Frozen shoulder, medically known
as adhesive capsulitis, is a condition described
as 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 demanding.
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 a condition in which the spaces within the spine get smaller,
putting 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 the nerves in the cervical region
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 found a significant link
between cervical foraminal stenosis and adhesive capsulitis. (1) Toronto
chiropractic care presents itself for relief!
Benefits of Chiropractic Care
Chiropractic care focuses on diagnosing and treating
musculoskeletal disorders, particularly those involving
the spine. Here is how it can benefit
patients with frozen shoulder associated with cervical spinal
stenosis:
Cervical Spine Stenosis Relief - Chiropractors utilize
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, lowering
pressure on the nerves.
Cervical Spine Disc Herniation Foraminal Narrowing and Frozen
Shoulder Pain Relief - Chiropractic adjustments can also directly address
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 regain mobility to the
shoulder joint and lower pain.
Steps to Effective Chiropractic Treatment
The first step in Toronto chiropractic care is an
in-depth assessment to identify 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 involve 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 modifications
to the treatment plan are employed. Further, numerous
studies support 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 assisting
the role of Toronto chiropractic care in managing
these interconnected conditions.
CONTACT Yorkville Chiropractic and Wellness Centre
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 struggling
with the twofold challenges of cervical spinal stenosis and frozen
shoulder, Toronto chiropractic care could be the solution
you need. By getting to the root causes of your pain and delivering
targeted relief, your Toronto chiropractor may well help
you get back mobility and enhance your quality of
life. Set up a consultation with Yorkville Chiropractic and Wellness Centre today and begin
your journey to pain relief!