Frozen shoulder, medically known
as adhesive capsulitis, is a condition categorized 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 alleviate these symptoms.
Understanding the Connection: Cervical Spine & Shoulder
What is Cervical Spinal Stenosis? Cervical spinal stenosis
is a condition in which the spaces within the spine get smaller,
creating pressure on the nerves that move
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 shared
nerve pathways. When cervical spine nerves
are compressed, it can lead to referred pain and restricted movement in the
shoulder.
This is supported by researchlike a study
by Russo et al., which found a significant link
between cervical foraminal stenosis and adhesive capsulitis. (1) Oxford
chiropractic care offers itself for relief!
Benefits of Chiropractic Care
Chiropractic care focuses on diagnosing and treating
musculoskeletal disorders, especially those involving
the spine. Here’s how it can benefit
patients with frozen shoulder related to 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 widen the spaces within the spine, lessening
nerve pressure.
Cervical Spine Disc Herniation Foraminal Narrowing and Frozen
Shoulder Pain Relief - Chiropractic adjustments can also directly address
the shoulder. Techniques such as the Cox® cervical
flexion-distraction technique have proven effective in managing conditions like disc herniation with foraminal narrowing. (3).
These adjustments help restore mobility to the
shoulder joint and reduce pain.
Steps to Effective Chiropractic Treatment
The first step in Oxford chiropractic care is a thorough examination to understand the root cause of symptoms. This consists of
physical tests 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 promote
overall spinal health. Regular monitoring and treatments make sure
that progress is being made and that any necessary modifications
to the treatment plan are employed. Further, numerous
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 supporting
the role of Oxford chiropractic care in overseeing
these interconnected conditions.
CONTACT Satterwhite Chiropractic
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 twofold challenges of cervical spinal stenosis and frozen
shoulder, Oxford chiropractic care could be the solution
you need. By addressing the root causes of your pain and delivering
targeted relief, your Oxford chiropractor may well help
you get back mobility and enhance your quality of
life. Book a consultation with Satterwhite Chiropractic today and start
your journey to pain relief!