Frozen shoulder

Frozen shoulder is also called adhesive capsulitis and is debilitating for those who have experienced it. It occurs most commonly in perimenopausal females, people who have other underlying metabolic conditions, or have had their shoulder immobilized while recovering from another injury. There are other conditions that may feel and look like a frozen shoulder such as tears of the rotator cuff and labrum, impingement, bursitis, and cervical disc herniations; a comprehensive history and examination serves to identify the structures leading to your symptoms.  

The name adhesive capsulitis identifies the pathological process at play: inflammation of the shoulder capsule and subsequent deposition of scar tissue. The scar tissue contracts over time limiting mobility, and the shoulder muscles also become adhered to the joint capsule and to each other. Chiropractic care supports healing of frozen shoulder by liberating adhesions from the soft tissues to generate muscle extensibility and gliding between muscles, tendons, and the joint. Active Release Techniques® shines with its clinical success in restoring muscle and ligament mobility. 

The treatment plan also includes measures to address inflammation and in particularly challenging cases, adding laser therapy to assist in resolving the inflammatory phase and support healing of the tissues with biomechanical integrity is often beneficial. Adjustments to optimize mechanics in the neck and thoracic spine, and rehabilitative homecare rounds out the recovery plan for this challenging condition.