Can’t lift your arm? Struggling with everyday tasks like getting dressed or reaching the top shelf?

If shoulder pain is keeping you from doing the things you love—or just getting through the day—you might be dealing with a condition called frozen shoulder. And if you’ve been told to just rest it, stretch it, or wait it out… you’re probably still frustrated and in pain.

In this article, we’ll explain what frozen shoulder really is, why traditional treatments don’t always work, and how chiropractic care is offering real results for people seeking pain relief in Ann Arbor. 

What Is Frozen Shoulder, Really?

Frozen shoulder (officially known as adhesive capsulitis) happens when the capsule around your shoulder joint becomes inflamed and stiff. Over time, this causes your shoulder to lose mobility—often completely.

Common signs of frozen shoulder:

• You can’t raise your arm or move it without pain
• Sleeping on your side is uncomfortable (or impossible)
• You feel stuck, locked, or like something is “off”
• Even basic movements cause sharp pain—or bring you to tears

This condition doesn’t usually come out of nowhere. Often, it’s tied to past injuries, poor posture, or even old damage that was never fully healed. Sometimes, it starts after shoulder surgery or extended immobility.

What Most People Are Told

If you’ve sought help already, you may have heard:

• “Just stretch it and give it time”
• “Try some physical therapy”
• “Here’s an injection, we’ll see if it helps”
• “If it doesn’t improve, we can talk surgery”

And while those things might help some people, for many, they only provide temporary relief—or don’t work at all.

Here’s Where Chiropractic Care Comes In

At our Ann Arbor office, we take a different approach—one that’s all about getting to the root of the problem and restoring proper movement.

Here’s what that looks like:

1. Full-Body Evaluation

Frozen shoulder isn’t just a shoulder problem. It often involves your spine, rib cage, shoulder blade, and even your nervous system. Our chiropractor looks at how all these systems are working together.

2. Gentle, Targeted Adjustments

We use chiropractic adjustments to improve alignment and motion—not just in your shoulder, but in related areas that support it. These adjustments help reset how your muscles and nerves are communicating.

3. Custom Shoulder Protocol

Every frozen shoulder case is different. That’s why we create a personalized plan based on:

• What muscles are affected
• How much joint damage there is
• Whether there’s arthritis or past injury

This plan often includes muscle reactivation, soft tissue work, anti-inflammatory support, and home exercises.

4. Restore Motion Early

Scar tissue can start forming in as little as 2–3 weeks of limited movement. We focus on restoring motion quickly to prevent long-term damage and help your body heal the right way.

Ready to Move Again? Start Your Pain Relief Journey in Ann Arbor

If you’ve been living with shoulder pain and limited movement, don’t wait. Frozen shoulder doesn’t just go away on its own—and the longer it lasts, the harder it is to treat.

Let’s help you move better, feel better, and get your life back.

Contact us today at 734-929-4060 to schedule your first visit or learn more about our frozen shoulder recovery approach.
Because when your shoulder moves better, so do you.