At Lake Street Chiropractic in St. Catharines, we understand that most people don’t schedule their first chiropractic appointment simply because they want an adjustment. You may be dealing with pain or stiffness affecting your neck, back, head, shoulders, knees or feet—and maybe it has started to interfere with your work, sports, exercise, sleep, or everyday life.

Our goal from your first visit is to make you feel welcome, understood, and confident that your concerns are being thoroughly assessed.

Rather than taking a one-size-fits-all approach, we use an integrated chiropractic assessment to identify the factors that may be contributing to your pain or discomfort. We then determine which combination of treatments may be appropriate for you.

Your First Chiropractic Visit: What to Expect

We understand that taking the first step toward chiropractic care can sometimes come with questions or apprehension. You may be wondering:

• Will chiropractic treatment help me?
• Will the examination hurt?
• Will I need an adjustment?
• What is causing my pain?
• Will I need X-rays?
• How long will it take to feel better?
• Will I receive treatment at my first chiropractic visit?

Our first priority is to listen to your concerns and make you feel comfortable.

You’ll Be Welcomed by Our Friendly Staff and Complete Your Health Questionnaire

When you arrive at Lake Street Chiropractic, you’ll be greeted by our welcoming and friendly team.

Before your consultation begins, you’ll complete a comprehensive health questionnaire. This typically takes approximately 10 minutes and can be completed online before your appointment.

If you have not submitted the forms online, our staff will provide you with the questionnaire to complete before the appointment begins.

Your health history provides important information about your current concerns, previous injuries, medical history, lifestyle, and other factors that may be relevant to your care.

Once we have reviewed your questionnaire, we’ll have a better understanding of where to focus during your consultation and examination.

A Thorough Chiropractic Consultation

Next, you’ll be brought into our consultation and examination room for a detailed discussion about your concerns with Dr. Geron Cowherd, DC.

We want to understand more than simply where you hurt.

We’ll discuss:

• What brought you into the clinic
• When symptoms began
• How symptoms affect everyday life
• Previous injuries or problems
• Your work and activities
• Sports and exercise
• What makes symptoms better or worse
• Health history
• Goals for care

Often, people seek help when a problem has progressed to the point where it starts interfering with something important—whether that’s working, playing sports, exercising, caring for your family, or simply enjoying everyday activities. Understanding how your problem affects your life helps us develop a more complete picture.

An Integrated Chiropractic Examination

After your consultation, we’ll perform a thorough physical and chiropractic examination.

This isn’t simply about looking at one painful area. We’ll assess how different parts of your body are functioning and how they may be contributing to your symptoms.

Depending on your concerns, your examination will typically include assessing:

• Posture and alignment
• Walking and gait
• Vertebral alignment and motion
• Spinal joint movement
• Muscle tightness and strength
• Nerve irritation or compression
• Neck and low back mobility or range of motion
• Shoulder, hip, knee, ankle, and foot movement
• Movement patterns

We use palpation touch to identify areas of muscle tension, restricted movement, or joint dysfunction.

Why Do We Look at Your Gait?

Your walking pattern can provide valuable information. The way your feet, ankles, knees, hips, and pelvis move can influence the alignment and movement of the rest of your body, including your spine. We do a visual or computer gait analysis.

Will You Need X-Rays?

After your examination, we’ll determine whether X-rays or radiographs may provide additional information that is important for your care. Looking at the spine or other joints provides valuable information on the degree of joint degeneration (arthritis) and helps rule out other potential issues.

Not every patient requires imaging. If we believe X-rays would be helpful in understanding your condition or determining the appropriate approach to care, we’ll provide you with a requisition and direct you to one of the local imaging centres we work with.

In many cases, you can have your X-rays completed immediately following your first appointment. We have access to the images once they are taken, allowing us to review the information as part of your overall assessment.

Treatment at Your First Chiropractic Visit

Treatment begins when appropriate. Depending on your individual situation and the findings of your examination, some treatment may be appropriate during your initial visit.

This could include techniques such as:

Following your first chiropractic visit, home care instructions will be provided for sleep, movement, icing and light stretching.

The most important factor is that your care is based on your individual examination findings—not a predetermined treatment plan.

Your Return Visit: Report of Findings

At your first return visit, we will bring everything together and give you a report of findings where we will explain what we found in your examination and X-ray results and discuss the factors that may be contributing to your spinal or joint problem.

We will explain the treatment options that may be appropriate for you and answer your questions. Now we are fully prepared to give you the chiropractic adjustments necessary. Depending on your needs, your treatment plan may incorporate a combination of chiropractic adjustments, Active Release Techniques®, acupuncture, and active exercise rehabilitation.

We will work with you to establish a treatment plan designed around your condition, goals, lifestyle, and needs.

Worried About Your First Chiropractic Visit?

It’s completely understandable to feel nervous or apprehensive about trying chiropractic care for the first time. You may have never been to a chiropractor before. You may have questions about adjustments. Or perhaps you’ve been dealing with pain for a while and aren’t sure what to expect. We want you to know that you don’t have to have all the answers before you walk through our doors.

We’ll take the time to listen, explain what we’re doing, answer your questions, and make sure you understand your options. Our goal is for you to leave your first chiropractic visit feeling that your concerns have been heard, understood, and thoroughly assessed.

Ready to Book Your First Chiropractic Visit?

If you’re dealing with pain, headaches, or discomfort in your neck, back, shoulders, feet or other areas of your body, an integrated chiropractic assessment may be a helpful place to start.

At Lake Street Chiropractic in St. Catharines, we combine chiropractic care with Active Release Technique®, acupuncture, and active exercise rehabilitation to create an individualized approach to care.

Ready to find out what’s contributing to your pain?

Lake Street Chiropractic

Serving St. Catharines and the Niagara Region for over 40 years.

Helping you move better, feel better, and stay active with chiropractic care, Active Release Techniques®, acupuncture and active exercise rehabilitation.

The post What to Expect at Your First Visit at Lake Street Chiropractic first appeared on Lake Street Chiropractic | St. Catharines Chiropractor.

If you’ve ever thrown your back out while gardening, lifting a heavy box, helping someone move, or even after your first round of golf of the season, you’re not alone. In fact, 50–80% of people will experience low back pain at some point in their lives. While the pain may eventually settle down, many people find that it keeps returning—and often for no apparent reason.

At Lake Street Chiropractic in St. Catharines, we believe that treating the source of your pain—not just the symptoms—is the key to long-term relief.

Why Does Low Back Pain Keep Coming Back?

Many people assume that once the pain disappears, the problem is gone. Unfortunately, that’s often not the case. Low back pain frequently returns because the underlying issues that caused the injury were never fully corrected.

Common causes include:

• Lifting something too heavy
• Workplace injuries
• DIY home projects
• Gardening
• Moving furniture
• Playing golf or other seasonal sports
• Sudden twisting or bending movements
• Poor posture and prolonged sitting

Often, it isn’t the biggest lift that causes the injury—it’s simply one movement too many on tissues that were already under stress. It’s not picking up the laundry basket, or paper off the floor, it was the gardening or deck building the week before.

What Actually Causes Low Back Pain?

Low back pain is usually the result of one or more problems occurring together, including:

Spinal Joint Dysfunction (Vertebral Subluxation)

Chiropractors often describe this as a vertebral subluxation, where one or more spinal joints are not moving properly. Although many people picture a bone being “out of place,” it’s more accurate to think of the joint becoming restricted or fixated, preventing normal movement.

When a spinal joint isn’t functioning correctly, surrounding muscles tighten to protect the area, leading to:

Of these common causes, disc injuries are typically the more severe form of low back dysfunction and often require a longer treatment program.

Why Do You Keep Re-Injuring Your Back?

One of the biggest reasons low back pain returns is because the deep stabilizing muscles of the spine become weak after an injury.

Every episode of back pain causes the small muscles between the vertebrae to shut down and weaken. Even though your pain may improve, these muscles often remain weak, smaller (atrophied), and slow to react. Without rebuilding these important stabilizers, your spine becomes more vulnerable to future flare-ups.

Pain relief does not necessarily mean full recovery. You must strengthen the spinal muscles.

Getting the Right Diagnosis

Finding lasting relief starts with understanding exactly what’s causing your pain.

At Lake Street Chiropractic, your comprehensive consultation and examination will include health history, chiropractic examination including range of motion, muscle and nerve tests, and possibly radiographs. Then a treatment plan is created to address your specific needs.

Our Integrated Approach to Low Back Pain Treatment

At Lake Street Chiropractic, we combine several evidence-informed therapies to help relieve pain, restore movement, and reduce the risk of future injuries.

Reducing muscle tension allows your spine to move more naturally and comfortably. This helps restore muscle to alleviate lower back pain.

Acupuncture

When pain is severe, acupuncture can help calm irritated tissues and reduce muscle tension.

Many patients find acupuncture especially helpful during the early stages of recovery before progressing to rehabilitation exercises.

Active Exercise Rehabilitation

This is where long-term success happens. Active Exercise Rehabilitation exercises are the glue that helps chiropractic adjustments hold. Exercise rehab focuses on rebuilding the deep stabilizing muscles that support your spine.

Your personalized program may include exercises that improve:

The goal is not just to feel better—but to make your back more resilient for everyday life.

Dr. Geron Cowherd, DC, treating low back pain with Active Release Techniques® (ART)

Early treatment often means faster recovery and fewer recurring episodes.

For many patients, periodic chiropractic “tune-ups” every few weeks or once a month can help detect minor restrictions before they become major problems.

Get Back to Doing What You Love

Whether you strained your back gardening, helping someone move, tackling a home renovation, or enjoying your favourite summer sport, you don’t have to keep living with recurring pain.

At Lake Street Chiropractic, our team combines chiropractic care, Active Release Techniques® (ART), acupuncture, and personalized exercise rehabilitation to help address the root cause of your pain—not just the symptoms.

Book your appointment online today or give us a call to start your recovery. We’ll help you move better, feel better, and get back to the activities you enjoy.

Online Booking Link

Contact Us

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The post Why Does Low Back Pain Keep Coming Back? first appeared on Lake Street Chiropractic | St. Catharines Chiropractor.

The event offered riders three distance options—15 km, 45 km, and 70 km—bringing together more than 100 cyclists from across the Niagara Region for a fantastic day of riding, community, and giving back.

Honouring a Niagara Cycling Legend

Gord Singleton was one of Canada’s most decorated cyclists. A gifted track cyclist, he represented Canada at the 1976 Olympic Games at just 19 years old and qualified for the 1980 Moscow Olympics, which were ultimately boycotted.

His impressive cycling career included:

• World Championship victories in 1982, setting records in the 200 m, 500 m, and 1,000 m events.
• Two gold medals at the 1988 World Masters Championships in the Sprint and 750 m Time Trial.
• Another World Masters Championship medal in the Sprint event in 2006.

Outside of cycling, Gord was well known in the Niagara community as the longtime owner of Niagara Battery & Tire on Hartzel Road.

Co-founded by his son, Chris Singleton, with strong community support, the Legacy Fun Ride celebrates Gord’s love of cycling and his lasting impact on the local community.

A Great Day on Two Wheels

Dr. Cowherd completed the 70 km route alongside Lake Street Chiropractic patients Dave Telford, Jordyn Bandstra, and Dale Srigley.

Adding to an already memorable day, Dr. Cowherd also had the opportunity to catch up with Steve Bauer, winner of a stage at the 1988 Tour de France, as well as friend and Registered Massage Therapist Jonathan Adams. Both are part of the management and support staff for the MNM Cycling Team, a professional cycling team set to compete in the 2026 Tour de France beginning July 2.

The beautiful weather made for ideal riding conditions, and everyone completed the course safely.

Not content with just the official route, Dr. Cowherd and his cycling partner Dale rode from St. Catharines to Firemen’s Park before the event and cycled home afterward, bringing their total distance for the day to an impressive 118 kilometres.

Supporting Healthy, Active Living

At Lake Street Chiropractic, we’re passionate about helping people stay active and enjoy the activities they love—whether that’s cycling, running, golf, or simply keeping up with everyday life.

Regular chiropractic care and Active Release Techniques® (ART®) can help cyclists improve mobility, recover from overuse injuries, reduce muscle tension, and keep performing at their best.

We’re proud to support local events that bring our community together while promoting healthy, active lifestyles.

Congratulations to everyone who participated in this year’s Gord Singleton Legacy Fun Ride, and thank you to the organizers, volunteers, and sponsors for making it such a successful event.

We look forward to seeing everyone again next year!

Lake Street Chiropractic
Serving St. Catharines and the Niagara Region for over 40 years.

Helping you move better, feel better, and stay active with chiropractic care and Active Release Techniques®.

Ready to get back to doing what you love? Whether you’re a cyclist, runner, or simply looking to move with less pain, we’re here to help. Book your appointment online anytime or contact our office to get started.

Online Booking

Contact Us

The post Dr. Geron Cowherd, DC, Takes Part in the 2nd Annual Gord Singleton Legacy Fun Ride first appeared on Lake Street Chiropractic | St. Catharines Chiropractor.

At Lake Street Chiropractic in St. Catharines, we use Active Release Technique® (ART®) alongside traditional chiropractic care to help identify and treat soft tissue restrictions that may be affecting nerve function and contributing to pain.

Understanding Nerve Entrapment

Nerves travel throughout the body, carrying signals between your brain, spinal cord, muscles, and organs. Along their path, they pass through muscles, fascia, and other connective tissues. When these surrounding structures become tight, inflamed, or injured, they can place pressure on the nerve.

An irritated or compressed nerve may lead to symptoms such as:

• Tingling or “pins and needles”
• Numbness (or lack of sensation to touch)
• Burning or aching pain
• Muscle weakness
• Muscle spasms
• Pain that radiates down an arm or leg
• Reduced mobility or function

Many patients describe intense nerve pain as feeling like a persistent toothache, burning sensation, or electric shock.

What Causes Nerve Entrapment?

Nerve irritation can develop for many reasons, including:

• Repetitive strain from work or sports
• Gardening, painting, or other household activities
• Lifting injuries
• Falls
• Motor vehicle accidents
• Sports injuries
• Acute trauma

In some cases, nerves may also become irritated by spinal joint dysfunction, vertebral subluxations, disc bulges, or surrounding muscles and connective tissues that have become tight or developed adhesions.

Common Conditions Associated with Nerve Entrapment

Nerve compression is associated with a wide range of conditions, including:

• Sciatica
• Carpal tunnel syndrome
• Tennis elbow
• Golfer’s elbow
• Tingling in the hands or fingers
• Tingling or numbness in the feet
• Arm pain
• Leg pain
• Certain types of headaches and neck pain
• Spinal joint dysfunction
• Vertebral subluxation (misalignment of the spine)
• Disc bulge
• Peripheral neuropathy
• Plantar fascitis

Because nerves can become compressed at multiple points along their pathway, identifying the true source of symptoms is essential.

How Active Release Technique® Can Help

Active Release Technique® (ART®) is a hands-on soft tissue treatment system designed to identify and address restrictions (tightness and adhesions) in muscles, fascia, tendons, ligaments, and nerves.

When treating nerve-related problems, ART uses precisely applied tension combined with guided movement to help:

• Reduce soft tissue restrictions around nerves
• Improve tissue mobility
• Restore normal movement between muscles and nerves
• Decrease pressure on irritated nerves
• Reduce nerve swelling
• Restore proper blood flow to nerves
• Improve overall function

Rather than focusing only on where symptoms are felt, ART aims to locate and treat the structures that may be contributing to nerve irritation. Nerves can be pinched at multiple sites, and all need to be released to see resolution of symptoms.

Why Early Treatment Matters

When nerve irritation persists, it can lead to ongoing discomfort and functional limitations. Depending on the underlying cause, prolonged compression may contribute to:

• Chronic pain
• Persistent numbness
• Muscle weakness (sometimes permanent if not treated early)
• Decreased mobility
• Difficulty performing daily activities

Early assessment and appropriate treatment may help improve recovery and reduce the risk of long-term issues.

Continuing Education to Better Serve Our Patients

At Lake Street Chiropractic, we’re committed to staying current with advanced treatment techniques.

Dr. Geron Cowherd, DC, recently completed three days of nerve treatment protocols at Active Release Technique® seminar in Orlando, Florida. Reviewing 90 protocols involving nerve pathways throughout the upper and lower limbs as well as the head and neck. This continuing education reinforces techniques used to assess and treat soft tissue restrictions that may affect nerves throughout the body including the median, radial, ulnar, sciatic, and femoral nerves.

Ongoing education allows us to continue providing evidence-informed care for patients experiencing nerve-related symptoms.

Is Active Release Technique® Right for You?

If you’re experiencing:

• Numbness
• Tingling
• Muscle weakness
• Muscle spasms
• Sciatica
• Carpal tunnel symptoms
• Persistent elbow pain
• Neck pain with arm symptoms
• Unexplained nerve-related discomfort

An assessment may help determine whether soft tissue restrictions or nerve entrapment are contributing to your condition.

At Lake Street Chiropractic in St. Catharines, Ontario, we combine traditional chiropractic care with Active Release Technique® to help patients move better and address the underlying causes of pain whenever possible.

Checkout another blog from the ART® official website: Top 5 Injuries Commonly Treated with Active Release Techniques® – where it talks about multipe conditions associated with nerve entrapment!

Book an Assessment

If nerve pain, tingling, or numbness is interfering with your daily life, our team is here to help. Contact Lake Street Chiropractic to schedule an assessment and learn whether Active Release Technique® may be an appropriate part of your treatment plan.

Online Booking Made Easy – Book Here Now!

Lake Street Chiropractic 

116 Lake Street, St. Catharines, ON

905-641-0400

The post Pinched Nerve? Get Rid of Numbness, Tingling, and Weakness Naturally first appeared on Lake Street Chiropractic | St. Catharines Chiropractor.

A common phrase we hear in the clinic is:

“I thought it would go away.”

Sometimes neck pain does improve on its own, but in many cases, the underlying problem is never fully corrected. That’s why the pain keeps coming back.

What Causes Neck Pain?

People often ask whether neck pain is caused by:

• Tight muscles
• Misaligned vertebrae (spinal bones)
• Pinched nerves

The reality is that the answer is often all of the above.

Neck pain usually develops from a combination of factors affecting the muscles, joints, nerves, and posture of the cervical spine and upper back.

Common triggers include:

• Falls or sports injuries
• Motor vehicle accidents
• Poor posture
• Long hours at a computer or desk
• Sleeping awkwardly in bed or on the couch
• Stress and muscle tension

Once the problem has been present for more than a few days, the body often develops compensation patterns that make the issue harder to fully resolve without treatment.

Why Neck Pain Keeps Returning

Many people focus only on relieving symptoms temporarily instead of correcting the root cause of the problem.

For long-term improvement, multiple areas need to be addressed:

• Joint motion and spinal alignment
• Tight muscles and scar tissue
• Strength and stability
• Daily posture and ergonomics
• Stress and recovery habits

When only one part of the problem is treated, the pain often returns.

A Complete Approach to Neck Pain Treatment

At Lake Street Chiropractic, we use an integrated chiropractic approach to help patients achieve longer-lasting relief and better function.

Chiropractic Adjustments

Traditional chiropractic care helps restore proper alignment and motion to the cervical spine (neck) and upper thoracic spine (upper back).

Restricted joints in the spine can contribute to:

• Neck stiffness
• Reduced mobility
• Muscle tension
• Headaches
• Nerve irritation
• Pain radiating into the shoulders or arms

Gentle chiropractic adjustments help improve movement and reduce stress on the surrounding muscles and nerves.

Active Release Techniques® (ART)

ART® (Active Release Techniques) is a specialized soft tissue treatment designed to break up adhesions and scar tissue within tight muscles, tendons, and fascia.

Over time, injured or overused muscles can become shortened and restricted, leading to chronic tension and pain.

ART helps:

• Release tight muscles
• Improve mobility
• Reduce muscle tension
• Improve circulation
• Restore proper movement patterns

This combination of gentle adjustments and soft tissue treatment is often highly effective for chronic neck and upper back tension.

Stretching and Mobility Work

Proper neck and upper back stretching helps maintain motion between treatments.

Without regular movement and mobility exercises, muscles and joints can quickly tighten up again — especially for people who spend long hours sitting at desks or working on computers.

Consistent stretching can help:

• Improve flexibility
• Reduce stiffness
• Support better posture
• Decrease recurring tension

Acupuncture for Neck Pain

Acupuncture can also be an effective tool for reducing pain and muscle tension.

It may help:

• Relax tight muscles
• Improve joint motion
• Reduce inflammation
• Promote healing
• Decrease stress and tension

For some patients, acupuncture works very well alongside chiropractic adjustments and ART treatments.

The Missing Piece: Active Exercise Rehabilitation

One of the biggest reasons neck pain keeps coming back is a lack of proper strengthening and rehabilitation.

It’s not enough to simply restore motion to the spine — you also need to restore strength and stability.

Weak neck, shoulder, and upper back muscles can make it difficult for chiropractic adjustments to “hold.”

That’s why active exercise rehabilitation is so important.

Active exercise rehab helps:

• Improve posture
• Create spinal stability
• Strengthen supporting muscles
• Reduce recurring strain
• Improve long-term results

At Lake Street Chiropractic, we often say:

“Active exercise rehabilitation is the glue that helps the adjustments hold.”

Desk Setup and Posture Matters

Poor workstation ergonomics are a major contributor to chronic neck and upper back pain.

Improper desk setup can create constant stress on the muscles and joints of the neck, leading to those stubborn “knots” and tension patterns.

Important considerations include:

• Monitor height
• Chair support
• Keyboard position
• Sitting posture
• Taking regular movement breaks

Even small ergonomic improvements can make a significant difference. Checkout Healthline’s article: “The Ultimate Deskercise Routine: Stretches for the Office“

Stress Can Affect Neck Pain Too

Stress has a direct impact on the body.

When stress levels rise, muscles tighten, posture changes, and tension builds throughout the neck and shoulders.

For many people, stress management and relaxation techniques also need to be part of the long-term solution.

This may include:

• Regular movement breaks
• Stretching
• Exercise
• Deep breathing
• Better sleep habits
• Stress reduction strategies

An Integrated Approach to Long-Term Relief

At Lake Street Chiropractic, our integrated chiropractic approach may include:

• Chiropractic adjustments
• Active Release Techniques® (ART)
• Active exercise rehabilitation
• Acupuncture
• Stress reduction strategies
• Ergonomic and desk setup recommendations

By addressing the full picture, we help patients improve movement, reduce pain, and support longer-lasting results.

Don’t Ignore Recurring Neck Pain

If your neck pain keeps returning, your body may be telling you that the underlying issue hasn’t been fully corrected.

Whether you’re dealing with stiffness, tension headaches, restricted motion, or pain radiating into the shoulders or arms, a comprehensive treatment approach can help.

At Lake Street Chiropractic in St. Catharines, we’re here to help you move better, feel better, and stay active.

Keep up with your stretching, stay consistent with strengthening exercises, and make sure your spine is functioning properly.

Sometimes the best thing you can do is simply have your spine checked before small issues become bigger problems.

Book an Appointment

Lake Street Chiropractic – St. Catharines, Ontario

Online Booking

P: 905-641-0400 E: lakestreetchiropractic@gmail.com

The post Why Your Neck Pain Keeps Coming Back (And How to Fix It) first appeared on Lake Street Chiropractic | St. Catharines Chiropractor.

At Lake Street Chiropractic, we take an integrated approach—combining chiropractic adjustments, Active Release Technique (ART), acupuncture, and active exercise rehabilitation—to address the root cause and restore proper function.

Not All Shoulder Pain Is the Same

The first step in effective treatment is determining exactly what kind of shoulder problem you’re dealing with.

1. Neck & Upper Back-Related Shoulder Pain

Many patients describe pain in the upper back or neck as “shoulder pain.” These cases often involve:

• Cervical (neck) spine dysfunction
• Thoracic (upper back) restrictions
• Muscle tension in the trapezius, rhomboids, and surrounding tissues

In these situations, the issue isn’t the shoulder joint itself—but rather how the spine and supporting muscles are functioning.

Best treatment approach:

• Chiropractic adjustments to restore spinal alignment
• Active Release Technique (ART) to reduce muscle tension and adhesions
• Acupuncture to decrease pain and inflammation

This integrated approach helps relieve tension, improve mobility, and restore proper movement patterns.

2. True Shoulder Joint Problems

The second major category involves the shoulder joint itself (the glenohumeral joint) and surrounding muscles, including:

• Deltoids
• Rotator cuff muscles
• Biceps and triceps

These issues are often caused by:

• Repetitive overhead movements
• Sports or workplace strain
• Micro-tearing of muscles and tendons

Over time, this can lead to inflammation, scar tissue buildup, and reduced range of motion.

Common symptoms include:

• Pain with reaching overhead or behind your back
• Weakness in the shoulder
• Limited mobility
• Difficulty with daily activities

Why Shoulder Pain Becomes Chronic

Shoulder tendons have a relatively poor blood supply, making them slower to heal. When combined with ongoing muscle tightness and repetitive strain, this creates a cycle of:

1. Tight muscles
2. Increased friction on tendons and joints
3. Inflammation
4. Scar tissue formation

Unless the underlying tension and dysfunction are addressed, this cycle continues—no matter how much rest or icing you do.

Our Integrated Treatment Approach

The most effective way to treat shoulder pain is by combining multiple therapies that address different aspects of the problem.

Active Release Technique (ART)

ART is a hands-on soft tissue therapy that targets:

• Scar tissue adhesions
• Tight muscles and fascia
• Restricted movement patterns

By treating individual muscles (including the rotator cuff, deltoids, traps, and more), ART helps restore mobility and reduce the mechanical stress driving inflammation.

Chiropractic Adjustments

Chiropractic care focuses on restoring proper joint motion and optimizing nerve function.

• Improves movement in the spine and shoulder joint
• Reduces compensations that contribute to pain
• Supports long-term function and stability

Acupuncture

Acupuncture is highly effective for:

• Reducing pain and inflammation
• Improving circulation
• Promoting natural healing responses

It works especially well alongside ART and chiropractic care.

Active Exercise Rehabilitation

Once pain and restriction are reduced, strengthening becomes essential.

Rehabilitation exercises help:

• Improve shoulder stability
• Restore strength and control
• Prevent future injuries

The Key to Success: Proper Treatment Order

One of the biggest mistakes in treating shoulder pain is jumping straight to strengthening or only focusing on inflammation.

A more effective sequence is:

1. Reduce tension and restriction (ART, adjustments, acupuncture)
2. Control inflammation (ice, recovery strategies)
3. Rebuild strength and stability (exercise rehab)

Skipping steps often leads to incomplete recovery or recurring pain.

Common Conditions We Treat

Our integrated approach is effective for many shoulder-related conditions, including:

• Shoulder impingement syndrome
• Rotator cuff injuries
• Frozen shoulder (adhesive capsulitis)
• Tendinitis and bursitis
• Neck-related shoulder pain

Injury Prevention Matters Too

This approach isn’t just for recovery—it’s also highly effective for prevention.

We regularly work with:

• Athletes 
• Tradespeople and overhead workers
• Individuals with repetitive strain from work or daily activities

Keeping muscles mobile and joints functioning properly helps prevent chronic issues before they start.

Shoulder Pain Treatment in St. Catharines

If you’re dealing with shoulder pain, limited mobility, or ongoing discomfort, a targeted and integrated approach can make all the difference.

At our clinic, we combine:

• Active Release Technique (ART)
• Chiropractic adjustments
• Acupuncture
• Active exercise rehabilitation

To help you recover fully and get back to doing what you enjoy.

Check out Dr. Geron Cowherd, DC, performing ART for a shoulder injury.

Book Your Appointment

Online booking made easy! Follow this link: Online Booking

Don’t let shoulder pain limit your life—get the right diagnosis and the right treatment plan.

BONUS! Here’s a few simple shoulder stretches from Ontario Chiropractic Association: Easy Stretches for Your Shoulders

The post Shoulder Pain Relief in St. Catharines: A Complete Chiropractic Approach first appeared on Lake Street Chiropractic | St. Catharines Chiropractor.

If you’ve been dealing with muscle tightness, nerve pain, or lingering injuries that just won’t go away, you may have heard of Active Release Technique (ART). But what exactly is it—and how can it help you?

At our chiropractic clinic in St. Catharines, Ontario, ART is one of the most effective tools we use to treat soft tissue injuries and restore pain-free movement.

What Is Active Release Technique (ART)?

Active Release Technique (ART) is a specialized, hands-on soft tissue therapy designed to treat problems in muscles, tendons, ligaments, fascia, and nerves.

It works by combining:

• Precise tension/pressure from the provider
• Active movement from the patient

This combination allows your chiropractor to identify and treat the exact source of pain or restriction, rather than just addressing symptoms.

ART is both:

• Diagnostic – helping identify abnormal tissue texture, tightness, and restricted movement
• Therapeutic – actively breaking down adhesions and restoring normal function

How Does ART Work?

Over time, scar tissue and adhesions can form due to:

• Overuse
• Injury or trauma
• Poor posture
• Repetitive movements

These adhesions can:

• Limit mobility
• Cause pain and stiffness
• Trap or irritate nerves

During an ART session, your provider will:

1. Apply targeted tension to the affected tissue
2. Guide you through specific movements
3. Break up adhesions and restore proper tissue motion

The result? Improved flexibility, reduced pain, and better overall function.

Benefits of ART Treatment

ART is a non-invasive, highly effective treatment with a wide range of benefits:

• Helps relieve muscle and joint pain
• Improves mobility and flexibility
• Speeds up recovery from injuries
• Targets the root cause—not just symptoms
• No medication or downtime required
• Cost-effective and efficient

Whether you’re dealing with chronic pain or just want to move better, ART can help.

Conditions Treated with ART

ART is suitable for people of all activity levels—from athletes to office workers. It’s commonly used to treat:

• Back pain
• Sciatica
• Shoulder pain
• Carpal tunnel syndrome
• TMJ (jaw pain and tension)
• Headaches and migraines
• Sprains and strains
• Foot and ankle pain
• Repetitive strain injuries
• Nerve entrapments

By breaking down scar tissue and adhesions, ART helps restore pain-free movement and long-term function.

Who Can Perform ART?

ART is performed by certified healthcare professionals, including:

• Chiropractors
• Physiotherapists
• Massage therapists

To become certified, providers must complete specialized ART training and recertify annually, ensuring they stay up to date with the latest techniques.

The History of ART

Active Release Technique was developed by Dr. P. Michael Leahy, a chiropractor who worked extensively with athletes.

With a background in engineering and biomechanics, Dr. Leahy recognized the need for a more effective way to treat soft tissue injuries. He created ART to provide a targeted, long-term solution—and it has since become a trusted treatment used worldwide.

Check out this wonderful video of Dr. Leahy sharing more about ART: activerelease.com

Looking for ART in St. Catharines?

If you’re experiencing pain, tightness, or limited mobility, Active Release Technique may be the solution you’ve been looking for.

At our chiropractic clinic, we combine ART, chiropractic adjustments, acupuncture, and exercise rehabilitation to help you move and feel your best.

Ready to get started? Book your appointment today and take the first step toward pain-free movement.

Online booking available here: Online Booking

Questions? Feel free to contact us anytime: Contact

The post What Is Active Release Technique (ART)? first appeared on Lake Street Chiropractic | St. Catharines Chiropractor.

What is Active Release Technique (ART)?

Active Release Technique (ART) is a highly specialized manual therapy used to treat soft tissue restrictions in the body.

These restrictions can develop in:

• Muscles
• Tendons
• Ligaments
• Fascia
• Nerves

They often result from overuse, repetitive strain, trauma, or poor movement patterns.

ART combines precise hands-on pressure with specific patient movements to help break down adhesions and restore normal tissue function.

Benefits of Active Release Technique (ART) include:

• Reduced muscle tightness
• Decreased pain
• Improved range of motion
• Better movement efficiency
• Enhanced overall function

Lower Extremity Conditions Treated with ART

Lower extremity ART techniques are highly effective for addressing a wide variety of conditions affecting the feet, ankles, knees, hips, and surrounding structures.

Common conditions include:

Foot & Ankle:

• Plantar fasciitis
• Metatarsalgia
• Achilles tendinitis

Knee:

• Patellofemoral pain syndrome (runner’s knee / jumper’s knee)
• Meniscal irritation or dysfunction
• Ligament sprains

Hip & Thigh:

• Hip bursitis
• Arthritis-related soft tissue restriction
• Quadriceps, hamstring, groin (adductor), and calf strains

Nerve-Related Pain:

• Sciatic nerve irritation
• Sciatica and related low back pain patterns
• By improving soft tissue mobility and reducing nerve tension, ART helps restore proper biomechanics and reduce compensatory strain throughout the body.

ART for Athletic Performance and Injury Prevention

While ART is widely used for injury rehabilitation, it is also highly effective for performance optimization.

Athletes and active individuals often use ART to:

• Improve movement efficiency
• Prevent overuse injuries
• Enhance recovery time
• Optimize training performance

Sports that benefit from Active Release Technique (ART) include:

• Running
• Cycling
• Skating
• Field and court sports
• Any activity involving repetitive lower-body movement

Combining ART with Chiropractic Care

When Active Release Technique (ART) is combined with chiropractic adjustments, the results can be especially powerful.

• Chiropractic care restores proper joint alignment and mobility
• ART addresses surrounding soft tissue restrictions

Together, they create a comprehensive approach that supports:

• Pain reduction
• Improved mobility
• Faster recovery
• Long-term injury prevention
• Enhanced athletic performance

Final Thoughts

The ART Lower Extremity Level 1 seminar in Montreal provided an opportunity to advance clinical skills and deepen understanding of how targeted soft tissue treatment can significantly improve patient outcomes.

Dr. Geron Cowherd, DC, continues to integrate these evidence-informed techniques into care, helping patients recover faster and move better.

If you are dealing with pain, stiffness, or a sports-related injury, you can book an appointment here: Online Booking

If you’d like to learn more about how ART can help, we encourage you to read more on the official ART website: ART Treatment for Patients or ask Dr. Cowherd at your next visit!

The post Dr. Geron Cowherd, DC, Teaches Active Release Technique (ART) Lower Extremity Seminar in Montreal first appeared on Lake Street Chiropractic | St. Catharines Chiropractor.

The post Shovel Light, Shovel Right! first appeared on Lake Street Chiropractic | St. Catharines Chiropractor.

Elaine came to our clinic after a Multi fractured right elbow injury with pins and wires (December 2016) Injured right shoulder, forearm, hand  & wrist. She was completely immobilized on her right arm.

Elaine’s success story today!! I quote: ” After seeing Dr. Cowherd for 4 months and receiving Active Release Treatments,my arm recovery has been absolutely miraculous!….Now I am at 90-95% recovery!! I am so grateful to Dr. Cowherd and his staff for their amazing assistance in my healing recovery!. with thanks–Elaine Tanner OC” The Mighty Mouse!

The post Success Story!! Active Release Technique, ART! first appeared on Lake Street Chiropractic | St. Catharines Chiropractor.