How we treat frozen shoulder
As a naprapath, I often see patients with pain and severely reduced mobility in the shoulder – a condition called frozen shoulder or adhesive capsulitis. It is an inflammatory process in the joint capsule that leads to the tissue thickening and tightening, which in turn limits movement and causes intense pain, especially at night. Many people think that there is not much that can be done, but at our clinic we have several proven and effective methods to help you return to a functioning shoulder – without having to wait months or years for spontaneous improvement.
One of the most important parts of the treatment is chiropractic or naprapath adjustments. By restoring function in the thoracic spine, shoulder blade and neck – areas that often become stiff and compensate for shoulder problems – we can reduce nerve pressure and improve the body’s coordination around the shoulder joint. The treatment aims not only to reduce pain, but also to reactivate the nervous system’s ability to communicate with muscles and tissue.
We also use neuromuscular massage as part of the treatment. Many people with frozen shoulder develop compensatory tension in muscles such as the trapezius, deltoid and subscapularis. Through deep muscle treatment, we can reduce this muscle tension and stimulate circulation in the area. This helps to break the inflammatory process, dissolve scar tissue and improve mobility gradually but effectively.
For some patients, we integrate dry needling as part of the treatment plan. It is an evidence-based technique where thin needles are inserted into trigger points in the muscles to release tension and increase blood flow locally. In cases of frozen shoulder, we have had very good results with needling in the rotator cuff muscles in particular, where deep tension often contributes to limited mobility.
Another important part is joint dynamics and mobilization techniques, where we work specifically with the range of motion in the shoulder joint – without provoking pain. The goal is to gradually increase mobility and restore the glide in the joint capsule. This technique is particularly effective in the so-called ”frozen phase”, where all spontaneous movement is severely limited but the body is still receptive to passive movement training.
Finally, we always work with rehabilitation exercises that are adapted to your particular stage in the frozen shoulder process. The exercises focus on control, strength and mobility, and are a crucial part of maintaining the results of the treatment. We guide you through each step, with exercises you can also do at home to enhance the effect of the treatment.
At our clinic, we look at the whole picture – nervous system, muscles, joints and your unique movement pattern. If you have problems with frozen shoulder, or suspect that you are developing it, there is help available. You don’t have to ”wait it out” – book an appointment with us and we will make a thorough assessment and put together a treatment plan tailored just for you.
