Frozen Shoulder and Neck Pain Connection of Pain and Chiropractic Relief
Frozen shoulder, medically known as adhesive capsulitis, is a condition categorized as shoulder pain and stiffness that can significantly impair your daily activities. When this condition is linked to cervical spinal stenosis, the tenderness can be even more demanding. Fortunately, chiropractic care offers a viable solution to manage and alleviate 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 get smaller, creating pressure on the nerves traveling through the spine. This can relate to symptoms such as neck pain, numbness, tingling, and weakness affecting the shoulders and arms.
How Does It Cause Frozen Shoulder? The connection between cervical spinal stenosis and frozen shoulder lies in the shared nerve pathways. When the nerves in the cervical region are compressed, referred pain and restricted movement in the shoulder may result. This is supported by research, including a study by Russo et al., which found a significant link 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, particularly those that involve the spine. Here’s how it can be beneficial to 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. Flexion distraction spinal manipulation aka Cox Technic has been shown to effectively reduce 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 help the shoulder. Techniques such as the Cox® cervical flexion-distraction technique have proven effective in managing 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 chiropractic care is an in-depth examination to be aware of the root cause of symptoms. This consists of physical examinations and imaging studies, if necessary. Based on the diagnosis, a chiropractor will create an individualized treatment plan. This plan may involve spinal adjustments, physical therapy exercises, and lifestyle recommendations to promote overall spinal health. Regular monitoring and treatments ensure that progress is being made and that any necessary modifications to the treatment plan are employed. Further, many studies back the efficacy of chiropractic care for conditions like cervical spinal stenosis and thereby potentially frozen shoulder. For example, Wu et al. (4) discussed the cross-talk between shoulder and neck pain, further supporting the role of Manchester chiropractic care in overseeing these interlinked 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 illustrates 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, Manchester chiropractic care could be the solution you need. By getting to the root causes of your pain and delivering targeted relief, your Manchester chiropractor may well help you regain mobility and enhance your quality of life. Set up a consultation with Manchester Chiropractic & Sports Injuries today and begin your journey to pain relief!
