Frozen Shoulder

Frozen shoulder syndrome, or adhesive capsulitis, is a painful and often debilitating condition. Despite its name, it has nothing to do with temperature — it refers to the stiffness, inflammation, and limited movement of the shoulder joint that can affect daily activities.

Types and Risk Factors

There are two main types of frozen shoulder:

• Primary: develops without a clear cause
• Secondary: follows trauma, surgery (including shoulder operations or breast reconstruction), or prolonged immobility

Certain factors increase the likelihood of developing a frozen shoulder:

• Diabetes or Dupuytren’s contracture
• Age 40–70 years, more commonly in women (60:40 ratio)
• Possible hormonal, postural, autoimmune, or genetic influences

Without intervention, frozen shoulder can last for months or even years, but early and targeted treatment can significantly reduce recovery time.

Why the Shoulder Becomes Frozen

The shoulder joint is surrounded by a flexible capsule. In frozen shoulder, this capsule becomes inflamed and sticky, forming adhesions that reduce elasticity.

• The inflammation can spread to surrounding tissues, including bursae and muscles
• Overreaction of the nervous system can cause muscles to “switch off,” becoming weak and stiff
• Rotator cuff muscles may gradually waste, limiting the ability to lift or move the arm

These changes often lead to pain, restricted motion, and difficulty performing everyday tasks.

Chiropractic Care for Frozen Shoulder

Chiropractic treatment focuses on reducing inflammation, restoring joint mobility, and retraining muscles and nerves.

At Align Chiropractic & Physiotherapy, we use:

• Gentle joint mobilisation and spinal adjustments to restore motion
• Soft tissue therapy to relax tight muscles and relieve pain
• Neuromuscular re-education to improve coordination and muscle function
• Guidance on posture and movement to prevent further restriction

Chiropractic care treats the root cause of stiffness and pain, rather than simply masking symptoms.

Physiotherapy for Frozen Shoulder

Physiotherapy is an essential component of recovery, particularly for regaining strength, flexibility, and functional use of the shoulder.

Treatment may include:

• Targeted stretching and mobility exercises to increase range of motion
• Strengthening routines for rotator cuff and shoulder stabilisers
• Manual therapy to release tension in muscles and soft tissues
• Functional training to support everyday activities and prevent recurrence

Combining chiropractic care with physiotherapy accelerates recovery and helps patients regain independence and confidence in movement.