Frozen Shoulder and Neck Pain Connection of Pain and Chiropractic Relief

October 01, 2024

Frozen shoulder, clinically recognized 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 related to cervical spinal stenosis, the discomfort can be even more demanding. Fortunately, 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 narrow, creating 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 stems from the common 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 reported a significant link between cervical foraminal stenosis and adhesive capsulitis. (1) Concord, NC 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’s how it can be beneficial to patients with frozen shoulder associated with cervical spinal stenosis:

Cervical Spine Stenosis Relief Chiropractors use a variety of techniques to relieve the symptoms of cervical spinal stenosis. Flexion distraction spinal manipulation aka Cox Technic has been shown to effectively reduce foraminal stenosis and radiculopathy. (2) This method helps to decompress 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 address the shoulder. Techniques such as the Cox® cervical flexion-distraction technique have proven to be efficacious in managing conditions like disc herniation with foraminal narrowing. (3) These treatments help restore mobility to the shoulder joint and lower pain.

Steps to Effective Chiropractic Treatment

The first step in chiropractic care is an extensive examination to identify the root cause of symptoms. This consists of physical examinations and imaging studies, if necessary. Based on the diagnosis, a chiropractor will develop a personalized 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 changes to the treatment plan are applied. 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) discussed the cross-talk between shoulder and neck pain, further supporting the role of Concord, NC chiropractic care in overseeing these interconnected conditions.

CONTACT Pure Chiropractic

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 are dealing with the twofold challenges of cervical spinal stenosis and frozen shoulder, Concord, NC chiropractic care could be the solution you need. By addressing the root causes of your pain and delivering targeted relief, your Concord, NC chiropractor can help you regain mobility and enhance your quality of life. Book a consultation with Pure Chiropractic today and begin your journey to pain relief!

Concord, NC chiropractic care relief for frozen shoulder