Frozen Shoulder

What Is Frozen Shoulder?

Frozen shoulder, also known as adhesive capsulitis, is a condition that causes pain, stiffness, and a progressive loss of shoulder mobility. It develops when the connective tissue surrounding the shoulder joint becomes inflamed and thickened, making movement increasingly difficult over time.

Unlike many other shoulder conditions, frozen shoulder often develops gradually and typically progresses through three stages: the freezing stage, where pain begins and movement becomes limited; the frozen stage, where stiffness becomes more noticeable although pain may lessen; and the thawing stage, where shoulder motion slowly begins to improve.

Frozen shoulder can significantly affect daily activities such as reaching overhead, fastening a seatbelt, getting dressed, brushing your hair, or sleeping comfortably.

Recovery can take severalmonths or even years without appropriate management.

Because frozen shoulder shares symptoms with other shoulder conditions, Dr. Charles Boley performs a comprehensive evaluation to determine the cause of your shoulder pain and recommend the most appropriate conservative treatment options.

Common Symptoms

Patients with frozen shoulder often experience:

 Gradual onset of shoulder pain.

 Progressive loss of shoulder mobility.

 Difficulty reaching overhead.

 Pain when reaching behind the back.

 Shoulder stiffness throughout the day.

 Difficulty dressing or grooming.

 Pain while sleeping on the affected side.

 Limited range of motion in multiple directions.

 Difficulty performing everyday activities.

Symptoms often develop slowly and worsen over time before gradually improving.

What Causes Frozen Shoulder?

Several factors may increase the risk of developing frozen shoulder, including:

 Previous shoulder injuries.

 Shoulder surgery.

 Prolonged shoulder immobilization.

 Diabetes.

 Thyroid disorders.

 Rotator cuff injuries.

 Age-related changes.

 Chronic inflammation.

 Previous fractures.

 Other underlying medical conditions.

In many cases, the exact cause is unknown, making an individualized evaluation especially important.

How StemWave Therapy May Help

StemWave Therapy is a non-invasive treatment that uses acoustic wave technology to stimulate the body's natural healing response. Depending on the individual's condition and stage of frozen shoulder, this therapy may help improve circulation, reduce inflammation, encourage tissue healing, and relieve pain associated with certain musculoskeletal conditions.

For patients experiencing frozen shoulder, StemWave may be incorporated into a comprehensive treatment plan alongside chiropractic care, rehabilitation exercises, stretching programs, and other conservative therapies designed to improve comfort and restore movement.

Because frozen shoulder progresses through different stages, Dr. Charles Boley performs a complete evaluation to determine whether StemWave Therapy may be appropriate based on your symptoms, shoulder mobility, and overall condition.