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What is Frozen Shoulder?

Frozen shoulder results from the gradual loss of movement in the shoulder (glenohumeral) joint. The shoulder joint consists of a ball (the humeral head) and socket (the glenoid). Normally it is one of the most mobile joints in the body. However, when the shoulder becomes frozen, the joint has become stuck and its movement is limited.

What Causes Frozen Shoulder?

It is not known exactly what causes this condition. Immobilization of the shoulder (after an arm injury), inflammation of the muscles and/or tendons, as with rotator cuff tendinitis or bursitis, and cumulative trauma disorders can cause the shoulder joint to become frozen. Frozen shoulder can also be caused by diabetes, thyroid problems, and heart or lung conditions due to an autoimmune reaction in which the body’s defense system (which normally protects the body from infection) mistakenly begins to attack parts of the body.

Although many shoulder diseases involve pain and loss of motion, frozen shoulder is most often caused by inflammation (swelling, pain, and irritation) of the tissues surrounding the joint. The tissue that envelops the joint and holds it together is called the capsule. Normally the capsule has folds that can expand and contract as the arm moves into various positions. In a frozen shoulder, the capsule has become inflamed and scarring or adhesions develops. As the capsule’s folds become scarred and tightened, shoulder movement becomes restricted and moving the joint becomes painful. This condition is called adhesive (scarrng) capsulitis (inflammation of the capsule).

How is Frozen Shoulder Treated?

Active Release Technique® (ART®) has been shown to be very effective in the treatment of Frozen Shoulder. Rather than just addressing just one area, ART® restores unimpeded motion and function to all soft tissues in the shoulder’s kinetic chain including the muscles, tendons, fascia, nerves, and the surrounding soft tissues. Chiropractic adjustments restore unimpeded motion and function to the Acromioclavicular (AC) Joint, Sternoclavicular (SC) Joint, Glenohumeral (GH) Joint, and Scapulothoracic (ST) Joint.

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