Frozen Shoulder: A Holistic Lens

A patient once told me, “It feels like my arm has been glued to my side.” She couldn’t hook her bra in the morning, reaching into a cupboard made her wince, and she dreaded rolling over at night because the ache would wake her up. This limitation was more than just ‘tight muscles.’ It was frozen shoulder, a condition that often arrives quietly but can deeply affect daily life.

What is frozen shoulder?

Frozen shoulder, or adhesive capsulitis, happens when the capsule around the shoulder joint — like a drawstring bag — becomes tighter and less flexible. This makes daily movements like reaching for a tissue in the car console, pulling a sweater over the head, or even sleeping on the affected side very difficult. It tends to develop gradually, consistently moving through three phases: 

• freezing (painful and increasing stiffness) 

• frozen (severe restriction but often less sharp pain)

• thawing (gradual return of mobility)

  
  

Why does frozen shoulder happen?

The exact cause isn’t always clear. Sometimes it follows an injury, surgery, or period of

immobility. It’s more common in women between 40–60, and is also linked with metabolic and hormonal shifts, like thyroid imbalance, diabetes, or changes during perimenopause. At its core, frozen shoulder is both a physical tightening of the joint capsule and a protective response from the nervous system.

How long does it last?

Without support, frozen shoulder may take one to three years to move through its phases. The process can feel discouraging, but the good news is that gentle, consistent care can help the shoulder regain movement more comfortably - and more quickly.

How does holistic care support frozen shoulder?

Healing isn’t just about the shoulder joint — it’s about the whole system around it.

Myofascial Posture Support: Fascia — the body’s connective web — influences shoulder mobility. When fascia around the chest, ribcage, and upper back is restricted, the shoulder joint moves with greater tension. Gentle fascial release, posture awareness, and supportive exercises help ease this grip (loosen the drawstring), giving the shoulder more freedom.

Chiropractic Care: Specific adjustments can help restore balanced motion not only at the shoulder but also at the spine, clavicle, and ribs. When the surrounding joints are moving well, the shoulder capsule is not under as much strain.

Craniosacral Therapy: Sometimes frozen shoulder is linked with nervous system “guarding” — the body holds onto tension because it doesn’t feel safe to release. Craniosacral work calms the nervous system, softens protective muscle guarding, and invites deeper healing from within.

Supplements: whether it’s changes in blood sugar levels, thyroid hormones or estrogen, a proper nutrition boost can be beneficial to reducing frozen shoulder on a microscopic level. 

A Simple Practice to Try Now

Place one hand gently on your chest. Take three slow breaths into your ribcage, imagining the breath widening across your collarbones. Notice how your shoulder naturally lowers and feels less guarded. Small moments like this teach the nervous system that it’s safe to release.

What can I do at home?

• Keep the shoulder gently moving within a comfortable range, even if it’s small.

• Heat and breathwork can relax protective tension before movement.

• Work on posture awareness — opening the chest and supporting the spine reduces forward rounding that worsens shoulder restriction.

• Be patient and compassionate with your body — frozen shoulder is a marathon, not a sprint.

When should I seek care?

If you notice ongoing shoulder stiffness, pain at night that disrupts sleep, or loss of your normal range of motion, it’s time to get assessed. An exam is the first step toward understanding what phase your shoulder is in and how to best support recovery. I’d be honored to work with you — you can book your exam today here. 

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Frozen shoulder is frustrating, but it is not forever. With gentle, holistic care and a focus on both posture and nervous system balance, your shoulder can gradually return to ease and freedom. What's stopping you from the life you love - and is it worth suffering any longer? Let's get you the help you deserve and desire!