Frozen Shoulder and Neck Pain Connection of Pain and Chiropractic Relief
Frozen shoulder, medically known 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 discomfort can be even more challenging. Fortunately, chiropractic care offers a viable solution to manage and reduce 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 that travel 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, it can lead to referred pain and restricted movement in the shoulder. 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’s how it can be beneficial to patients with frozen shoulder related to cervical spinal stenosis:
Cervical Spine Stenosis Relief Chiropractors utilize a variety of techniques to relieve the symptoms of cervical spinal stenosis. One such technique is flexion distraction manipulation, 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, lowering 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 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 develop a personalized treatment plan. This plan may include spinal adjustments, physical therapy exercises, and lifestyle recommendations to encourage overall spinal health. Regular monitoring and treatments ensure that progress is being made and that any necessary changes to the treatment plan are applied. Further, numerous studies support the efficacy of chiropractic care for conditions like cervical spinal stenosis and thereby possibly frozen shoulder. For example, Wu et al. (4) highlighted the cross-talk between shoulder and neck pain, further assisting the role of Vancouver chiropractic care in managing 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 via The Cox® Technic System of Spinal Pain Management.
If you’re dealing with the twofold challenges of cervical spinal stenosis and frozen shoulder, Vancouver chiropractic care could be the answer you need. By addressing the root causes of your pain and delivering targeted relief, your Vancouver chiropractor may well help you get back mobility and enhance your quality of life. Book a consultation with Vancouver Disc Centers today and start your journey to pain relief!
