Frozen Shoulder Syndrome in New York, NY

Adhesive capsulitis (frozen shoulder syndrome) is characterized by pain and extreme stiffness in a shoulder joint. Certain pre-existing conditions may increase the risk from suffering frozen shoulder, such as having a mastectomy, stroke or other procedure/injury that inhibits your ability to move your shoulder. Frozen shoulder syndrome can affect one or both shoulders simultaneously but rarely recurs in shoulder joints that have already suffered adhesive capsulitis. 

To diagnose shoulder pain correctly, your Rockefeller chiropractor will perform a series of manipulations and tests to determine if your shoulder joint’s capsule (tendons and ligaments) is abnormally thick and tight.

Frozen Shoulder Syndrome and Systemic Diseases

Certain disease may increase your risk of suffering frozen shoulder pain and stiffness. These diseases include:

• Hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid)
• Hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid)
• Diabetes
• Cardiovascular disease
• Parkinson’s disease
• Tuberculosis

Doctors aren’t sure why these conditions raise the risk of frozen shoulder but many believe it involves a combination of reduced physical activity, inflammatory chemicals in the bloodstream and deterioration of bone health. If you suffer from one of these diseases and begin feeling shoulder pain, call your NYC chiropractor to schedule an appointment for an examination.

Symptoms of Frozen Shoulder Syndrome

Pain and stiffness develop slowly with frozen shoulder, evolving through three different stages lasting several months each. The “freezing” stage presents symptoms of pain and minor stiffness whenever you move your shoulder. During the “frozen” stage, many notice diminishing pain but increased stiffening of the affected shoulder. In rare cases, frozen shoulder syndrome may reach the final “thawing” stage, where range of motion improves but some pain remains.

Chiropractic Treatment of Frozen Shoulder

After evaluating the shoulder, back and neck for vertebral subluxation (misalignment of the cervical spine), your Midtown doctor may perform an adjustment to your spine to remove compression of nerves by misplaced vertebrae and restore normal nerve functioning to your shoulder.

Adjustments not only promote recovery from frozen shoulder syndrome but also enhance your overall health by eliminating inflammation throughout your central nervous system. Stretching exercises to strengthen shoulder ligaments and stimulate blood flow to injured tissues are also useful for accelerating healing of a frozen shoulder.

In a few cases, people with frozen shoulder may require corticosteroid injections or surgical removal of capsular adhesions. However, surgery is considered a last resort treatment option that only applies to patients who have not responded to chiropractic or other treatments.

Meet Our Chiropractor for Shoulder Treatment and Relief

If you are suffering from shoulder pain and stiffness that is worsening each day, please call our Upper East Side Balanced Health Medical center at (212) 755-1717 to schedule an appointment for diagnosis and treatment. In addition to serving Midtown residents, we also serve people living in the 10022, 10017, 10020, 10036 and 10019 zip code areas.