Impingement Sydrome vs. Frozen Shoulder


What is the difference between Impingement Syndrome and Frozen Shoulder?


Impingement Syndrome and Frozen Shoulder are very similar. They both effect the shoulder joint but there are some differences.  Lets look at both and see what the differences are and you and chiropractic can do about them.

  • Impingement Syndrome (I.S.): We become more at risk for shoulder can happen as we get older because we become tighter and less mobile.  This condition can sometimes become a problem after bouts of shoulder bursitis or rotator cuff tendonitis.  Injuries to the shoulder inflame the tissues and can cause long term damage.  The rotator cuff muscles become tight and do not function properly leading to decreased movement of the shoulder.

  • What are the Symptoms? Difficulty lifting a straight arm over your head or behind your back.  There can be tightness, pain and tenderness on the shoulder area. If this problem is not taken care of, chronic muscle tightness and atrophy can pull or rupture the bicep muscle or tendon limiting ability to bend the arm and elbow as well.

What can be done for Impingement Syndrome?

1. Stretching exercises
2. Proper alignment of the shoulder in the joint space
3. Muscle and tissue loosening with massage or sastm (a Graston Technique)
4. Cold Laser can also be used to stimulate the area, take down inflammation and help decrease pain.

What is a frozen shoulder (Adhesive Capsulitis)? 


Frozen Shoulder is similar to Impingement syndrome but the capsule of the arm is affected with loss of movement in all directions (over the head, to the side, backwards).  It happens during active motion (patient does it) or when the doctor moves it and the patient is relaxing the arm.

What causes a frozen shoulder? 


Repetitive movements or injury to the shoulder which causes inflammation, scarring, thickening, and shrinkage of the shoulder's  joint capsule which surrounds the shoulder joint and keeps muscles and tissues in place. If you are diabetic, have chronic Rheumatoid Arthritis or have recently had chest or breast surgery you are at a higher risk of getting Frozen Shoulder.  Also, long term non-movement of the arm in its normal range of motion can develop frozen shoulder.

How do we know you have frozen shoulder? 


During examination we will move your arm and see where its limitations are.  Orthopedic tests will be administered to test strength and neurological testing will be performed. If necessary, an x-ray with contrast dye injected (Arthography) into the shoulder joint can show problems with the capsule.   Also an MRI can be taken to see soft tissue damage. In order to help with this problem, proper stretching of the arm and rehabilitation is required.  Stretches must be done everyday to keep good blood flow, movement and mobility.  Here is the bad news....once you have frozen shoulder or impingement syndrome, you have to keep stretching.  It can and will come back. Both of these problems need a lot of time for rehabilitation.  It can sometimes take be 6-8 months to get back to full function.  

Be patient, it will happen, just a lot of hard work to get you back in the swing of things again. It can be tricky but in either case, our San Francisco, CA and San Carlos, CA Chiropractic office can help.

Location

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Precise Moves Chiropractic San Francisco

Address

3150 18th Street, Suite 334
San Francisco, CA 94110, United States

Contact Information (415) 583-4221

24 hour Scheduling makes it easy!

(Hours may change due to doctor availability)

Hours in the mission district, San Francisco

Monday

8-12pm

Tuesday

Closed

Wednesday

3-6PM

Thursday

8-12PM

Friday

3-8PM

Saturday

8:00 am - 12:00 pm

Sunday

Closed

Hours in the mission district, San Francisco

Monday
8-12pm
Tuesday
Closed
Wednesday
3-6PM
Thursday
8-12PM
Friday
3-8PM
Saturday
8:00 am - 12:00 pm
Sunday
Closed