Aligned Integrated Health
Frozen Shoulder: Symptoms, Causes and Care in Scottsdale
When Your Shoulder Stops Moving the Way It Should
Frozen shoulder, also called adhesive capsulitis, is a condition where the capsule around the shoulder joint thickens and tightens, so the shoulder becomes painful and steadily harder to move. It tends to develop slowly, and people often notice it first when they cannot reach behind their back or overhead. At Aligned Integrated Health, frozen shoulder is one of the conditions we see as part of shoulder pain treatment in Scottsdale.
This page explains what frozen shoulder is, the symptoms to watch for, what makes it more likely, and how chiropractic care can fit alongside your other care.
- Clear explanations of what is happening in your shoulder
- Gentle care for the neck and upper back that compensate for a stiff shoulder
- Coordination with your medical doctor when that is the right call
Understanding a Stiff, Painful Shoulder
Frozen shoulder can feel frustrating because it seems to come from nowhere. Many patients tell us they did not injure the shoulder at all. Knowing the pattern helps you make sense of it and plan your care.
Key Features:
- Freezing Stage: Pain increases and the shoulder slowly loses motion. Night pain is common.
- Frozen Stage: Pain may settle, but stiffness stays and everyday reaching is limited.
- Thawing Stage: Motion gradually returns. How long each stage lasts varies a great deal from person to person.
Frozen Shoulder Symptoms and Causes
Here is what frozen shoulder usually looks like, and what makes it more likely to develop.
Frozen Shoulder Symptoms
The hallmark of frozen shoulder is a loss of motion in every direction, not just one. Common frozen shoulder symptoms include a dull, deep ache in the outer shoulder, pain that is worse at night or when lying on that side, and trouble with everyday tasks like fastening a seatbelt, reaching a back pocket or brushing your hair. This differs from many other shoulder problems, where the arm is painful but can still be moved by someone else.
What Causes Frozen Shoulder?
The exact cause is not fully understood. It is more common between about 40 and 60, in women, and in people with diabetes or thyroid conditions. It can also follow a period when the arm was not moved much, such as after surgery, a fracture or an illness. Adhesive capsulitis is the medical name for the inflammation and tightening of the joint capsule that drives the stiffness.
Frozen Shoulder Treatment Options
Frozen shoulder treatment usually centers on keeping the shoulder moving within what it tolerates, managing pain, and patience while the condition runs its course. Your medical doctor may discuss options such as medication or injections. Chiropractic care does not replace that care. It can support it by keeping the neck, upper back and shoulder blade moving well, since these areas often tighten up as you protect a stiff shoulder.
How a Frozen Shoulder Chiropractor Can Help
At our Scottsdale clinic, Dr. Dan starts with a full exam to confirm the pattern and rule out other causes of shoulder pain, like shoulder impingement. Care may include gentle Pro Adjuster adjustments to the neck and upper back, massage therapy for the muscles that guard the shoulder, and simple home exercises chosen for your stage. We never force a frozen shoulder past what it can comfortably do.
Everyday Tips While Your Shoulder Is Stiff
Small changes can make daily life easier while a frozen shoulder runs its course. Keep frequently used items at waist or chest height, dress the stiff arm first and undress it last, and use a pillow to support the arm when you sleep on your back. Gentle movement within comfort, such as letting the arm swing like a pendulum, is usually better than holding the shoulder still all day. If a movement causes sharp pain, ease off rather than pushing through it.
When to See a Doctor Right Away
Seek medical care promptly if shoulder pain comes with chest pressure, shortness of breath or left arm pain, if the shoulder is hot, red and swollen with a fever, or if you cannot move the arm after a fall. These are not frozen shoulder patterns and need a different kind of care first.
Related Conditions We Treat in Scottsdale
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a chiropractor help a frozen shoulder?
A chiropractor cannot unfreeze the joint capsule, but chiropractic care can support your recovery by keeping the neck, upper back and shoulder blade moving well and easing the strain from compensating. Dr. Dan will explain what to expect for your situation.
Should I massage a frozen shoulder?
Gentle massage of the surrounding muscles can feel good and help with tension. It should never be forceful or push the joint into sharp pain.
What makes a frozen shoulder worse?
Forcing the shoulder into painful positions, stopping movement altogether, and sleeping on the affected side can all aggravate it. Gentle, regular movement within comfort is usually better than either extreme.
Is frozen shoulder the same as a rotator cuff problem?
No. Frozen shoulder limits motion in every direction because the joint capsule tightens. Rotator cuff problems usually hurt in certain movements while the shoulder can still be moved. An exam helps tell them apart.
Get Your Shoulder Checked in Scottsdale, AZ
Aligned Integrated Health is at 10752 North 89th Place, Suite C130 in Scottsdale. Dr. Daniel J. Gerwig, D.C. has been practicing since 2001 and sees patients here himself. Most insurances are accepted and walk-ins are welcome.
New Patient Special. Includes the consultation, exam, report of findings and X-rays. See the current offer. Not valid for use with federally sponsored programs, such as Medicare and Medicaid.