Frozen shoulder, medically known
as adhesive capsulitis, is a condition described
as shoulder pain and stiffness that can significantly disrupt
your daily activities. When this condition is linked
to cervical spinal stenosis, the tenderness can be even more demanding.
Luckily, 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 an issue in which the spaces within the spine narrow,
creating pressure on the nerves traveling
through the spine. This can relate to indicators 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 shared
nerve pathways. When cervical spine nerves
are compressed, referred pain and restricted movement in the shoulder may result.
This is reinforced by researchlike a study
by Russo et al., which found a significant association
between cervical foraminal stenosis and adhesive capsulitis. (1) Manchester
chiropractic care presents itself for relief!
Benefits of Chiropractic Care
Chiropractic care focuses on diagnosing and treating
musculoskeletal disorders, especially those that involve
the spine. Here is how it can be beneficial to
patients with frozen shoulder associated with cervical spinal
stenosis:
Cervical Spine Stenosis Relief - Chiropractors use
a variety of techniques to ease the symptoms of
cervical spinal stenosis. One such technique is flexion distraction manipulation (Cox Technic), which has
been shown to effectively lower foraminal stenosis and
radiculopathy. (2) This method assists in decompressing
the spinal discs and widen the spaces within the spine, alleviating
nerve pressure.
Cervical Spine Disc Herniation Foraminal Narrowing and Frozen
Shoulder Pain Relief - Chiropractic adjustments can also directly address
the shoulder. Techniques like the Cox® cervical
flexion-distraction technique have proven to be efficacious in dealing
with conditions like disc herniation with foraminal narrowing. (3).
These treatments help regain mobility to the
shoulder joint and reduce pain.
Steps to Effective Chiropractic Treatment
The first step in Manchester chiropractic care is an
in-depth examination to understand the root cause of symptoms. This consists of
physical tests and imaging studies, if necessary. Based on
the diagnosis, a chiropractor will create 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 confirms
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 possibly frozen
shoulder. For example, Wu et al. (4) emphasized
the cross-talk between shoulder and neck pain, further assisting
the role of Manchester chiropractic care in managing
these interconnected conditions.
CONTACT Manchester Chiropractic & Sports Injuries
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’re dealing
with the dual challenges of cervical spinal stenosis and frozen
shoulder, Manchester chiropractic care could be the answer
you need. By addressing the root causes of your pain and delivering
targeted relief, your Manchester chiropractor may well help
you get back mobility and enhance your quality of
life. Set up a consultation with Manchester Chiropractic & Sports Injuries today and start
your journey to pain relief!