Frozen shoulder, clinically recognized
as adhesive capsulitis, is a condition described
as shoulder pain and stiffness that can significantly impair
your activities of daily living. When this condition is related
to cervical spinal stenosis, the discomfort can be even more challenging.
Fortunately, chiropractic care has 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 get smaller,
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 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 supported by researchlike a study
by Russo et al., which reported a significant link
between cervical foraminal stenosis and adhesive capsulitis. (1) Manahawkin
chiropractic care presents itself for relief!
Benefits of Chiropractic Care
Chiropractic care focuses on diagnosing and treating
musculoskeletal disorders, particularly those that involve
the spine. Here’s how it can be beneficial to
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. Flexion distraction spinal manipulation aka Cox
Technic has
been shown to effectively decrease foraminal stenosis and
radiculopathy. (2) This method assists in decompressing
the spinal discs and open the spaces within the spine, lowering
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 managing conditions like disc herniation with foraminal narrowing. (3).
These treatments help regain mobility to the
shoulder joint and lower pain.
Steps to Effective Chiropractic Treatment
The first step in Manahawkin chiropractic care is a thorough examination to understand 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 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 modifications
to the treatment plan are implemented. Further, many
studies support the efficacy of chiropractic care for conditions
like cervical spinal stenosis and thereby possibly frozen
shoulder. For example, Wu et al. (4) discussed
the cross-talk between shoulder and neck pain, further supporting
the role of Manahawkin chiropractic care in managing
these interconnected conditions.
CONTACT Manahawkin Chiropractic Center
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 via The Cox® Technic System of Spinal Pain Management.
If you’re dealing
with the dual challenges of cervical spinal stenosis and frozen
shoulder, Manahawkin chiropractic care could be the answer
you need. By addressing the root causes of your pain and providing
targeted relief, your Manahawkin chiropractor may well help
you regain mobility and enhance your quality of
life. Set up a consultation with Manahawkin Chiropractic Center today and start
your journey to pain relief!