Frozen Shoulder and Neck Pain Connection of Pain and Chiropractic Relief
Frozen shoulder, clinically recognized as adhesive capsulitis, is a condition characterized by shoulder pain and stiffness that can significantly impair your activities of daily living. When this condition is linked to cervical spinal stenosis, the tenderness can be even more challenging. Luckily, 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 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 affecting the shoulders and arms.
How Does It Cause Frozen Shoulder? The connection between cervical spinal stenosis and frozen shoulder lies in 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 research, including a study by Russo et al., which reported a significant link between cervical foraminal stenosis and adhesive capsulitis. (1) Auburn 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 decrease foraminal stenosis and radiculopathy. (2) This method assists in decompressing the spinal discs and open the spaces within the spine, lowering 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 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 chiropractic care is a thorough assessment to be aware of the root cause of symptoms. This consists of physical tests and imaging studies, if necessary. Based on the diagnosis, a chiropractor will create an individualized treatment plan. This plan may involve 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 implemented. Further, numerous studies back 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 Auburn chiropractic care in overseeing these interconnected conditions.
CONTACT Dr. Le's Chiropractic & Wellness, L.L.C.
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 with The Cox® Technic System of Spinal Pain Management.
If you’re dealing with the dual challenges of cervical spinal stenosis and frozen shoulder, Auburn chiropractic care could be the solution you need. By addressing the root causes of your pain and delivering targeted relief, your Auburn chiropractor may well help you get back mobility and enhance your quality of life. Set up a consultation with Dr. Le's Chiropractic & Wellness, L.L.C. today and start your journey to pain relief!
