Other joints of the body can also lose their normal motion and position including the shoulder. In some cases Chiropractic techniques when applied, can improve range of motion and reduce painful inflammation on certain causes of a painful shoulder. 

Might I have a 'frozen shoulder'?

Frozen shoulder (adhesive capsulitis) is a complex condition defined as 'A condition of uncertain aetiology causing significant restriction of passive and active movement in the absence of obvious shoulder pathology'. Francis Cuomo 2001.Therefore a frozen shoulder can only be diagnosed when other causes of shoulder restriction have been ruled out. Causes of shoulder restriction include:

• Secondary capsulitis
• Trauma
• impingement

A stiff painful shoulder requires a careful assessment to exclude the above conditions. If you have a frozen shoulder the stage that you are at either, freezing, frozen, or thawing will determine how you are managed as the different stages have differing managements,ranging from mobilisation, electrotherapy, steroid injections or referral for orthopaedic assessment.

Here are 2 good exercises you can try:

(These exercises should be undertaken with the agreement of your health professional).

1. Climbing the wall
Put your hand flat on a wall in front of you. Use your fingers to "climb" up the wall (like a "spider"). As you move your fingers up little by little, stop and hold your hand in place for 30 seconds every few inches. Move your fingers up the wall as high as you can reach. Keep trying to go higher.
2. Codman exercise
Sit sideways in a straight chair. Rest your armpit on the back of the chair. Now swing your arm slowly in circles. Make little circles at first and then make bigger circles. Make the circles in both directions. 

Perform these exercises once or twice a day even after your shoulder gets better. Don't forget to exercise your healthy shoulder too so that you can maintain the movement that you have in that shoulder.
Many people who have adhesive capsulitis get full use of their shoulder back. Others may always have a little stiffness and pain in that shoulder. This stiffness is usually not very bad. You should be able to do all the activities you did before you had adhesive capsulitis.