Adhesive capsulitis, often referred to as "frozen shoulder", is a condition that causes stiffness, pain, and a gradual loss of mobility in the shoulder joint. It occurs when the connective tissue surrounding the shoulder joint thickens and tightens, restricting movement. Frozen shoulder typically develops in stages and can take months or even years to resolve without proper treatment. This condition is more common in individuals over 40, particularly those recovering from an injury, surgery, or a period of immobility.
Frozen shoulder symptoms typically progress through three stages:
1. Freezing Stage
- Gradual onset of shoulder pain that worsens over time.
- Increasing stiffness, making movement more difficult.
- Pain intensifies at night or with certain movements.
2. Frozen Stage
- Shoulder pain may decrease, but stiffness remains severe.
- Significant loss of range of motion, making daily activities challenging.
3. Thawing Stage
- Slow improvement in mobility.
- Pain gradually subsides, but stiffness may linger for some time.


Frozen shoulder develops when the connective tissue around the shoulder joint becomes inflamed and tightens, but several factors may contribute to this condition, including:
- Prolonged Immobilization: Injury, surgery, or conditions that limit shoulder movement (e.g., post-fracture recovery).
- Inflammation: Chronic inflammatory conditions like arthritis or bursitis can trigger frozen shoulder.
- Diabetes: Individuals with diabetes have a higher risk of developing frozen shoulder.
- Hormonal Changes: More common in women, especially those experiencing menopause.
- Autoimmune Disorders: Conditions that cause the immune system to attack joint tissues can contribute to stiffness and inflammation.
At Shaker Spine & Sport Institute, located in Tampa, FL, we understand the debilitating impact frozen shoulder can have on your daily life. That’s why we’re dedicated to providing effective, non-invasive treatment options to help you find relief and regain control of your well-being. Visit our Chiropractic Physicians and they will be able to do a thorough examination and help you develop a treatment plan.
We offer a variety of different treatments to treat frozen shoulder, such as:
Chiropractic Adjustment: This is a common treatment for reducing inflammation. The chiropractor will use their hands to manipulate the spine and help reduce the inflammation in the plantar fascia.
Soft Wave Tissue Regeneration Therapy: Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Ice/Heat Therapy: Ice or heat therapy can also be used to help reduce the inflammation in the Plantar Fasciitis.
Custom Orthotics: Personalized shoe inserts to provide proper support and alignment.
With over 35 years of experience serving the South Tampa community, our expert team is dedicated to helping you live pain-free. Don't let your conditions limit your life - schedule your appointment today to start your recovery!