Frozen shoulder, medically known
as adhesive capsulitis, is a condition characterized by 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 challenging.
Fortunately, chiropractic care has a viable solution
to manage and reduce 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,
creating pressure on the nerves traveling
through the spine. This can lead 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 joint
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 researchlike a study
by Russo et al., which found a significant association
between cervical foraminal stenosis and adhesive capsulitis. (1) Vancouver
chiropractic care presents itself for relief!
Benefits of Chiropractic Care
Chiropractic care focuses on diagnosing and treating
musculoskeletal disorders, particularly those concerning
the spine. Here is how it can be beneficial to
patients with frozen shoulder related to 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 decrease foraminal stenosis and
radiculopathy. (2) This method helps to decompress
the spinal discs and widen the spaces within the spine, lowering
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 effective in dealing
with conditions like disc herniation with foraminal narrowing. (3).
These treatments help restore mobility to the
shoulder joint and lower pain.
Steps to Effective Chiropractic Treatment
The first step in Vancouver chiropractic care is a thorough assessment to identify the root cause of symptoms. This includes
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 implemented. Further, numerous
studies support 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 Vancouver chiropractic care in overseeing
these interconnected conditions.
CONTACT Vancouver Disc Centers
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 with The Cox® Technic System of Spinal Pain Management.
If you are suffering
with the dual challenges of cervical spinal stenosis and frozen
shoulder, Vancouver chiropractic care could be the answer
you need. By getting to the root causes of your pain and providing
targeted relief, your Vancouver chiropractor can help
you get back mobility and improve your quality of
life. Set up a consultation with Vancouver Disc Centers today and begin
your journey to pain relief!