Frozen Shoulder and Treatment

Frozen shoulder, AKA adhesive capsulitis, is inflammation of the capsule in the shoulder joint and therefore causes pain and stiffness in the shoulder. The shoulder is a ball-and-socket joint with a capsule that surrounds the joint. Frozen shoulder causes the capsule to becomes inflamed and thickened which results in less synovial fluid (lubrication) and the formation of adhesions in the joint. Pain is present with active and passive range of motion. This means pain is produced when the patient moves the arm him/herself and when the arm is relaxed and moved for him/her by the doctor. The cause is not fully understood, and seems to have no connection with previous injury, arm dominance, or occupation. Certain risk factors can increase the chance of developing this condition. The most prevalent risk factor is diabetes while others include stroke, thyroid disease, cardiac disease, lung disease, RA, and other autoimmune conditions.

Frozen shoulder occurs in 3 stages:

1. Freezing (Painful) Phase: pain continues to get worse and worse with severe night pain.  As the pain worsens the shoulder losses range of motion. This typically lasts 6 weeks to 9 months but can be shortened with chiropractic treatments.
2. Frozen (Stiff) Phase: pain may actually improve, but range of motion is greatly diminished. Daily activities become increasingly difficult, if not impossible to perform.  Activities such as tucking in the back of one’s shirt, reaching for a high shelf, combing hair, or fastening a bra. This typically lasts 4-6 months but can be shortened with chiropractic treatment.
3. Thawing (Resolving) Phase: pain and range of motion slowly improve. This typically lasts 6 months to 2 years depending on the shoulder severity and the timing of chiropractic remedy.

Affects of Frozen Shoulder

Many women between the ages of 40-60 are affected by Frozen shoulder, which is estimated to be 2-5 percent of the population. It is referred to as “Fifties Shoulder” in Japan. Schedule an appointment with our chiropractic office in Metairie if you have the symptoms of Frozen Shoulder.

Frozen shoulder can take up to 30 months to fully resolve if left untreated. In most cases, treatment with the Niel-Asher Technique (NAT) will speed up recovery by about 10 times. NAT focuses on trigger point therapy to the long head of the biceps and in the muscles that make up the rotator cuff. Along with the trigger point therapy, adjustments to the upper cervical spine and mild physical therapy have been proven to speed up the process of this condition. NAT is a “hands-on” method that utilizes the body’s natural healing mechanisms.

Patients may call our office in Metairie to set up an appointment with Dr. LeBourgeois and he can treat your Frozen Shoulder with chiropractic remedies. Our office provides chiropractic services and a convenient location adjacent to East Jeff Hospital in Doctor’s Row.  Please feel free to call our office at (504) 372-4062 or send us a message from our contact page.