HealthyShoulders.com

Adhesive Capsulitis / Frozen Shoulder

What Is Adhesive Capsulitis / Frozen Shoulder?

Adhesive capsulitis is marked by unusually severe amounts of shoulder inflammation followed by MASSIVE amounts of adhesion settling INSIDE and around the joint capsule. The condition is usually started by trauma (even very mild trauma) or secondary to some other disease process. In the first phase of adhesive capsulitis, severe pain and inflammation take place and may last for a month or so. During this phase, frequently icing down the shoulder and plenty of anti-inflammatory medications are very important.

Following the inflammatory phase is the adhesive phase. During this phase large amounts of adhesion settle within the joint capsule, leading to severe loss of joint motion (Frozen Shoulder). It is during this phase that ART should be implemented RIGHT AWAY!

What's Going Wrong In Adhesive Capsulitis / Frozen Shoulder?

1.	Adhesion. The "frozen shoulder process" is usually started by an injury to the shoulder. The type of injury can vary but is usually some type of overuse activity of the shoulder creating a large amount of inflammation. Most people DO NOT develop adhesive capsulitis and frozen shoulder at this point. However, some do. In these cases, the amount of damage previously incurred (including adhesions) to the shoulder could play a role in the severity of the capsulitis and frozen shoulder.

2.	Strength and Flexibility Imbalances. Weak muscles in the shoulder will allow it to become inflamed much easier than a strong one. This is important because most people who develop capsulitis / frozen shoulder were just getting work done around the house or went out and played softball for the first time in 5 years and felt some shoulder pain the next day from the overuse activities. The problem is the shoulder does not heal fast and the inflammatory process gets worse. The stronger your shoulders are the less they will get damaged with menial tasks and regular sporting activities. This is one of the more severe cases of "Weekend Warrior Syndrome".

3.	Structural Damage or Alteration. Damage to the capsule / joint will usually just cause lots of pain and set you up for arthritis. However, if the damage is associated with large amounts of inflammation, this damage can lead to capsulitis and frozen shoulder.

How Can ART Help Adhesive Capsulitis / Frozen Shoulder?

The Frozen Shoulder process is due almost fully to massive amounts of inflammation and adhesion. The obvious first step is to control inflammation as much as possible with ice and anti-inflammatories. Following the inflammatory phase is where the large amounts of adhesion begins to set in. It is crucial to get ART performed on the area as soon as possible. The longer someone goes into this phase without treatment, the longer it will take to get back the normal ranges of motion.

Success Stories Of Those With Adhesive Capsulitis / Frozen Shoulder

Mike Leis - Martial Artist

Main Sections

Adhesive Capsulitis / Frozen Shoulder

What Is Adhesive Capsulitis / Frozen Shoulder?

What's Going Wrong In Adhesive Capsulitis / Frozen Shoulder?

How Can ART Help Adhesive Capsulitis / Frozen Shoulder?

Success Stories Of Those With Adhesive Capsulitis / Frozen Shoulder