Frozen shoulder can be a long process to heal.  The shoulder joint is a very complex joint with muscles attached in the front, sides, back.  The shoulder works along with the clavicle and shoulder blade as well as the neck joints. 

What are the causes of frozen shoulder?

Bones, ligaments and tendons around your shoulder joint are encased in a capsule of connective tissue. Frozen shoulder occurs when this capsule swells and thickens tightening the shoulder joint, restricting its movement and causes pain. Frozen shoulder is often initially ignored when symptoms first occur because the pain subsides within a few days so people think it is just a short term problem.  It will come back and when it does it is more painful and lasts longer.  Scar tissue and inflammation re-occur and continue to restrict the shoulder from moving properly. This problem takes a long time to see full results but it can be alleviated. 

Frozen shoulder has three stages:

• Stage one: 

  The "freezing" or painful stage:
  
  This may last from six weeks to nine months, and in which the patient has a slow onset of pain. As the pain worsens, the shoulder loses motion.

• Stage two: 

  The "frozen" or adhesive stage:
  
  This is marked by a slow improvement in pain but the stiffness remains. This stage generally lasts four months to nine months.

• Stage three: 

  
  The "thawing" or recovery:
  
  When shoulder motion slowly returns toward normal. This generally lasts five months to 26 months.

What are the Risk Factors for Frozen Shoulder: 

1. Age: People 40 or older are at risk
2. Repetitive jobs especially jobs which require raising the arms over the head
3. Injuries to the shoulder which causes improper movement of the shoulder adding to the inflammation.

Treatment: Inflammation must be decreased before exercises can really be beneficial.   Scar tissue must be broken and new healthy tissue must take its place.  

Chiropractic adjustments to the spine and shoulder, Graston Technique (SASTM) can decrease scar tissue and increase mobility.  Amino Neuro Frequency Therapy can also help with healing the help increase movement. Contact our San Francisco, CA or San Carlos, CA office today to start your treatments and get your shoulder feeling better and moving better.