True frozen shoulder syndrome is associated with generalized severe pain in the muscles around the shoulder joint and almost complete restriction of movement of the arm. This condition is uncommon. It is referred to as adhesive capsulitis where adhesions form within the shoulder capsule with the head of the humerus bonding with the surface structure of the glenoid fossa. According to Chaitow and DeLany[1] capsulitis may follow bursitis or tendonitis or it may relate to chronic pulmonary disease, myocardial infarction or diabetes mellitus.
The more common causes of shoulder pain and restriction (often called frozen shoulder) are issues with the rotator cuff muscles. These muscles include suprasprinatus, infrasprinatus, teres minor and subscapularis. Suprasprinatus tendonitis is a common cause of shoulder pain and restriction and in about a third of case relates to injury or trauma to the area but in other cases it is unexplained.
Severe pain is often treated with injections of corticosteroids. Often these treatments have little or no impact on the condition because the “dis-ease” is not related to inflammation. These muscles must work together and with other muscles which I have mentioned below in order for there to be smooth movement of the arm in all directions. Often, I find on testing these muscles three or more are hypertonic or over facilitated thus restricting proper movement. Other muscles around the shoulder joint can be similarly affected and these include the deltoid muscles, pectoralis major and minor, latissimus dorsi, serratus anterior, upper trapezius, biceps and triceps. What are the emotional and mental elements that may contribute to shoulder pain and dysfunction?
| Muscle | Meridian | Over Facilitation | Under Facilitation |
| Suprasprinatus | Central Vessel | Unwanted thoughts which keep occurring without resolution | Being overwhelmed by our circumstances and being unable to focus |
| Teres Major | Governing Vessel | Over thinking in relation to or over concern about a recurring stressful situation involving another or others | Overwhelmed by my circumstances or situation |
| Infraspinatus | Triple Heater | Over thinking in relation to or over concern about a recurring stressful situation involving another or others | A perceived inability to protect ourselves from another or others or from the consequences of events |
| Teres Minor | Triple Heater | The same as infrasprinatus combined with the over use of our intellect to find a solution to our stressful situation | The same as infrasprinatus combined with a feeling that the stress or situation is insoluble |
| Subscapularis | Heart | A defense against our inner self or spirit being violated or devalued | Feeling that our spirit must be contained within for our survival |
Whilst the mental and emotional patterns expressed above are generalizations, they often form the core of the issues affecting a person with shoulder pain. There are other muscles involved and as a result the emotional and mental patterns associated with these will also be in play. Longstanding shoulder pain and restriction is likely to have had the effect of shortening the muscles so stretching exercises to correct this situation may help prevent reoccurrence of the symptoms.
When pain and restriction occur in the right shoulder region and it is always present even when there is no movement the reason is usually that the person is carrying a burden of some description and cannot find a solution to that problem. When the left shoulder is involved, this seems to relate more to the person knowing how to deal with the problems they are facing but not wanting to take the steps necessary because of some perceived internal lack. The stressor will fall within one or all of the areas set out in the Venn diagram under the heading Why Kinesiology.
With kinesiology frozen shoulders can improve but the process can take quite a few sessions and sometimes seem intractable or “plateau”. This is likely due to either an inability to change one’s circumstances or a reluctance to do so. Bare in mind that there are incidences where frozen shoulders miraculously resolve themselves and that will be associated with a change in a person’s situation as most dis-ease arises out of our environment; physical, emotional, mental or spiritual.
When injury has occurred, the muscles may go into hypertonic state as a means of protection from further movement whilst repair occurs. Sometimes that restriction in movement remains even though a long period has elapsed since the injury or trauma. In these situations, deprogramming the frozen energetic state of the muscles involved using kinesiology techniques can lead to restoration of movement. The extent to which full movement returns will depend on whether the trauma caused damage to tendons and if there has been any atrophy and shortening of the muscles. Any tendon damage may need repairing.
There are other causes of shoulder pain and restriction of movement such a bursitis and tendonitis and arthritic pain. Tendonitis and bursitis may respond to kinesiology if all or part of the cause is muscular imbalance.
[1] Clinical Applications of Neuromuscular Techniques at page 417