Are You Experiencing Frozen Shoulder, Stiff Shoulder Joints, or Pain?

There’s nothing fun about experiencing stiff or painful joints or muscles.  If you are living with a worsening tightness and pain in your shoulder, it could be adhesive capsulitis or “frozen shoulder”.  This condition gradually worsens to the point of almost complete immobility and then slowly resolves itself over the course of one to three years.

During the initial “freezing” phase (lasting from 2 to 9 months), the joint becomes more stiff and painful.  As the fluid in the joint becomes viscous and thick, the joint is almost completely immobile.  This is called the “frozen” phase and can last anywhere from 4 to 12 months.  Finally, the joint begins to “thaw” and movement returns (lasting between 6 and 9 months).  If left untreated, full range of motion may not completely return.

What Causes Frozen Shoulder?

While it’s not conclusive what actually causes this condition, it does seem to affect women more than men and usually strikes between the ages of 40 and 60.  It can be more prevalent in the population recovering from either acute injury or from strokes, heart attacks, and mastectomies, as well as chronic disease sufferers, like diabetics.

How is Frozen Shoulder Diagnosed?

Your healthcare professional can diagnosis and assess the pain and stiffness you are experiencing through both active and passive range of motion techniques.  They may also use x-rays, ultrasound or MRI technologies to rule out rotator cuff damage or severe arthritis.

How is a Frozen Shoulder Treated?

If you are in the Mill Creek, WA, area and are suffering from “frozen shoulder”, we at Amazing Life Chiropractic and Wellness will strive to assemble a holistic treatment plan that blends movement through chiropractic care with exercise, nutritional counseling, and pain relief techniques including:

• Gentle and mindful chiropractic adjustment that would introduce soft tissue stretching and strengthening
• Massage therapy used in conjunction adjustments to relax and loosen muscles before and after your chiropractic adjustment treatment
• Occupational and lifestyle modifications and a long-term exercise plan that will help with your recovery and position you to live the rest of your life from a place of health and vitality
• Nutrition guidance through our exclusive toxicity evaluation and development of a nutritional plan that includes lots of fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and key supplements

You live in a vibrant, active community with access to seemingly limitless opportunities to get out in nature and engage life at an activity level that best suits you and your lifestyle.  Let us help you return to your optimal physical health so that you can enjoy all that Mill Creek and the Snohomish area has to offer.

Please contact us today to schedule an evaluation and explore treatment options to unlock that frozen shoulder for good.  All of us at Amazing Life Chiropractic and Wellness wish you health and freedom of movement.