Frozen shoulder, medically known
as adhesive capsulitis, is a condition categorized as shoulder pain and stiffness that can significantly disrupt
your daily activities. When this condition is related
to cervical spinal stenosis, the tenderness can be even more demanding.
Fortunately, chiropractic care has a viable solution
to manage and ease these symptoms.
Understanding the Connection: Cervical Spine & Shoulder
What is Cervical Spinal Stenosis? Cervical spinal stenosis
is a condition in which the spaces within the spine narrow,
putting pressure on the nerves that travel
through the spine. This can relate to symptoms such
as neck pain, numbness, tingling, and weakness in the shoulders
and arms.
How Does It Cause Frozen Shoulder? The connection between
cervical spinal stenosis and frozen shoulder stems from the common
nerve pathways. When the nerves in the cervical region
are compressed, referred pain and restricted movement in the shoulder may result.
This is reinforced by research, including a study
by Russo et al., which found a significant association
between cervical foraminal stenosis and adhesive capsulitis. (1) Williamson
chiropractic care presents itself for relief!
Benefits of Chiropractic Care
Chiropractic care focuses on diagnosing and treating
musculoskeletal disorders, particularly those involving
the spine. Here is how it can benefit
patients with frozen shoulder associated with cervical spinal
stenosis:
Cervical Spine Stenosis Relief - Chiropractors utilize
a variety of techniques to relieve the symptoms of
cervical spinal stenosis. One such technique is flexion distraction manipulation (Cox Technic), which has
been shown to effectively decrease foraminal stenosis and
radiculopathy. (2) This method helps to decompress
the spinal discs and widen the spaces within the spine, lessening
nerve pressure.
Cervical Spine Disc Herniation Foraminal Narrowing and Frozen
Shoulder Pain Relief - Chiropractic adjustments can also directly address
the shoulder. Techniques such as the Cox® cervical
flexion-distraction technique have proven to be efficacious in managing conditions like disc herniation with foraminal narrowing. (3).
These adjustments help regain mobility to the
shoulder joint and reduce pain.
Steps to Effective Chiropractic Treatment
The first step in Williamson chiropractic care is an extensive assessment to be
aware of the root cause of symptoms. This includes
physical tests and imaging studies, if necessary. Based on
the diagnosis, a chiropractor will develop a
personalized treatment plan. This plan may include spinal
adjustments, physical therapy exercises, and lifestyle recommendations to promote
overall spinal health. Regular monitoring and treatments make sure
that progress is being made and that any necessary changes
to the treatment plan are applied. Further, numerous
studies back the efficacy of chiropractic care for conditions
like cervical spinal stenosis and thereby potentially frozen
shoulder. For example, Wu et al. (4) emphasized
the cross-talk between shoulder and neck pain, further assisting
the role of Williamson chiropractic care in overseeing
these interconnected conditions.
CONTACT Apple Country Chiropractic
Listen to this PODCAST
with Dr. Sarah Murrow on The
Back Doctors Podcast with Dr. Michael Johnson as she
describes a case of neck and shoulder pain relieved and
managed via The Cox® Technic System of Spinal Pain Management.
If you are struggling
with the dual challenges of cervical spinal stenosis and frozen
shoulder, Williamson chiropractic care could be the solution
you need. By addressing the root causes of your pain and delivering
targeted relief, your Williamson chiropractor can help
you get back mobility and enhance your quality of
life. Book a consultation with Apple Country Chiropractic today and start
your journey to pain relief!