Would you like to switch to the accessible version of this site?

Go to accessible site Close modal window

Don't need the accessible version of this site?

Hide the accessibility button Close modal window
Accessibility View Close toolbar

S31 W24757 Sunset Dr.

Waukesha, WI 53189 US

262-547-2250

Menu
  • Home
  • New Patient Center
    • Online Forms
    • Health Resources
  • About Us
    • Meet the Chiropractors
    • Meet the Acupuncturist
  • Services & Techniques
    • Chiropractic
    • Functional nutrition
      • Class sign up and pricing
    • Acupuncture
    • Massage
    • Yoga
    • Decompression therapy
    • Zerona Z6 laser
    • supplements
  • Testimonials
  • Contact Us
  • Pay Your Bill
  • Community Content
    • About Chiropractic Care
      • What is Chiropractic
      • How Does it Work
      • Who is Chiropractic For
      • Vertebral Subluxation
      • Wellness Resources
    • Common Conditions Treated
      • Auto Accident Injuries
      • Back and Shoulder Pain
      • Body Pain
      • Chronic Condition Relief
        • Conditions Affecting Women
        • Headaches
      • Herniated Discs
      • Improved Health
      • Pediatric Ailments
      • Repetitive Use Injuries
      • Respiratory Function
    • Health & Wellness
      • Healthy Thinking
        • Get Positive
        • Relaxation Techniques
      • Life in Motion
      • Wellness Lifestyle Tips
        • Treat Yourself Well
        • Treat Others Well
        • Eat Well
      • Wellness Essentials
        • At Home
        • At Work
        • Exercise
        • Nutrition
        • What You Wear
      • Wellness Perspectives
        • Mental
        • Spiritual
        • Social
        • Physical
    • Therapies & Techniques
      • Techniques
      • Therapies
    • Newsletter Library
      • Back, Body & Joint Pain
      • Healthy Tips
      • Exercise & Fitness
      • Injury Rehab & Prevention
      • Kid's Health
      • Illness Prevention
      • Chronic Conditions
      • Nutrition & Healthy Eating
      • Breaking Bad Habits
      • Senior Health
      • Weight Loss
      • Pregnancy & Parenting
      • Wellness
      • Mind-Body Connection
      • Stress & Anxiety
      • Life-Work Balance
      • Staying Young
      • Staying Motivated
    • Wellness4Kids
  • Office tour
  • Home >
  • Articles >
  • Newsletter Library >
  • Thaw Your Frozen Shoulder With Chiropractic

Thaw Your Frozen Shoulder With Chiropractic

  • Created in Newsletter Library

Woman experiencing frozen shoulder

Chiropractic Care for Frozen Shoulder Syndrome

Simple movements become painful or impossible when you have adhesive capsulitis, commonly called frozen shoulder. When your shoulder joint doesn't move freely, it's hard to raise your arm to retrieve a box of cereal from a high shelf, change a light bulb, or even hug a friend. Luckily, your chiropractor offers natural treatments that will improve your range of movement and decrease pain and inflammation.

How a Frozen Shoulder Develops

Your shoulder joint is surrounded by a layer of connective tissue called the shoulder capsule. If you injure your shoulder or have surgery, the connective tissue that forms the capsule may thicken or tighten, restricting the movement of your shoulder joint. Scar tissue, or adhesions, may also begin to form, limiting movement even more. You can also develop a frozen shoulder even if you don't remember injuring the joint.

Freezing is the first phase of the condition. While your shoulder is freezing, pain is common. You may also notice that it's a little difficult to move your shoulder. Once the condition reaches the frozen stage, pain may decrease, but raising or moving your arm will become very difficult.

Eventually, your shoulder will begin to thaw on its own. Unfortunately, the thawing process can take 6 months to 2 years, according to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.

How Chiropractic Treatment Can Speed the Thawing Process

If a year or two sounds like a long time to wait to use your shoulder, it's time to pay a visit to your chiropractic. Chiropractic treatment can relieve your pain and improve your ability to move your shoulder. After performing an examination and possibly ordering a test or two to determine the severity of your condition, your chiropractor may recommend one or more of these treatment options:

  • Spinal Manipulation. Your issues may not be solely limited to your shoulder if you have a frozen shoulder. Tightness in your shoulder capsule can stress nearby muscles, triggering muscle spasms and pulling the vertebrae in your spine out of alignment. Spinal manipulation, a hands-on chiropractic treatment that realigns your spine can be helpful. Manipulating your collarbone and shoulder may help relieve stiffness and spasms and improve your range of motion.
  • Niel Asher Technique. This painless technique involves stretching and manipulating the bones and tissues in the joint to loosen the shoulder. The technique can decrease pain and reduce stiffness and swelling that limits shoulder movement.
  • Massage and Soft Tissue Mobilization. Your chiropractor may use one or both of these therapies to break apart adhesions and loosen tight tissues that prevent your shoulder joint from moving freely. Treatments also improve blood flow and trigger the release of natural chemicals that act as pain killers.
  • Electrical Nerve Stimulation. Electrical nerve stimulation therapy prevents pain signals from reaching your brain. If your brain doesn't receive the signals, you won't feel pain. During the treatment, a gentle electrical current is delivered through electrodes placed on your skin.
  • Stretching Exercises. Your chiropractor will teach you several exercises that will help loosen your shoulder joint and improve your range of motion. Performing the exercises between visits to the chiropractic office will help you avoid setbacks in your treatment.

A retrospective case series published in the Journal of Chiropractic Medicine in 2012 revealed the positive effects of chiropractic treatment for frozen shoulder. Of the 50 cases reviewed, 16 patients experienced 100 percent improvement, 25 had 75 to 90 percent improvement, 8 patients noticed 50 to 75 percent improvement, and one showed 0 to 50 percent improvement after treatment. The length of treatment ranged from 11 to 51 days.

Are you ready to try chiropractic treatment for your frozen shoulder? Call our office to arrange your visit.

Sources:

Journal of Chiropractic Medicine, Chiropractic Management of Frozen Shoulder Syndrome Using a Novel Technique: A Retrospective Case Series of 50 Patients, 12/12

Chiropractic Economics: Thawing Out the Frozen Shoulder, 2/4/15

American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons: Frozen Shoulder

Niel Asher: Trigger Point Therapy – 5-Ste- Shoulder Technique, 11/24/18

  • About Chiropractic Care
    • What is Chiropractic
    • How Does it Work
    • Who is Chiropractic For
    • Vertebral Subluxation
    • Wellness Resources
  • Common Conditions Treated
    • Auto Accident Injuries
    • Back and Shoulder Pain
    • Body Pain
    • Chronic Condition Relief
      • Conditions Affecting Women
      • Headaches
    • Herniated Discs
    • Improved Health
    • Pediatric Ailments
    • Repetitive Use Injuries
    • Respiratory Function
  • Health & Wellness
    • Healthy Thinking
      • Get Positive
      • Relaxation Techniques
    • Life in Motion
    • Wellness Lifestyle Tips
      • Treat Yourself Well
      • Treat Others Well
      • Eat Well
    • Wellness Essentials
      • At Home
      • At Work
      • Exercise
      • Nutrition
      • What You Wear
    • Wellness Perspectives
      • Mental
      • Spiritual
      • Social
      • Physical
  • Therapies & Techniques
    • Techniques
    • Therapies
  • Newsletter Library
    • Back, Body & Joint Pain
    • Healthy Tips
    • Exercise & Fitness
    • Injury Rehab & Prevention
    • Kid's Health
    • Illness Prevention
    • Chronic Conditions
    • Nutrition & Healthy Eating
    • Breaking Bad Habits
    • Senior Health
    • Weight Loss
    • Pregnancy & Parenting
    • Wellness
    • Mind-Body Connection
    • Stress & Anxiety
    • Life-Work Balance
    • Staying Young
    • Staying Motivated
  • Wellness4Kids

Newsletter Signup

Sign up for more articles

  • COVID-19

    If you are sick, please reschedule your appointment.
  • Make an Appointment

    We will do our best to accommodate your busy schedule. Schedule an appointment today!
  • Online Forms

    Our patient forms are available online and can be completed in the privacy of your own home or office.

Office Hours

Monday:

9:00 am-7:00 pm

Tuesday:

9:00 AM-7:00 pm

Wednesday:

9:00 am-7:00 pm

Thursday:

9:00 am-7:00 pm

Friday:

9:00 am-5:00 pm

Saturday:

9:00 am-12:00 am

Sunday:

Closed

Location

Find us on the map

  • Copyright © 2023 MH Sub I, LLC dba iMatrix.
  • Admin Log In
  • Site Map