If you’ve ever woken up and noticed your shoulder feels stiff, achy, and nearly impossible to move without pain, you might have wondered: “Is this frozen shoulder?” The tricky part is that many shoulder conditions look and feel very similar, and misdiagnosis is surprisingly common. That’s why understanding frozen shoulder and how it progresses is key to getting the right treatment and getting back to your life without discomfort holding you back.
When providing chiropractic care here in Jupiter, FL, I often see patients who are convinced they have frozen shoulder, only to discover it’s something else entirely. On the other hand, I’ve also treated people who had been misdiagnosed for months before finding out frozen shoulder was really the culprit.
So, how do you know if it’s truly frozen shoulder? And what can you expect if that’s the case? Let’s break it down.
What Exactly Is Frozen Shoulder?
Frozen shoulder, also called adhesive capsulitis, happens when the capsule of connective tissue that surrounds the shoulder joint becomes inflamed and thickened. This process limits the joint’s ability to move and can cause severe pain and stiffness.
Here’s the catch: frozen shoulder isn’t the only condition that causes pain and limited range of motion. It’s often confused with:
Rotator cuff injuries (tendon tears or inflammation)
Arthritis in the shoulder joint
Bursitis (inflammation of the fluid-filled sac in the shoulder)
Pinched nerves in the neck that radiate pain into the shoulder
This overlap is why a proper diagnosis is so important. Frozen shoulder has a very distinct progression through different stages, and treatment must be tailored accordingly.
What Are the Four Stages of Frozen Shoulder?
Frozen shoulder doesn’t appear overnight… it develops slowly, often over months or even years. There are four key stages patients typically go through:
1. The Freezing Stage
This is the beginning. You’ll start to notice increasing pain and stiffness, especially with overhead movements or reaching behind your back. Daily activities, like putting on a jacket or reaching into the back seat of your car, become painful. This stage can last on average, 6 weeks to 9 months, and the range of motion gradually decreases.
2. The Frozen Stage
Pain may actually improve slightly during this stage, but stiffness becomes the main issue. Movements are severely limited, and you may feel like your arm is literally “stuck.” Everyday tasks like putting on a shirt, combing your hair, or even reaching for a cup in the cabinet become frustrating challenges. This stage can last on average, 4 to 6 months.
3. The Thawing Stage
This is when things start to get better. Range of motion gradually improves, and daily tasks become easier. The thawing stage can last on average 6 months to 2 years, and progress tends to be slow but steady.
4. Recovery Stage
Most patients eventually regain near-full shoulder function, but without proper treatment and rehabilitation, some stiffness and weakness can linger for years. That’s why it’s so important to get help early.
When Should You See a Chiropractor in Jupiter?
If you’re noticing that your shoulder pain seems to be worsening over time, or if you’ve lost a significant amount of range of motion, that’s the time to schedule an evaluation. Chiropractors treat a range of common conditions and can play a vital role in identifying frozen shoulder, ensuring you don’t waste time on the wrong treatment plan.
At Jupiter Spine and Performance, we use a 1-on-1, concierge-style approach, meaning every visit is private, unrushed, and focused entirely on you. This is particularly important for conditions like frozen shoulder, where progress needs to be tracked carefully over time.
How Does Chiropractic Care Help with Frozen Shoulder?
So, where does chiropractic care come in? A comprehensive treatment plan can:
- Improve mobility through targeted adjustments and gentle mobilizations of the shoulder and surrounding joints.
- Reduce pain and inflammation with soft tissue techniques, stretching, and modalities like Shockwave Therapy, Dry Needling, Active Release Technique, or Graston Technique. All beneficial modalities offered here at Jupiter Spine and Performance
- Address compensations since when one shoulder is restricted, the rest of your body often develops imbalances to make up for it.
- Support long-term healing with corrective exercises that restore strength and flexibility as the shoulder recovers.
As a chiropractor in Jupiter, FL, I often combine traditional chiropractic care with advanced therapies like soft tissue treatments, Graston Technique, and rehabilitative exercise programs. The goal is not just to get the shoulder moving again but also to ensure the problem doesn’t come back.
What May Happen If You Ignore Frozen Shoulder?
It’s tempting to think frozen shoulder will just “work itself out.” And technically, in some cases, it does improve over a couple of years. But here’s the problem: ignoring it can mean living with years of unnecessary pain and limitation.
Early treatment makes a big difference. With the right approach, we can often shorten the duration of frozen shoulder and prevent complications like chronic stiffness, muscle loss, or altered posture that affects the rest of the spine.
Tips for Supporting Recovery at Home
While in-office treatment is essential, what you do at home matters too. Some tips include:
- Gentle stretching: Small, pain-free stretches (like pendulum swings) help maintain mobility.
- Heat therapy: Applying heat before stretching can relax muscles and improve blood flow.
- Posture awareness: Avoid slouching or keeping the shoulder immobilized for long periods.
- Stay consistent: Frozen shoulder improves with steady effort, not quick fixes.
The Bottom Line: Thoughts From a Jupiter Chiropractor
Frozen shoulder can be one of the most frustrating conditions because it sneaks up slowly, worsens over time, and makes even simple movements a struggle. But with the right diagnosis and a carefully guided treatment plan, recovery is not only possible, but it can happen much faster than waiting it out.
If you live in Jupiter, Palm Beach Gardens, Tequesta, Juno Beach, or the surrounding areas and think you may be dealing with frozen shoulder, I’d love to help you get moving again. At Jupiter Spine and Performance, you’ll receive 1-on-1 care in a private setting, without crowded waiting rooms or rushed appointments. It’s chiropractic care designed to give you the time and attention you deserve.
Don’t wait for your shoulder to “unfreeze” on its own. Let’s start the thaw today. Contact me by phone at (561) 951-7454, or by email at dralyssa@jupiterspineandperformance.com to set up your first appointment.
Relieve Your Shoulder Pain Naturally With Chiropractic Care in Jupiter, FL
If shoulder pain and stiffness are limiting your movement or disrupting daily life, chiropractic care can help you find relief and support recovery at every stage of frozen shoulder. Through gentle, evidence-based techniques, a chiropractor can improve mobility, reduce inflammation, and help restore strength—without relying solely on medication or invasive procedures.
At my Jupiter chiropractic practice, I make it easy to get the care you need by offering after-hours appointments that fit your schedule. Whether you’re in the early, painful stage of frozen shoulder or working on regaining motion after months of stiffness, I’ll create a personalized treatment plan to support your recovery and long-term shoulder health.
Here’s how to get started:
- Learn how chiropractic care can relieve shoulder pain naturally when you book an appointment
- Work with an experienced chiropractor in Jupiter, FL, for tailored, hands-on care
- Move forward with confidence, knowing your treatment fits your life and your goals
Other Jupiter Chiropractic Services I Provide
Regaining shoulder mobility and reducing pain from frozen shoulder takes more than time. It requires a thoughtful, multi-faceted approach to healing. Chiropractic care can help improve joint function, decrease inflammation, and restore strength so you can move with confidence again.
At my Jupiter chiropractic practice, I combine targeted shoulder care with a variety of other therapies to create personalized treatment plans that go beyond standard adjustments. Depending on your needs, we may use shockwave therapy to stimulate soft tissue repair, flexion-distraction for gentle spinal decompression, or therapeutic ultrasound to encourage deep tissue healing and reduce inflammation. I also offer cupping therapy to relieve muscle tension and promote circulation, along with advanced soft tissue techniques such as the Graston Technique and Active Release Technique (ART) to break up adhesions and restore movement. For added support during recovery, Electrical Muscle Stimulation (EMS) may be used to improve muscle activation and reduce discomfort, and Dry Needling can be incorporated to release stubborn trigger points.
Together, these treatments work to reduce pain, improve shoulder function, and help you progress through each stage of frozen shoulder more comfortably. To explore how these services can fit into your recovery plan, visit the chiropractic blog, FAQ section, and our Facebook and Instagram pages to keep up with the latest. And when you’re ready, schedule a daytime appointment or an after-hours session to begin your journey back to better movement.
About the Author
Dr. Alyssa Garber helps patients overcome stubborn shoulder pain and regain mobility through personalized chiropractic care. As a proud Jupiter native and former competitive athlete, she understands how injuries like frozen shoulder can disrupt daily life and limit activity. Her passion for movement and recovery drives her to help patients heal safely and return to the activities they love.
At Jupiter Spine and Performance, Dr. Alyssa provides concierge and after-hours appointments, making care accessible and convenient for busy lifestyles. She earned her Doctorate of Chiropractic from Keiser University and holds advanced certifications in the Graston Technique and Active Release Technique (ART)—both highly effective for improving shoulder mobility and reducing chronic stiffness. With a holistic, patient-centered approach, she combines hands-on expertise with innovative therapies to guide her patients toward long-term relief and better function.