Frozen Shoulder: What Is It and How Can Chiropractic Care Help?
If your shoulder has become painful and increasingly difficult to move, you may be dealing with frozen shoulder. The condition can make everyday activities like reaching overhead, putting on a jacket, or reaching behind your back surprisingly difficult.
Frozen shoulder can be frustrating because it often develops gradually and can take time to resolve. Understanding what's happening to your shoulder is the first step toward addressing it.
What Is Frozen Shoulder?
Frozen shoulder, also called adhesive capsulitis, occurs when the connective tissue surrounding the shoulder joint becomes irritated, thickened, and tight. As the joint capsule tightens, movement becomes increasingly restricted.
One of the defining characteristics of frozen shoulder is that both active and passive movement are limited. In other words, you may have difficulty moving your shoulder yourself, and your range of motion may also be restricted when someone else moves your arm.
What Does Frozen Shoulder Feel Like?
Common symptoms include:
Shoulder pain that may be worse at night
Increasing stiffness
Difficulty reaching overhead
Difficulty reaching behind your back
Trouble putting on or taking off clothing
Decreased range of motion
Frozen shoulder typically develops gradually rather than appearing suddenly.
The Three Stages of Frozen Shoulder
Frozen shoulder is commonly described in three stages:
1. Freezing Stage
Pain gradually increases and shoulder movement becomes more limited. This stage can last several months.
2. Frozen Stage
Pain may begin to decrease, but stiffness can become more pronounced. Shoulder movement may remain significantly restricted.
3. Thawing Stage
Shoulder mobility gradually improves. This stage can also take several months.
The entire process can last anywhere from several months to a few years, although the experience varies from person to person.
How Can Chiropractic Care Help?
Treatment for frozen shoulder is generally focused on managing pain and improving mobility.
Depending on your individual condition, chiropractic care may include:
Gentle joint and soft tissue techniques
Active Release Technique (ART) when appropriate
Mobility exercises and stretches
Exercises to improve shoulder function
Treatment of related areas, such as the neck and upper back
The goal is to help maintain and gradually improve movement while addressing contributing factors.
Treatment will depend on the stage of frozen shoulder and how your shoulder is responding. Your chiropractor can help determine which techniques and exercises are appropriate for you.
Is All Shoulder Pain Frozen Shoulder?
No. Shoulder pain can have many different causes, including rotator cuff injuries, tendonitis, bursitis, arthritis, and other conditions.
That's why an evaluation is important. If your shoulder is painful or becoming increasingly difficult to move, your chiropractor can assess your range of motion and determine whether your symptoms are consistent with frozen shoulder or whether further evaluation may be appropriate.
The Bigger Picture
Frozen shoulder can be a long process, but that doesn't mean you have to simply ignore the pain and stiffness while waiting for it to resolve.
An appropriate treatment plan can help manage symptoms, maintain mobility, and support your shoulder as it progresses through the different stages of the condition.
If you're experiencing persistent shoulder pain or difficulty moving your arm, our team can help determine what's contributing to your symptoms and whether chiropractic care may be appropriate for you.
