Frozen shoulder, also known as adhesive capsulitis, often begins subtly: a little stiffness here, a twinge of pain there. Over time, it becomes increasingly difficult to lift your arm, reach behind you, or carry items, particularly when your arm is extended away from your body.
When Shoulder Pain Becomes Immobilizing
While some people experience only mild pain with certain motions, others reach a point where even basic tasks, such as brushing their hair or lifting an arm, become nearly impossible. Dr. Marie often sees patients at different phases of the condition, from manageable stiffness to sharp, acute pain that limits daily function.
Often, patients come to us after visiting their medical doctor, who may have sent them for X-rays that come back with no clear answers. They’re told that it’s “frozen shoulder” and that it will eventually resolve on its own, but that it could take months—or even years! In the meantime, you’re struggling with discomfort, disrupted sleep, and difficulty with everyday tasks. It can feel discouraging when you’re not given a clear path forward.
Why One Approach Might Not Be Enough
Without restoring joint function and correcting faulty movement patterns, soft tissue treatments like dry needling or shockwave therapy can fall short. That’s where chiropractic care, focused on the neuromusculoskeletal system, can make a lasting difference. But for many, the missing piece is combining both approaches: mobility work and strategies that support long-term function. When both approaches work together, it often leads to faster, more sustainable results.
Looking Beyond Just the Shoulder
What sets chiropractic care apart from conventional medical approaches is its view of the shoulder not as a stand-alone joint, but as part of a larger picture. “My approach is to look more at the shoulder and the person as a unit… how people have been using a smaller muscle to do bigger mobility,” says Dr. Marie. She emphasizes evaluating shoulder blade positioning, spine mobility, and the body’s overall ability to adapt under strain.
Hands-on care, combined with strategic mobility work, often leads to faster progress than focusing solely on soft tissue or isolated muscles.
Support at Home: Gentle Movement Over Aggressive Stretching
At-home care is also crucial, but Dr. Marie cautions against pushing too hard—or too little. “I often send patients home with exercises more related to releasing—not necessarily stretching or strengthening,” she says. “You have muscles and tendons that are super tense and they need to be released… before you can even focus on strengthening.”
The key is to maintain safe, tolerable movement without babying the shoulder too much. To prevent long-term stiffness, it’s essential to keep the shoulder mobile.
Get Moving Again—We Can Help
Don’t let frozen shoulder limit your life. Dr. Marie can help you move freely again—book your first visit with her at Optimum Family Chiropractic today.
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