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 linked
to cervical spinal stenosis, the discomfort can be even more challenging.
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 get smaller,
creating pressure on the nerves that travel
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 cervical spine nerves
are compressed, referred pain and restricted movement in the shoulder may result.
This is reinforced by research, including a study
by Russo et al., which found a significant link
between cervical foraminal stenosis and adhesive capsulitis. (1) Murfreesboro
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 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 lower foraminal stenosis and
radiculopathy. (2) This method helps to decompress
the spinal discs and widen the spaces within the spine, alleviating
nerve pressure.
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 treatments help regain mobility to the
shoulder joint and reduce pain.
Steps to Effective Chiropractic Treatment
The first step in Murfreesboro chiropractic care is a thorough assessment to identify the root cause of symptoms. This consists of
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 encourage
overall spinal health. Regular monitoring and treatments ensure
that progress is being made and that any necessary modifications
to the treatment plan are implemented. 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) emphasized
the cross-talk between shoulder and neck pain, further supporting
the role of Murfreesboro chiropractic care in overseeing
these interconnected conditions.
CONTACT Most Chiropractic Clinic
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 dual challenges of cervical spinal stenosis and frozen
shoulder, Murfreesboro chiropractic care could be the intervention
you need. By addressing the root causes of your pain and providing
targeted relief, your Murfreesboro chiropractor may well help
you get back mobility and improve your quality of
life. Set up a consultation with Most Chiropractic Clinic today and begin
your journey to pain relief!