Frozen Shoulder sounds like the name of a rock band, but it’s actually the common name for a condition known by doctors as “adhesive capsulitis.” How do you know if you have frozen shoulder? Well, it’s something that takes time to develop, starting out as stiffness and pain in your shoulder joint. Over time it tends to worsen and then get better, and may take one to three years to do so. Those who’ve suffered from a stroke and/or mastectomy (or other medical conditions preventing you from moving your arm) are more likely to get frozen shoulder.

To deal with frozen shoulder, some people choose to have a doctor inject them with corticosteroids/numbing meds. Others do that as well as special range-of-motion exercises. Then, of course, people who want to heal naturally without getting shots often visit a chiropractor, who helps them with their exercises and makes chiropractic adjustments as needed to alleviate pain.

FYI: there are generally three stages to frozen shoulder. The first is the freezing stage where you experience pain anytime you move your shoulder. In a month or two it becomes harder to move your shoulder in the normal range-of-motion you’ve been used to over the years. Next, there’s the frozen stage. While the pain lessens, the shoulder stiffens. Using it becomes harder to do. Finally, there’s the thawing stage, whereas you get back the range-of-motion you had lost for several months.

A chiropractor deals with bones, ligament and tendons that make up your shoulder joint. Furthermore, he or she knows about the connective tissue in your shoulder. When this connective tissue tightens and thickens around the shoulder joint, you’re not able to move like you want to; therefore, the chiropractor makes adjustments as needed to not only mitigate pain but also help improve your range-of-motion in this area over time.

In general, frozen shoulder occurs more often in older women (over the age of 40) as well as those with prolonged immobility due to things like a broken arm or a rotator cuff injury. People with certain diseases, including diabetes, Parkinson’s, and hyper/hypo-thyroidism are also more likely to get frozen shoulder.

If you have– or think you have– frozen shoulder, visit New City Chiropractic Center in order to feel better and increase your shoulder’s range-of-motion over time. For an appointment, call 845-634-8877.