Frozen Shoulder Treatment aka Adhesive Capsulitis Oakland CA

Having trouble raising your arm out to your side above shoulder level?  Has fastening clothing behind your back become nearly impossible?  Whether or not you have achy/dull pain with these movements, you may have a condition called frozen shoulder.  It most commonly affects women in their 40’s, 50’s, and 60’s, and is most often experienced in the non-dominant side.  Frozen shoulder treatment requires an accurate diagnosis. It generally develops in three stages:

Freezing: pain gradually increases, range of motion decreases, duration 6 weeks -9 months.

Frozen: not much pain, but motion severely limited, duration 4 months -6 months.

Thawing: pain diminishes, motion is restored, duration 6 months – 2 years.

The cause of frozen shoulder is often unknown, but some predisposing factors include diabetes, autoimmune or inflammatory diseases, or immobilization.  (Even wearing a shoulder sling for several weeks following a hand or wrist surgery to keep that area elevated can cause problems in the shoulder due to lack of movement).

If you’ve been to your primary care provider, they probably prescribed rest, ibuprofen, and physical therapy (PT) to strengthen and stretch your shoulder.  You may have even discussed surgery if your condition has been ongoing.

The purpose of this article is to inform you of non-surgical treatment options for frozen shoulder.

While PT is generally helpful for getting stronger and more flexible, frozen shoulder doesn’t stem from weak or inflexible shoulder muscles.  Another name for frozen shoulder is adhesive capsulitis, which is a fancy way of saying adhesions in the capsule of the shoulder.  To further break this down, the shoulder capsule is a wrap of strong connective tissue that surrounds the bones (humerus, scapula, and clavicle) that make up the ball & socket joint of the shoulder.  Adhesions (developed due to repetitive motion, lack of oxygen, or trauma) are sticky areas in muscle fibers or in the capsule itself, which limit movement, alter your biomechanics, and cause pain and dysfunction.

Strengthening a muscle does not reduce adhesion!

Stretching a muscle does not reduce adhesion!

The only way to reduce adhesion is to physically manipulate the tissues by hand or with instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization (IASTM).  Traditional treatments for frozen shoulder are Manipulation Under Anesthesia (in which the shoulder is forced to move and adhesions are broken), and shoulder arthroscopy (in which pencil-sized instruments cut through tight portions of the joint capsule to address adhesions).

Effective frozen shoulder treatment (non-surgical):

Dr. Sandy Baird utilizes Active Release Techniques (ART) protocols to reduce adhesions in the shoulder capsule.  ART is a widely used soft tissue treatment, and consists of several specific protocols for treating adhesive capsulitis.  The treatment is gentle and precise, using hands-on manipulation of the soft tissue of the shoulder to address adhesions.  A treatment for frozen shoulder will typically also require addressing adhesion in several surrounding arm and shoulder muscles, which can be performed during the same session.

Since the shoulder fails to move properly due to those deep capsule adhesions, the deltoids and some of the rotator cuff muscles spasm to try to protect the shoulder.  When a muscle goes into continuous spasm, it stops receiving adequate blood flow, and the resulting hypoxia (lack of blood flow) causes adhesions to develop.

Without treatment, frozen shoulder may spontaneously resolve within one to two years.  With ART treatment, most patients start to regain some shoulder motion within several visits.  Frozen shoulder is one of the most difficult pathologies to treat, so patience throughout the course of the treatment plan is of the essence.

Once shoulder motion is restored and capsule adhesion is reduced, your chiropractor may introduce specific rehabilitation exercises in order to maintain your new range of motion.

Frozen shoulder is one unique type of shoulder dysfunction, we also offer shoulder pain treatment in Oakland for rotator cuff issues, shoulder impingement, and more.

Common frozen shoulder symptoms

• A deep, dull ache in the shoulder, often worse at night and when lying on that side
• Difficulty reaching overhead, out to the side, or behind your back (fastening a bra, tucking in a shirt, reaching a back pocket)
• Trouble combing your hair, putting on a jacket, or reaching for a seat belt
• Stiffness that gets worse over weeks to months, even when you try to move the arm with your other hand
• Pain that settles but leaves the shoulder very stiff

Who gets frozen shoulder?

Frozen shoulder can affect anyone, but it’s more common in:
• People between 40 and 60, particularly women
• People with diabetes or thyroid conditions
• People who’ve had a period of limited arm use, after surgery, a fracture, or an injury, including chest or breast surgery or a sling 
• People with autoimmune or inflammatory conditions
• People who’ve had frozen shoulder in the other shoulder

Often there’s no clear cause. If your pain looks more like general shoulder aching with preserved motion, see our shoulder pain page. If the problem seems to start in the neck, see neck pain.

Is it frozen shoulder or something else?

The key sign of frozen shoulder is that your shoulder is stiff even when someone else moves it for you. If you can’t lift your arm yourself but someone else can lift it easily, the problem is more likely weakness, such as a rotator cuff tear.

What else may be part of your plan

ART is often the foundation, but your plan may also include:

• Graston Technique for stubborn tight tissue around the shoulder blade and upper arm
• Manual therapy and gentle joint mobilization for the shoulder, upper back, and neck
• Rehab exercises matched to your stage: gentle motion early, more range of motion as it loosens, and strengthening in the thawing stage
• Kinesio taping to support the shoulder during daily activity 
• Myofascial decompression cupping for tight upper back and shoulder muscles 
• A home program and activity guidance, so progress continues between visits

What to expect

Frozen shoulder is slow, and your stage matters. In the painful “freezing” stage, we focus on calming the shoulder and keeping gentle motion, and we avoid forcing it. In the “frozen” stage, the focus shifts to restoring range of motion. In the “thawing” stage, strengthening helps you regain full function. As you note above, patience is important. We’ll give you a realistic estimate after your exam, and we’ll let you know if it seems another option, such as an injection, would help. 

What you can do at home

• Keep moving within comfort. Gentle, regular motion usually helps more than keeping the arm still, but don’t force through sharp pain.
• Use heat before gentle exercises, such as a warm shower, if it loosens the shoulder.
• Try simple range-of-motion exercises, such as pendulum swings and sliding your hand along a table. We’ll show you what’s right for your stage.
• Avoid aggressive stretching when the shoulder is irritable, since it can make pain and stiffness worse.
• Support your sleep. Lie on the other side with a pillow hugging the sore arm, or sleep on your back with a pillow under the arm.
• Keep using the arm for light daily tasks.
• If you have diabetes, keep up with your doctor on blood sugar, since it can affect recovery.

When to get medical care first

Call 911 or go to an emergency room right away if your shoulder or arm pain comes with chest pressure or pain, shortness of breath, sweating, nausea, or jaw pain. Get urgent care if you think you’ve dislocated your shoulder, have a visible deformity after a fall, or have fever with a hot, swollen, red joint. Get prompt medical care for shoulder pain that comes with unexplained weight loss, a history of cancer, or constant severe pain at night, or for numbness, weakness, or spreading tingling in the arm. These aren’t typical of frozen shoulder and need different care first.

Why Oakland patients choose Riverstone

• Local and easy to reach. We’re at 3409 Grand Ave #5 in the Grand Lake neighborhood, near Lake Merritt. Patients also come from Adams Point, Rockridge, Temescal, Piedmont, and Montclair. 
• Hands-on, specific care. Dr. Sandy Baird, DC uses a stage-based approach and looks at the shoulder, neck, and upper back together.
• Experience with stiff, stubborn shoulders. 
• Free consultation so you can ask questions first.

Frozen shoulder FAQs

How long does frozen shoulder last?

It often takes one to two years to resolve on its own, moving through the freezing, frozen, and thawing stages. Treatment aims to ease pain and improve motion along the way, but it’s usually a slow process.

Can frozen shoulder be treated without surgery?

Most cases are managed without surgery, with a mix of exercise, hands-on care, and sometimes injections. Surgery is generally considered only when other care hasn’t helped after several months.

Should I stretch a frozen shoulder?

Gentle, regular movement helps most people, but forcing a painful, irritable shoulder can make it worse. The right approach depends on your stage, and we’ll show you what’s appropriate.

What’s the difference between frozen shoulder and a rotator cuff tear?

In frozen shoulder, the shoulder is stiff even when someone else moves it. In a rotator cuff tear, the arm is usually weak but moves freely when helped. An exam can tell them apart.

Does diabetes make frozen shoulder more likely?

Yes. People with diabetes are more likely to get frozen shoulder, and it can be more stubborn. Keep your doctor in the loop.

Can I get frozen shoulder in both shoulders?

It can happen, usually at different times. Having it in one shoulder raises the chance of it appearing in the other later.

Do I need an X-ray or MRI?

Not always. Frozen shoulder is usually diagnosed from your history and exam.

Do I need a referral?

No. You can book directly. Insurance coverage varies by plan, and we can provide detailed receipts for reimbursement. 

If you are experiencing symptoms of frozen shoulder and would like to schedule a free consultation with an Oakland chiropractor, please call Riverstone Chiropractic at (510) 465-2342 or book your free consultation below.