Frozen shoulder, clinically recognized
as adhesive capsulitis, is a condition described
as shoulder pain and stiffness that can significantly disrupt
your activities of daily living. When this condition is linked
to cervical spinal stenosis, the discomfort can be even more demanding.
Fortunately, chiropractic care has a viable solution
to manage and ease 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 that move
through the spine. This can relate to symptoms 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 the nerves in the cervical region
are compressed, referred pain and restricted movement in the shoulder may result.
This is supported by researchlike a study
by Russo et al., which reported a significant link
between cervical foraminal stenosis and adhesive capsulitis. (1) Largo
chiropractic care offers itself for relief!
Benefits of Chiropractic Care
Chiropractic care focuses on diagnosing and treating
musculoskeletal disorders, especially those that involve
the spine. Here’s how it can benefit
patients with frozen shoulder associated with cervical spinal
stenosis:
Cervical Spine Stenosis Relief - Chiropractors use
various techniques to relieve 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 open the spaces within the spine, alleviating
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 effective in managing conditions like disc herniation with foraminal narrowing. (3).
These adjustments help regain mobility to the
shoulder joint and lower pain.
Steps to Effective Chiropractic Treatment
The first step in Largo chiropractic care is an
in-depth 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 an individualized treatment plan. This plan may include spinal
adjustments, physical therapy exercises, and lifestyle recommendations to foster
overall spinal health. Regular monitoring and treatments confirms
that progress is being made and that any necessary changes
to the treatment plan are applied. Further, many
studies support 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 assisting
the role of Largo chiropractic care in managing
these interlinked conditions.
CONTACT Hollstrom & Associates Inc
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 are suffering
with the dual challenges of cervical spinal stenosis and frozen
shoulder, Largo chiropractic care could be the solution
you need. By addressing the root causes of your pain and providing
targeted relief, your Largo chiropractor can help
you get back mobility and improve your quality of
life. Book a consultation with Hollstrom & Associates Inc today and begin
your journey to pain relief!