Frozen shoulder, clinically recognized
as adhesive capsulitis, is a condition described
as shoulder pain and stiffness that can significantly impair
your daily activities. When this condition is related
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 narrow,
creating pressure on the nerves traveling
through the spine. This can relate to indicators 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 reinforced by research, including a study
by Russo et al., which reported a significant association
between cervical foraminal stenosis and adhesive capsulitis. (1) McHenry
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 be beneficial to
patients with frozen shoulder related to cervical spinal
stenosis:
Cervical Spine Stenosis Relief - Chiropractors use
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 lower foraminal stenosis and
radiculopathy. (2) This method assists in decompressing
the spinal discs and open the spaces within the spine, alleviating
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 to be efficacious 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 McHenry chiropractic care is an extensive assessment to identify the root cause of symptoms. This includes
physical tests and imaging studies, if necessary. Based on
the diagnosis, a chiropractor will develop an individualized treatment plan. This plan may involve spinal
adjustments, physical therapy exercises, and lifestyle recommendations to encourage
overall spinal health. Regular monitoring and treatments make sure
that progress is being made and that any necessary modifications
to the treatment plan are applied. 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) highlighted
the cross-talk between shoulder and neck pain, further assisting
the role of McHenry chiropractic care in overseeing
these interlinked conditions.
CONTACT OrthoIllinois 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 with The Cox® Technic System of Spinal Pain Management.
If you are suffering
with the dual challenges of cervical spinal stenosis and frozen
shoulder, McHenry chiropractic care could be the solution
you need. By addressing the root causes of your pain and providing
targeted relief, your McHenry chiropractor may well help
you get back mobility and enhance your quality of
life. Set up a consultation with OrthoIllinois Chiropractic today and start
your journey to pain relief!