Frozen shoulder

Don’t Ignore That Shoulder Stiffness, Here’s Why Chiropractic Care Might Be the Answer

Let me share a story from one of my patients who struggled with a frozen shoulder."At first, I thought I had just slept wrong or overused my arm at the gym. I brushed it off—until one day, I couldn’t even lift my arm to put on a shirt. The stiffness turned into pain, and the pain started affecting my sleep, work, and even simple things like driving. I didn’t realize how much I used my shoulder until I couldn’t anymore."

Frozen shoulder—also known as adhesive capsulitis—is more common than many realize, especially among people over 40, and even more so in women. I see this condition regularly in my practice, and what’s alarming is how long people often wait before getting help.

What Is Frozen Shoulder, Really?

Frozen shoulder happens when the connective tissue around the shoulder joint thickens and tightens, restricting movement and causing pain. The process typically develops slowly, in stages:

• Freezing stage: Shoulder movement becomes painful, and range of motion begins to decrease.

• Frozen stage: Pain may ease, but stiffness worsens. Daily activities become difficult.

• Thawing stage: Gradual return of movement—but it can take months or even years.

It’s not just a shoulder problem—it affects sleep, posture, and quality of life. And without proper care, it can linger far longer than necessary.

Why It Happens

Frozen shoulder can be triggered by:

• Injury or surgery that leads to immobility

• Diabetes or thyroid conditions

• Poor posture or spinal misalignment

• Repetitive strain or long-term inflammation

Many people don’t realize that shoulder health is closely linked to spinal alignment. If your upper back or neck is out of alignment, it can place strain on your shoulder joint, aggravating or even contributing to frozen shoulder symptoms.

Chiropractic Care

Chiropractic treatment doesn’t just treat the pain—it helps restore function. Through spinal adjustments, soft tissue therapy, and targeted mobility exercises, we work to reduce inflammation, improve joint movement, and support healing from the inside out.

I’ve seen patients regain their range of motion faster and avoid invasive treatments simply by committing to consistent chiropractic care and guided rehab.

Don’t Wait—Stiffness Is a Warning

If you're feeling restricted movement in your shoulder or unexplained pain that’s limiting your activity—don’t wait. That stiffness could be the early stage of frozen shoulder, and early intervention is key to a faster, more complete recovery.

You only get one body. Let’s help it move the way it was designed to.

You don’t have to live with frozen shoulder. Whether you’ve had symptoms for a few weeks or a few months, there’s hope. Chiropractic care offers a safe, drug-free approach to restoring your range of motion and helping you get back to doing the things you love.