Frozen shoulder, medically known
as adhesive capsulitis, is a condition characterized by shoulder pain and stiffness that can significantly impair
your daily activities. When this condition is linked
to cervical spinal stenosis, the discomfort can be even more demanding.
Luckily, 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 that travel
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 common
nerve pathways. When the nerves in the cervical region
are compressed, it can lead to referred pain and restricted movement in the
shoulder.
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) Auburn
chiropractic care presents itself for relief!
Benefits of Chiropractic Care
Chiropractic care focuses on diagnosing and treating
musculoskeletal disorders, especially those involving
the spine. Here is how it can benefit
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 reduce foraminal stenosis and
radiculopathy. (2) This method helps to decompress
the spinal discs and widen the spaces within the spine, lessening
pressure on the nerves.
Cervical Spine Disc Herniation Foraminal Narrowing and Frozen
Shoulder Pain Relief - Chiropractic adjustments can also directly help
the shoulder. Techniques like the Cox® cervical
flexion-distraction technique have proven effective in dealing
with 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 Auburn 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 a
personalized treatment plan. This plan may involve spinal
adjustments, physical therapy exercises, and lifestyle recommendations to foster
overall spinal health. Regular monitoring and treatments make sure
that progress is being made and that any necessary changes
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) presented
the cross-talk between shoulder and neck pain, further supporting
the role of Auburn chiropractic care in overseeing
these interconnected conditions.
CONTACT Dr. Le's Chiropractic & Wellness, L.L.C.
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 with The Cox® Technic System of Spinal Pain Management.
If you’re suffering
with the twofold challenges of cervical spinal stenosis and frozen
shoulder, Auburn chiropractic care could be the intervention
you need. By getting to the root causes of your pain and providing
targeted relief, your Auburn chiropractor can help
you get back mobility and improve your quality of
life. Book a consultation with Dr. Le's Chiropractic & Wellness, L.L.C. today and start
your journey to pain relief!