Chiropractic for Frozen Shoulder in Naperville, IL

Your shoulder hurts to move and hurts to stay still. The pain is deep and persistent, the stiffness is getting worse, and you’re sleeping poorly because you can’t find a comfortable position. You’ve been told you have frozen shoulder, and the advice you’ve gotten so far has been some combination of cortisone, physical therapy, and “wait it out” — none of which seems to be addressing what’s actually happening inside your shoulder.

At some point, you stop wanting another generic recommendation and start wanting someone to actually fix what’s going on.

Many of the patients we see have been told that chiropractic isn’t “for” shoulders — that it’s only for back and neck pain, and that for shoulder issues you should see PT or an orthopedic doctor. That advice is incomplete, and it costs patients real recovery time. Foundational chiropractic research dating to Murphy 2012 in the Journal of Chiropractic Medicinedocumented significant pain reduction and shoulder abduction improvement in 50 consecutive frozen shoulder patients treated with a chiropractic protocol focused on the cervical and thoracic spine. The findings explain something most patients aren’t told: chiropractic for frozen shoulder isn’t really about adjusting the shoulder. It’s about restoring the kinetic chain that lets the shoulder work.

Synergy Institute Acupuncture & Chiropractic is one of the most experienced chiropractic providers for frozen shoulder in Naperville. Dr. Jennifer Wise is a Palmer College graduate with 26+ years of clinical experience and dual credentials as a Doctor of Chiropractic and Acupuncturist. We use both manual chiropractic and the Impulse iQ Adjuster — instrument-assisted adjusting that delivers precise force without the twisting or cracking some patients want to avoid. If you’ve been searching for a chiropractor for frozen shoulder near me in the Naperville area, this guide walks you through how chiropractic actually treats adhesive capsulitis, why the cervical and thoracic spine matters more than most patients realize, and how to know if you’re a good candidate.

---

Synergy Institute Acupuncture & Chiropractic is a frozen shoulder treatment clinic located in Naperville, Illinois at 4931 Illinois Rte 59, Suite 121, near 111th Street. We treat patients from Naperville, Plainfield, Bolingbrook, Aurora, Oswego, and the surrounding south suburbs of Chicago for adhesive capsulitis using stage-specific chiropractic care integrated into the Synergy Shoulder Restore Program.

What makes our chiropractic approach different is that we don’t treat frozen shoulder as a shoulder-only problem. The shoulder works in concert with the cervical spine, thoracic spine, scapula, and rib cage — and frozen shoulder almost universally involves restrictions in those upstream regions. Treating the shoulder in isolation while ignoring the kinetic chain leaves recovery on the table. The dual DC and Acupuncturist credential matters because adjusting, joint mobilization, soft tissue work, and dry needling are all available in the same visit, alongside acupuncture when the clinical picture calls for it.

A 50-patient retrospective case series published in the Journal of Chiropractic Medicine (Murphy et al., 2012) followed consecutive frozen shoulder patients treated with chiropractic adjustments focused on the cervical and thoracic spine. The series showed significant decreases in numeric pain rating scale scores and significant improvements in shoulder abduction at final evaluation — produced without direct manipulation of the glenohumeral joint. A broader systematic review on manipulative therapy for shoulder disorders (Brantingham et al.) supported the use of multimodal chiropractic management, particularly when combined with soft tissue work, mobilization, and exercise.

---

The Short Answer

Chiropractic for frozen shoulder works best when it addresses the whole kinetic chain — cervical spine, thoracic spine, scapula, and rib cage — not just the shoulder joint itself. In the freezing stage, treatment focuses on upstream restrictions and gentle soft tissue work; direct shoulder manipulation is contraindicated. In the frozen stage, glenohumeral mobilization joins the protocol. In the thawing stage, end-range work and active rehabilitation lead. A typical course is 12–15 sessions over 6–8 weeks.

Schedule your free Pain Relief Special at Synergy →

---

Quick Facts: Chiropractic for Frozen Shoulder

---

What Chiropractic Actually Does for Frozen Shoulder

Frozen shoulder is a problem of the joint capsule, but it’s never just a capsular problem. The shoulder is integrated with the cervical spine, thoracic spine, scapula, and rib cage. When the capsule contracts and stiffens, the body compensates by changing how the shoulder blade moves on the rib cage, how the cervical spine functions, and how the rotator cuff fires. Those compensations become part of the problem. For the deeper biology of frozen shoulder itself, see our best treatments for frozen shoulder guide — this article focuses on what chiropractic specifically does.

Chiropractic addresses several mechanisms at once: cervical and thoracic adjustments restore segmental spinal mobility (required for normal scapular motion), glenohumeral mobilization restores joint glide and capsular extensibility, scapulothoracic mobilization addresses the dyskinesis that develops as the body compensates, soft tissue work releases protective muscle guarding in the rotator cuff and surrounding muscles, and dry needling targets specific trigger points that don’t release with manual work alone.

---

Why Cervical and Thoracic Adjustments Matter — The Kinetic-Chain Story

This is the part most chiropractic articles miss, and it’s the single most important piece.

Frozen shoulder almost universally involves dysfunction in the cervical and thoracic spine. The reason is anatomical: the shoulder blade rests on the rib cage, the rib cage attaches to the thoracic spine, and the rotator cuff is innervated by nerves exiting the cervical spine. If the upper thoracic vertebrae are restricted, the scapula can’t tilt and rotate normally — and without normal scapular motion, the shoulder can’t elevate properly. If the cervical spine is restricted, the protective muscle patterns around the shoulder don’t release.

Murphy 2012 published a 50-patient retrospective case series in the Journal of Chiropractic Medicine. The protocol focused specifically on cervical and thoracic adjustments — not direct shoulder manipulation. The results showed significant pain reduction and significant improvements in shoulder abduction. The takeaway isn’t that the shoulder didn’t need attention; it’s that addressing the upstream kinetic chain produces measurable shoulder-specific results, even when the shoulder itself isn’t being directly manipulated.

In our Naperville clinic, every frozen shoulder evaluation includes a careful cervical and thoracic exam. We frequently find restrictions at C7-T1, T2-T4, and the upper rib articulations that the patient hasn’t connected to their shoulder pain — but addressing them often produces immediate change in shoulder mobility. That’s the kinetic-chain story that most clinics either don’t know or don’t apply.

---

The Stage-Specific Chiropractic Protocol — Synergy Shoulder Restore

The single most important variable in chiropractic for frozen shoulder is matching technique to stage. Adhesive capsulitis isn’t static; it moves through three distinct stages with different dominant clinical problems, and the chiropractic approach changes meaningfully in each.

Stage 1: Freezing (2–9 months) — Inflammation Dominant. Pain leads. The capsule is acutely inflamed; direct glenohumeral manipulation is contraindicated and can flare the inflammation. Treatment focuses entirely on the upstream kinetic chain — cervical and thoracic adjustments, gentle scapulothoracic mobilization, soft tissue work to release protective muscle patterns, and pain-modulating modalities. The Impulse iQ Adjuster is particularly valuable here because it delivers precise force without the rotational stress of some manual techniques. Many patients arriving in this stage have been told to push through painful PT — and unknowingly aggravated the inflammation. Our work in this stage often starts by quieting things down before doing anything aggressive.

Stage 2: Frozen (4–12 months) — Fibrosis Dominant. Pain begins to ease, but stiffness intensifies as fibrotic tissue takes over the capsule. Treatment shifts toward addressing the capsule directly. Glenohumeral mobilization (anterior, posterior, inferior glides) becomes appropriate. Cervical and thoracic adjustments continue. Soft tissue work and dry needling target the trigger points that have developed in the rotator cuff, deltoid, and surrounding muscles. SoftWave therapy often joins the protocol in this stage to provide mechanical input that adjusting alone can’t deliver. Frequency is typically 1–2 sessions per week over 6–8 weeks.

Stage 3: Thawing (5–24 months) — Healing and ROM Recovery. Range of motion is gradually returning. Treatment shifts toward end-range mobilization, scapular and rotator cuff activation, postural correction, and active rehabilitation. Chiropractic frequency tapers. The clinical emphasis is on returning to normal function and preventing recurrence — particularly important because frozen shoulder occasionally develops in the contralateral shoulder later.

The Synergy Shoulder Restore Program coordinates these stages rather than treating them as isolated episodes. The chiropractic component sequences with acupuncture, MLS laser, and SoftWave based on what your specific stage and pattern require. For the broader treatment landscape, see our shoulder pain treatment page.

---

The Chiropractic Toolkit We Draw From

Customization in chiropractic for frozen shoulder isn’t improvisation. There’s a known clinical toolkit, organized into three functional categories:

• Spinal and regional adjustments — cervical, thoracic, and rib mobility work. Available as manual adjustments or via the Impulse iQ Adjuster (instrument-assisted, no twisting or cracking, ideal for patients who are nervous about manual technique).
• Direct shoulder joint work — glenohumeral mobilization, scapulothoracic mobilization, capsular stretching at end ranges (timing-dependent on stage).
• Soft tissue and trigger point work — myofascial release, dry needling, instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization, and active release for specific muscle adhesions.

Within each category there are multiple specific techniques. We choose which techniques, in what combination, with what intensity, and with what session frequency based on what your shoulder shows on exam, what stage you’re in, and what’s actually driving your particular frozen shoulder.

But knowing the techniques isn’t the same as knowing which technique helps you. Two patients with identical frozen shoulder diagnoses can need substantially different treatment because their kinetic chain restrictions are different, their tissue tolerance is different, their stage is different, and their constitutional response varies. The technique selection, intensity, and treatment cadence are all variables we adjust based on what your exam reveals. The toolkit is fixed. The right combination for you isn’t. Solving that puzzle is the practitioner’s job — and 26+ years of clinical chiropractic practice is what separates pattern recognition from guesswork.

---

Chiropractic vs Other Frozen Shoulder Treatments

The honest framing: chiropractic isn’t a replacement for the other modalities — it’s the most effective way to address the kinetic-chain component of frozen shoulder. Most of our patients receive it alongside one or more adjunct modalities, sequenced to stage.

---

What the Research Shows

Murphy F, et al. (2012) published a 50-patient retrospective case series in the Journal of Chiropractic Medicinedocumenting outcomes of frozen shoulder patients treated with cervical and thoracic chiropractic adjustments. Patients showed significant decreases in numeric pain rating scale scores and significant improvements in shoulder abduction at final evaluation. The case series remains the foundational research supporting kinetic-chain-focused chiropractic for frozen shoulder.

Brantingham JW et al. published a comprehensive systematic review on manipulative therapy for shoulder pain and disorders in the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics. The review supported multimodal manipulative therapy for several shoulder conditions, particularly when combined with adjunct modalities like soft tissue work, exercise, and other physical therapies.

Multiple randomized controlled trials have evaluated dry needling specifically for frozen shoulder, showing significant improvements in shoulder range of motion across all planes when applied to active trigger points in the rotator cuff and surrounding muscles.

The honest framing: chiropractic for frozen shoulder isn’t a single intervention with a single research base — it’s a multimodal approach. The evidence supports the integrated model (adjustments + mobilization + soft tissue + dry needling), not single-technique cookbook approaches. That’s the model we use in our Naperville clinic, and it’s what separates the outcomes we see from generic shoulder-pain chiropractic care.

---

What to Expect at Synergy

A typical course of chiropractic care for frozen shoulder runs 12–15 sessions over 6–8 weeks, with frequency tapering as the shoulder responds. Freezing stage usually starts at 2 sessions per week; frozen stage runs 1–2 per week; thawing stage tapers to weekly or maintenance.

Each session takes 25 to 40 minutes. The visit typically starts with a brief reassessment — what’s better, what’s still restricted, what new patterns are emerging — followed by treatment that combines spinal adjusting (manual or Impulse iQ depending on patient preference and clinical fit), glenohumeral or scapulothoracic mobilization (in stages 2 and 3), soft tissue work, and often dry needling for active trigger points.

Manual adjustments produce a brief stretching sensation; some adjustments include the audible joint cavitation (“crack”) that some patients find satisfying and others want to avoid. The Impulse iQ Adjuster is an alternative that delivers precise force without the manual stretch — most patients describe it as a quick, painless tap. Either approach works; we match the technique to your comfort and clinical fit.

Most patients begin to notice change within the first 3 to 5 sessions, with continued progress through the full course.

---

Chiropractic Within the Shoulder Restore Program

Chiropractic is one component of the Synergy Shoulder Restore Program — not the entire answer. The program sequences four primary modalities based on what each does best: chiropractic for kinetic-chain restoration and joint mobilization, acupuncture for pain modulation and nervous-system regulation, MLS laser for cellular-level photobiomodulation, and SoftWave therapy for mechanical input to the fully fibrotic capsule.

The integration matters because frozen shoulder is a regional pattern, not an isolated capsular problem. Patients consistently see better outcomes when the whole pattern is addressed through coordinated multi-modality care than when any one modality is used alone. For the broader Naperville-area treatment overview, see our best treatments for shoulder pain in Naperville hub.

---

Chiropractic Is Best For

• Frozen shoulder at any stage, with technique adjusted to your stage and pattern
• Patients with cervical or thoracic restrictions contributing to their shoulder pain (most cases)
• Patients who’ve been told “chiropractic is just for backs and necks”
• Patients nervous about manual adjustments — Impulse iQ provides a gentle alternative
• Multi-modality protocols where chiropractic is sequenced with acupuncture, MLS, and SoftWave
• Patients who want to avoid cortisone, manipulation under anesthesia, or capsular release surgery

---

Honest Candidacy: Who Chiropractic Helps and Who We Refer Out

You’re a good fit for chiropractic at our Naperville clinic if you have confirmed adhesive capsulitis at any stage, you want a treatment that addresses the kinetic chain rather than just the shoulder, you’ve tried PT or cortisone without sustained relief, you’re willing to commit to a multi-session course, you’re open to a multi-modality approach when the clinical picture calls for it, or you’re nervous about manual adjustments and want the Impulse iQ option.

You may not be a good fit if you have an active shoulder fracture or unhealed surgery, severe osteoporosis or active rheumatoid arthritis flare, known cervical instability or vertebral artery anomaly, an expectation that a single visit will resolve a months-long capsular condition, or shoulder pain that turns out to be from something other than frozen shoulder — we screen for this on day one and refer out if needed. If you’re not sure whether you have frozen shoulder or a rotator cuff tear, our diagnostic comparison guide walks through how to tell.

If we don’t think we can help you in our Naperville clinic, we’ll tell you on day one and point you to the right next step.

---

Contraindications and Special Considerations

A few patient profiles need additional attention before starting chiropractic care for frozen shoulder:

• Active fracture in the shoulder, scapula, clavicle, or upper rib region — chiropractic adjustment is contraindicated; we coordinate with orthopedic care
• Recent shoulder surgery (within 8–12 weeks) — direct mobilization deferred; gentle distal work only with surgeon’s clearance
• Severe osteoporosis — modifies technique selection; manual adjustments may be replaced with Impulse iQ instrument adjusting; force levels reduced
• Active rheumatoid arthritis flare — direct manipulation contraindicated; soft tissue and adjunct modalities only during the flare
• Cervical instability or vertebral artery anomaly — neck adjustments contraindicated or significantly modified
• Pregnancy — adjustments are safe with appropriate technique modification (positioning, force level)

---

Pricing Transparency

Your first visit at Synergy Institute is free with our Pain Relief Special — a complete shoulder evaluation, treatment recommendations, and an honest assessment of whether chiropractic (alone or as part of a multi-modality protocol) is right for you. After that, treatment plan pricing is walked through transparently with no surprises. Many insurance plans cover chiropractic visits; we verify your benefits before treatment begins.

---

Why Choose Synergy for Chiropractic for Frozen Shoulder in Naperville

• Palmer College graduate. Dr. Wise holds a Doctor of Chiropractic from Palmer College, the founding institution of chiropractic, with 26+ years of clinical experience.
• Dual credential. DC + Acupuncturist under one roof — differential exam, adjusting, mobilization, soft tissue work, and dry needling all available in the same visit.
• Manual + Impulse iQ. Both manual chiropractic and instrument-assisted adjusting available — your treatment can be tailored to your comfort level.
• Stage-specific protocol. The Synergy Shoulder Restore Program treats freezing, frozen, and thawing differently because they require different things.
• Multi-modality integration. Chiropractic sequences with acupuncture, MLS laser, and SoftWave based on stage.
• Honest assessment. If we don’t think chiropractic is right for you, we say so on day one and refer you appropriately.

---

🚨 When to Seek Immediate Care

Skip the article and go to urgent care or the ER if you have any of: sudden complete loss of arm function after a fall or trauma, visible deformity of the shoulder, numbness or tingling extending down the arm with weakness, fever with a hot or swollen shoulder (possible joint infection), or shoulder pain accompanied by chest pain, jaw pain, or shortness of breath.

---

Schedule Your Free Pain Relief Special in Naperville

If you’ve been dealing with a frozen shoulder for weeks, months, or years and you’re ready for a treatment that addresses the whole kinetic chain — not just the shoulder — chiropractic at Synergy may be the approach that finally moves things forward.

Synergy Institute Acupuncture & Chiropractic 4931 Illinois Rte 59, Suite 121 Naperville, IL 60564 (near 111th Street)

Call or text (630) 454-1300, or call our office directly at (630) 355-8022 to schedule your appointment and claim your Pain Relief Special — a complete shoulder evaluation, an honest treatment recommendation, and a clear answer on whether chiropractic is right for you.

Serving Naperville, Plainfield, Bolingbrook, Aurora, Oswego, Lisle, and the surrounding south Chicago suburbs.

---

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is the best clinic in Naperville for chiropractic for frozen shoulder?

Synergy Institute Acupuncture & Chiropractic is one of the most experienced chiropractic providers for frozen shoulder in Naperville. Dr. Jennifer Wise is a Palmer College graduate with 26+ years of clinical experience and dual credentials as a Doctor of Chiropractic and Acupuncturist. Our Synergy Shoulder Restore Program integrates stage-specific chiropractic care with acupuncture, MLS laser, and SoftWave therapy — each modality applied when it serves your stage and underlying pattern. Both manual and Impulse iQ instrument adjusting are available. The first visit is free with our Pain Relief Special.

Is it worth going to see a chiropractor with a frozen shoulder?

Yes — and the research supports it. Murphy 2012’s 50-patient case series in the Journal of Chiropractic Medicinedocumented significant pain reduction and shoulder abduction improvement using a chiropractic protocol focused on cervical and thoracic adjustments. The catch is that chiropractic for frozen shoulder needs to address the kinetic chain (not just the shoulder), needs to be stage-appropriate (direct shoulder manipulation is contraindicated in the freezing stage), and works best as part of a multi-modality protocol. Cookbook chiropractic underperforms; integrated chiropractic — like the protocol we use in our Naperville clinic — produces measurable results.

Is physio or chiropractic better for frozen shoulder?

They’re complementary, not competing. Physical therapy excels at active rehabilitation, exercise progression, and end-range work — particularly valuable in the thawing stage. Chiropractic excels at addressing the cervical/thoracic kinetic chain, joint mobilization, and trigger point work. The honest answer is that the best outcomes typically come from combining both, or from a chiropractor who integrates both approaches under one roof. At Synergy, our chiropractic protocol includes the manual therapy, mobilization, and exercise progression elements traditionally associated with PT — plus the kinetic-chain work that purely PT-based clinics often miss.

How many chiropractic sessions does frozen shoulder typically take?

A typical course runs 12–15 sessions over 6–8 weeks. Freezing stage usually starts at 2 sessions per week initially, frozen stage at 1–2 per week over 6–8 weeks, thawing stage tapers to 1 per week or maintenance. Single-session expectations don’t work for frozen shoulder — the condition takes time to respond regardless of treatment. Patients who commit to the course see meaningfully better outcomes than those who try one or two visits and stop.

Will my shoulder be cracked or twisted? What if I’m afraid of manual adjustments?

You have options. Manual adjustments produce a stretching sensation and sometimes an audible joint release (“crack”). Some patients find that satisfying; others want to avoid it entirely. The Impulse iQ Adjuster is an instrument that delivers precise force without the manual stretch — most patients describe it as a quick, painless tap. We match the technique to your comfort level and clinical needs. Either approach can produce excellent outcomes for frozen shoulder; the technique selection is yours to influence.

Can chiropractic actually help in the freezing stage, or do I need to wait?

Chiropractic absolutely helps in the freezing stage — but the technique has to match the stage. Direct manipulation of the shoulder is contraindicated when the capsule is acutely inflamed; pushing on an inflamed joint flares it. Stage 1 chiropractic care focuses on the upstream kinetic chain (cervical and thoracic adjustments, scapulothoracic mobilization, soft tissue work), pain modulation, and protective muscle release. That work produces measurable shoulder improvement even though the shoulder itself isn’t being directly manipulated — Murphy 2012’s research validates this approach.

Should I get chiropractic, acupuncture, MLS laser, SoftWave, or all four?

It depends on your stage and pattern. Most of our frozen shoulder patients receive a combination because the modalities do different things: chiropractic addresses the kinetic chain and joint mechanics, acupuncture handles pain modulation and nervous system regulation, MLS laser drives cellular-level photobiomodulation, SoftWave provides mechanical input to fibrotic capsule. In the freezing stage, chiropractic and acupuncture are typically the leads. In the frozen stage, all four often combine. We assess your stage and pattern on the first visit and recommend the right combination — no upselling.

What does chiropractic for frozen shoulder cost in Naperville?

The first visit is free with our Pain Relief Special. After that, treatment plan pricing is walked through transparently. Many insurance plans cover chiropractic visits, though coverage varies — some cover a set number of visits per year, others require specific diagnosis codes. We verify your chiropractic benefits before treatment begins so there are no billing surprises. We also offer affordable self-pay options for patients without coverage.

How quickly will I feel improvement?

Most patients we see at our Naperville clinic begin to notice change within the first 3 to 5 sessions — typically reduced night pain, improved cervical/thoracic mobility, or better sleep. Range-of-motion improvements lag pain improvements; visible ROM gains typically arrive in weeks 3 to 4 and continue through the full course. Patients in the freezing stage often see pain improvements first; patients in the frozen stage often see ROM improvements first. If you’ve been in the frozen stage for many months and the capsule is heavily fibrotic, results take longer than they would for a patient caught earlier.

What does a first visit at Synergy Institute look like for chiropractic evaluation?

The first visit at our Naperville clinic is a complimentary consultation through the Pain Relief Special. We start with a thorough history, then a hands-on exam: posture and scapular position, active and passive range of motion, capsular pattern testing, resisted strength testing, and careful cervical and thoracic exam to identify the kinetic-chain restrictions almost universally present in frozen shoulder. We screen for any contraindications (active fracture, severe osteoporosis, recent surgery, cervical instability). By the end of the visit you’ll have a clear stage-specific diagnosis, an honest assessment of whether chiropractic (alone or as part of a multi-modality protocol) is the right approach, recommended session frequency, and transparent pricing.

---

References

1. Murphy FX, Hall MW, D’Amico L, Jensen AM. Chiropractic management of frozen shoulder syndrome using a novel technique: a retrospective case series of 50 patients. J Chiropr Med. 2012;11(4):267-272. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/PMC3706702/
2. Brantingham JW, Cassa TK, Bonnefin D, et al. Manipulative therapy for shoulder pain and disorders: expansion of a systematic review. J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 2011;34(5):314-346. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21640254/
3. Kelley MJ, Shaffer MA, Kuhn JE, et al. Shoulder Pain and Mobility Deficits: Adhesive Capsulitis. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 2013;43(5):A1-A31. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23636125/
4. Mertens MG, Meert L, Struyf F, Schwank A, Meeus M. Exercise Therapy is Effective for Improvement in Range of Motion, Function, and Pain in Patients With Frozen Shoulder: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 2022;103(5):998-1012. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34425089/
5. Zreik NH, Malik RA, Charalambous CP. Adhesive capsulitis of the shoulder and diabetes: a meta-analysis of prevalence. Muscles Ligaments Tendons J. 2016;6(1):26-34. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27331029/
6. Le HV, Lee SJ, Nazarian A, Rodriguez EK. Adhesive capsulitis of the shoulder: review of pathophysiology and current clinical treatments. Shoulder Elbow. 2017;9(2):75-84. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28405218/
7. Cleland J, Selleck B, Stowell T, et al. Short-term effects of thoracic manipulation on lower trapezius muscle strength. J Man Manip Ther. 2004;12(2):82-90.
8. Mintken PE, Cleland JA, Carpenter KJ, Bieniek ML, Keirns M, Whitman JM. Some factors predict successful short-term outcomes in individuals with shoulder pain receiving cervicothoracic manipulation: a single-arm trial. Phys Ther. 2010;90(1):26-42. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19926679/
9. Calvo-Lobo C, Pacheco-da-Costa S, Martínez-Martínez J, et al. Dry Needling on the Infraspinatus Latent and Active Myofascial Trigger Points in Older Adults With Nonspecific Shoulder Pain: A Randomized Clinical Trial. J Geriatr Phys Ther. 2018;41(1):1-13. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27680884/
10. Cyriax J. Textbook of Orthopaedic Medicine, Volume 1: Diagnosis of Soft Tissue Lesions. 8th ed. Bailliere Tindall; 1982.

---

Reviewed by Dr. Jennifer Wise, DC, Acupuncturist — May 2026

Medical Disclaimer: This article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice or replace professional evaluation. Chiropractic care is appropriate for many but not all frozen shoulder presentations, and individual response varies. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider for diagnosis and treatment of your specific condition.