Frozen Shoulder Treatment in Brooklyn NY
Frozen shoulder, medically known as adhesive capsulitis, is a painful condition where the tissues surrounding the shoulder joint become thick and tight, limiting movement and causing stiffness. It often develops gradually and can take months to improve without intervention. Many patients experience significant discomfort when reaching overhead, behind the back, or lifting objects.
At Back in Motion, our Frozen Shoulder Treatment in Brooklyn NY focuses on reducing stiffness, restoring mobility, and preventing recurrence. Through personalized in-home care that blends manual therapy, guided exercises, and patient education, we help you return to a pain-free lifestyle.
Understanding Frozen Shoulder
Frozen shoulder affects the capsule surrounding the shoulder joint, which becomes inflamed and tight, leading to pain and restriction. The condition typically progresses through three phases: freezing, frozen, and thawing. During the freezing phase, pain increases, and movement becomes limited. In the frozen stage, pain may ease slightly, but stiffness remains. The thawing phase marks a gradual return of motion.
According to the Mayo Clinic, frozen shoulder commonly develops after a period of immobility following an injury, surgery, or illness that limits arm use (Mayo Clinic, 2023). Conditions such as diabetes, thyroid disorders, and cardiovascular disease can also increase risk.
In Brooklyn NY, many cases arise from lifestyle and work-related factors. People who work long hours at desks, recover from surgeries, or engage in repetitive shoulder movements are particularly susceptible. Without early treatment, frozen shoulder can lead to long-term pain and functional limitations, affecting work, family, and recreation.
Symptoms of Frozen Shoulder
Symptoms often develop slowly and can last months or years if untreated. Recognizing these signs early helps prevent long-term complications.
Common symptoms include:
Gradual onset of shoulder stiffness and pain
Limited ability to lift the arm or reach behind the back
Pain that worsens at night, disrupting sleep
Difficulty performing tasks like dressing or reaching overhead
Weakness and tenderness around the shoulder joint
Most patients describe a deep, aching pain that intensifies during movement. Over time, stiffness limits even simple motions like combing hair or tucking in a shirt. If these symptoms sound familiar, it is best to seek Frozen Shoulder Treatment in Brooklyn NY as soon as possible to begin the healing process.
How Frozen Shoulder Affects Daily Life in Brooklyn NY
Frozen shoulder can make daily activities feel like a constant struggle. Whether you are commuting, working, or caring for your family, the inability to move your arm comfortably affects nearly every aspect of life.
Office workers may have trouble typing or reaching for files. Parents find it hard to pick up their children or cook meals. Fitness enthusiasts often have to give up workouts due to pain or reduced range of motion. Even basic self-care, like dressing or bathing, can become painful.
In a busy place like Brooklyn, where people are constantly on the move, limited shoulder mobility can lead to frustration and stress. The condition can also affect sleep, as nighttime pain often prevents rest, leading to fatigue and irritability. At Back in Motion, we provide in-home Frozen Shoulder Treatment in Brooklyn NY that fits your schedule, helping you recover while maintaining your everyday routine.
Evidence-Based Treatment Options
At Back in Motion, we use a comprehensive, evidence-based approach to relieve pain, improve function, and restore shoulder mobility. Our in-home services are personalized to each patient’s condition, activity level, and recovery goals.
Chiropractic Care
Gentle chiropractic adjustments can improve alignment in the shoulder and spine, reduce tension, and enhance joint movement. Manual techniques may help relieve stiffness and improve function when combined with other therapies (Cleveland Clinic, 2023).
Physical Therapy
Physical therapy is the cornerstone of frozen shoulder treatment. Stretching, strengthening, and range-of-motion exercises are used to gradually loosen the shoulder capsule. According to the Mayo Clinic, guided exercises under the supervision of a trained therapist can significantly improve recovery time and prevent relapse (Mayo Clinic, 2023).
Occupational Therapy
Our occupational therapists help you modify daily movements to avoid pain and promote healing. They teach ergonomics and adaptive strategies so you can safely perform everyday tasks while your shoulder heals.
Shockwave Therapy
Shockwave therapy uses acoustic waves to stimulate healing and reduce inflammation in the affected tissues. Clinical trials show that extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT) can effectively relieve pain and restore shoulder motion in frozen shoulder patients (PMC, 2014; PubMed, 2025).
Myofascial Cupping
Cupping therapy helps increase blood flow, relax tight muscles, and improve mobility in the shoulder region. It is often used as a supportive therapy alongside stretching and strengthening exercises.
Manipulation and Mobilization
Manual therapy techniques, including gentle joint manipulation and mobilization, improve shoulder range of motion. These treatments are typically performed progressively to prevent strain and enhance recovery outcomes.
Normatec Compression Therapy
Normatec compression improves circulation and reduces inflammation after exercise or therapy sessions, helping speed up muscle and tissue recovery.
Spinal Decompression and Sport Rehabilitation
While spinal decompression primarily targets back pain, it can improve posture and relieve nerve tension that contributes to shoulder strain. For athletes, sport rehab programs help restore full strength and flexibility, allowing safe return to training and performance.
Car Accidents and Workers Compensation
If your frozen shoulder developed from a workplace injury or car accident, Back in Motion provides complete documentation and therapy under workers’ compensation programs. Our team ensures safe, supported recovery from start to finish.
Each plan combines clinical expertise with patient education to ensure effective, lasting results.
Our Approach at Back in Motion
At Back in Motion, we believe successful recovery starts with personalized care. Our Frozen Shoulder Treatment in Brooklyn NY is tailored to each patient’s condition and lifestyle, integrating therapy, movement education, and long-term prevention strategies.
Your treatment begins with a thorough assessment to understand the cause and severity of your frozen shoulder. We then create a step-by-step rehabilitation plan using stretching, strengthening, and manual therapy techniques to improve function.
Because all care is provided in-home, you can focus on healing comfortably in your own space. Our evidence-based methods follow best practices recommended by leading institutions such as the Mayo Clinic and Cleveland Clinic, which highlight physical therapy, manual techniques, and consistent home exercises as key to recovery (Cleveland Clinic, 2023).
We also teach postural correction and movement strategies to help prevent stiffness from returning.
Why Choose Back in Motion in Brooklyn NY
Residents across Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island, Hoboken, and Jersey City choose Back in Motion for effective, compassionate, and convenient care.
In-home therapy for privacy and comfort
Licensed experts in chiropractic, physical, and occupational therapy
Evidence-based care supported by medical research
Personalized recovery plans tailored to your needs
Flexible scheduling from Monday to Saturday, 9 am to 8 pm
From Brighton Beach to Sheepshead Bay, we bring professional shoulder rehabilitation directly to your door.
Frequently Asked Questions
Frozen shoulder can develop after a period of shoulder immobility due to injury, surgery, or chronic conditions like diabetes. Inflammation and scar tissue formation lead to stiffness and limited range of motion.
The recovery period varies, but most patients improve within six months to a year. With consistent therapy, some regain near-full mobility even sooner.
While the condition may eventually improve, it often takes years without therapy. Structured physical and manual therapy can significantly speed recovery and improve comfort.
Yes. Clinical studies show that extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT) can reduce pain and improve shoulder movement in adhesive capsulitis patients (PMC, 2014).
Yes. We treat patients recovering from work-related injuries and assist with proper medical documentation. Visit our contact page for details.
You can receive expert, in-home therapy from Back in Motion, located at 2625 E 14th St #209, Brooklyn, NY 11235. We also serve nearby areas such as Queens, Staten Island, Hoboken, and Jersey City. Visit our book appointment page to schedule your consultation.
Start Your Frozen Shoulder Recovery Today
Frozen shoulder can disrupt your work, family life, and independence, but lasting relief is possible. With Frozen Shoulder Treatment in Brooklyn NY from Back in Motion, you can restore movement, reduce pain, and regain control of your daily activities.
Our expert team provides in-home care rooted in compassion and clinical excellence. Whether your condition developed from injury, surgery, or limited activity, we’re here to guide your recovery safely and effectively.
Contact us today to schedule your consultation in Brooklyn NY and take the first step toward pain-free motion. Visit Back in Motion to learn more or book your appointment.
FROZEN SHOULDER
Frozen Shoulder
Frozen shoulder, also known as adhesive capsulitis, is a condition that presents with pain, stiffness, and a limited range of motion in the shoulder. The primary approach to treating frozen shoulder is through rehabilitation.
The condition typically goes through three stages – freezing, frozen, and thawing. During the freezing stage, pain and stiffness increase while the range of motion decreases. The frozen stage is characterized by a plateau in symptoms and minimal improvement. Finally, the symptoms start to improve during the thawing stage.
On this page, we will cover the causes and symptoms of frozen shoulder, then dive into the scientific evidence that discusses the role of chiropractic care in managing this condition.
The causes of frozen shoulder
The causes of frozen shoulder are diverse and include:
- Hormonal imbalances
- Diabetes
- Weakened immune system
These conditions increase the risk of inflammation in the shoulder joint, which can lead to the deposit of collagen and fibrin. Over time, this process results in the loss of articular range of motion.
Other causes include systemic diseases, direct injuries to the shoulder, and inactivity due to illness or surgery. If you have one or more of these conditions, you are at a higher risk of developing adhesions in the shoulder joint. Consequently, your movement will get severely constricted. Unfortunately, when scar tissues form within your joint, your range of motion will get restricted.
According to studies, frozen shoulder typically develops over a period of 4-9 months.
The signs and symptoms of frozen shoulder
People generally become aware of frozen shoulder when they start experiencing pain. As the condition progresses, the pain limits the movements of the shoulders, causing a restricted range of motion. This makes it difficult for patients to move their shoulders. For instance, reaching for items on high shelves becomes extremely challenging.
Healthcare professionals determine the severity of your condition by evaluating how it’s affecting your day-to-day activities and quality of life.
The signs and symptoms of frozen shoulder develop gradually and include:
- Pain in the shoulder that may be dull or aching. Usually, the pain becomes worse at night
- Stiffness in the shoulder that makes it difficult to move or lift your arm
- Limited range of motion in the shoulder, making it hard to reach overhead, behind the back, or across the chest
- Weakness in the shoulder and arm
- A crackling or grating sensation when moving the shoulder
In some cases, the pain may radiate down the arm or into the elbow and hand.
What are the complications of frozen shoulder?
While the condition usually resolves without complications, untreated frozen shoulder can lead to some debilitating consequences.
Some of the potential complications of frozen shoulder include:
Chronic pain – If the pain and stiffness associated with frozen shoulder are not effectively managed, it can lead to ongoing pain and discomfort that can impact daily activities and quality of life.
Limited range of motion – Frozen shoulder can cause the shoulder joint to become stiff and restrict the range of motion. This can make it difficult to perform everyday tasks such as dressing, reaching, and lifting objects.
Weakness – The stiffness and pain associated with frozen shoulder will partially immobilize the shoulder articulation, leading to muscle weakness and a lack of muscle tone.
Recurrence – Some people may experience a recurrence of frozen shoulder after it has resolved. These cases require frequent chiropractic care sessions to prevent chronic disease.
Surgical intervention – In some cases, surgery may be needed to release the scar tissue and adhesions that are causing the stiffness and pain associated with frozen shoulder.
These complications are relatively uncommon. However, they can be severe and irreversible when neglected. For this reason, we recommend that you reach out to a chiropractor as soon as possible to improve your clinical outcome.
How chiropractic care helps with frozen shoulder
Chiropractors use a variety of techniques, such as manual adjustments, mobilization, and soft tissue therapy, rehab exercises, and shockwave therapy to help improve the range of motion and reduce pain in the shoulder joint.
According to a systematic review of randomized controlled trials, chiropractic care is effective in improving the range of motion and reducing pain in individuals with frozen shoulder. The study found that manual therapy and exercise were more effective than other forms of treatment, such as ultrasound or electrotherapy.
Another systematic review published in the Journal of Orthopaedic and Sports Physical Therapy found that manual therapy (e.g., mobilization and manipulation) was effective in improving the range of motion and reducing pain in people with frozen shoulder.
When it comes to the rate of improvement, researchers investigated this topic by recruiting 50 participants with frozen shoulder. These participants were then divided into two groups:
- The first group received chiropractic care
- The second group received physical therapy
Assessing the symptoms of all participants revealed that the first group experienced better clinical improvement compared to the second one. More specifically, chiropractic care showed an average improvement of 40% in the range of motion, 34% in pain, and 57% in physical function.
To back up the results of the previous research, a another study published in the Journal of Chiropractic Medicine reported that patients with frozen shoulder who received chiropractic care had significant improvement in pain, range of motion, and day-to-day function. This study included a total of 20 patients with frozen shoulder who received chiropractic care. The authors found that patients had an average improvement of 57% in the range of motion, 71% in pain, and 80% in day-to-day function.
Takeaway message
Frozen shoulder is a common condition that could be debilitating for some patients. Medications are often not effective in restoring functionality. For this reason, people are opting for chiropractic care to naturally rehabilitate their shoulder and restore their range of motion.
We hope that this article managed to explain the role of chiropractic care in the management of frozen shoulder.
If you have any specific questions about frozen shoulder or how we can help you, please do not hesitate to reach out to us via the contact us page!