Due to the complexity of the ankle/foot joints a lot can go wrong. The ligamentous structure that provides its stability is as impressive as the number of tendons that connect the muscles of the legs to the bones of the foot. The reasons for ankle and foot pain are varied including, age, physical activities and fitness and trauma (accidents, sports injuries). Many foot conditions can be managed conservatively. 

At Burlington Natural Health Centre, we treat knee pain associated with: 

Injuries – sprains and strains can damage the muscles, tendons and ligaments that move and support the ankle and foot. The most common injury to the ankle is an “inversion sprain” which is a painful disruption of the ligaments caused by “rolling over” on the ankle. Sprains, strains and ruptures of ankle ligaments are a major source of disability and are often associated with sports or work related injuries..

Tendonitis – inflammation caused by strain, overuse, or injury to the tendons of the ankle and foot is a common complaint. Achilles tendonitis and “plantar fasciitis” are two of the most common conditions felt in the foot. Achilles tendonitis causes pain in the back of the heel and plantar fasciitis is a painful condition felt in the arch of the foot.

Osteoarthritis – a degenerative condition affecting the cartilage surface within the ankle joint and joints of the foot (including the toes). Osteoarthritis is often associated with pain, stiffness and restricted movement of the ankle and toes.

Nerve Irritation – a painful condition that can be felt in the foot for several reasons. Nerve pain into the foot can be referred from the lower back, the knee and the ankle (tarsal tunnel). Nerve pain can also be caused by poor arches in the feet that can lead to a painful condition known as “Morton’s neuroma”.