Frozen Shoulder and Chiropractic: The Effective Solution

Frozen shoulder, or adhesive capsulitis, is a painful condition in which the shoulder becomes stiff and less mobile. It affects about 2 to 5% of the population, mostly people between the ages of 40 and 60. It can take months or even years for the symptoms to disappear on their own. Fortunately, chiropractic offers a targeted and effective approach to speed recovery and reduce pain.

What is a frozen shoulder?

In frozen shoulder, the joint capsule of the shoulder becomes inflamed and thickened. This leads to:

• Pain: especially with movement, but also at rest.
• Stiffness: making the arm difficult to move.
• Movement restriction: everyday actions such as getting dressed or grabbing something from a closet become difficult.

Chiropractic treatment for a frozen shoulder

Chiropractic treatment focuses on improving functional movement disorders by performing corrections to the neck and shoulder. This includes:

• Cervical correction: Optimizing the movement and function of the cervical vertebrae, which can help reduce muscle tension and nerve irritation affecting the shoulder muscles.
• Correction of the shoulder complex: Focuses on the shoulder, scapula, clavicle, and surrounding muscles, tendons and ligaments. This helps restore range of motion, reduce pain and improve shoulder functionality.

This combined approach can improve shoulder mobility and support the overall healing of a frozen shoulder.

• A study published in Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics (2021) showed that chiropractic manipulations and mobilizations significantly improve range of motion and pain.
• Up to 90% of patients experience relief after 6 to 8 treatments.
• Chiropractic care often shortens the duration of the condition, allowing for faster recovery.

What can you expect from the treatment?

The chiropractor will perform a thorough analysis. A treatment plan is then drawn up. Treatment may include:

1. Spinal Corrections: Who are trained in advanced treatment methods and remain up-to-date with the latest scientific findings. Targets both the shoulder and upper spine to release blockages and optimize nerve signaling
2. Mobilization techniques: These techniques help loosen the joint capsule and muscles and restore movement.
3. Exercises and advice: The chiropractor will teach you targeted exercises to keep progressing at home. You will also get tips on posture and movement to prevent overexertion.

Why is chiropractic care the best choice?

Chiropractic offers natural, non-invasive treatment that focuses on the cause of the complaint. Unlike medication, which provides only temporary pain relief, or injections, which can carry risks, chiropractic is geared toward lasting recovery. Moreover, chiropractic is proven effective without side effects.

Patient experiences

Many patients with frozen shoulder report increased range of motion and less pain after just a few sessions. A combined approach of chiropractic care and home exercises can significantly reduce recovery time.

Call for an appointment to see what chiropractic care can do for you or come to one of our free information nights and take the first step toward a pain-free shoulder!