Frozen shoulder, medically known
as adhesive capsulitis, is a condition characterized by 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 challenging.
Fortunately, chiropractic care has 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 traveling
through the spine. This can relate to indicators 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 lies in 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) San Jose
chiropractic care offers itself for relief!
Benefits of Chiropractic Care
Chiropractic care focuses on diagnosing and treating
musculoskeletal disorders, particularly those concerning
the spine. Here is how it can benefit
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 (Cox Technic), which has
been shown to effectively decrease foraminal stenosis and
radiculopathy. (2) This method helps to decompress
the spinal discs and widen the spaces within the spine, lessening
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 to be efficacious in managing conditions like disc herniation with foraminal narrowing. (3).
These adjustments help restore mobility to the
shoulder joint and lower pain.
Steps to Effective Chiropractic Treatment
The first step in San Jose chiropractic care is an
in-depth assessment to be
aware of the root cause of symptoms. This includes
physical tests and imaging studies, if necessary. Based on
the diagnosis, a chiropractor will create 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 confirms
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 potentially frozen
shoulder. For example, Wu et al. (4) presented
the cross-talk between shoulder and neck pain, further supporting
the role of San Jose chiropractic care in overseeing
these interlinked conditions.
CONTACT Chiropractic Solutions
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 are suffering
with the dual challenges of cervical spinal stenosis and frozen
shoulder, San Jose chiropractic care could be the solution
you need. By getting to the root causes of your pain and providing
targeted relief, your San Jose chiropractor can help
you regain mobility and improve your quality of
life. Book a consultation with Chiropractic Solutions today and begin
your journey to pain relief!