Frozen Shoulder and Neck Pain Connection of Pain and Chiropractic Relief
Frozen shoulder, clinically recognized as adhesive capsulitis, is a condition described as shoulder pain and stiffness that can significantly impair your daily activities. When this condition is related to cervical spinal stenosis, the tenderness can be even more challenging. Luckily, 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, putting pressure on the nerves traveling through the spine. This can lead 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 joint nerve pathways. When cervical spine nerves are compressed, referred pain and restricted movement in the shoulder may result. This is supported by research, including a study by Russo et al., which reported a significant link between cervical foraminal stenosis and adhesive capsulitis. (1) West Des Moines 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 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, which has been shown to effectively lower foraminal stenosis and radiculopathy. (2) This method helps to decompress the spinal discs and open 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 such as the Cox® cervical flexion-distraction technique have proven effective in dealing with conditions like disc herniation with foraminal narrowing. (3) These adjustments help regain mobility to the shoulder joint and reduce pain.
Steps to Effective Chiropractic Treatment
The first step in chiropractic care is an in-depth assessment to be aware of 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 include 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 changes to the treatment plan are employed. Further, many studies back the efficacy of chiropractic care for conditions like cervical spinal stenosis and thereby possibly frozen shoulder. For example, Wu et al. (4) emphasized the cross-talk between shoulder and neck pain, further supporting the role of West Des Moines chiropractic care in managing these interconnected conditions.
CONTACT Executive Chiropractic of Iowa
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 dual challenges of cervical spinal stenosis and frozen shoulder, West Des Moines chiropractic care could be the solution you need. By getting to the root causes of your pain and delivering targeted relief, your West Des Moines chiropractor may well help you regain mobility and enhance your quality of life. Book a consultation with Executive Chiropractic of Iowa today and start your journey to pain relief!
