Effective Treatment of Adhesive Capsulitis Utilizing Soft Tissue and Joint Manipulation – A Case Study

Background and Purpose: Adhesive capsulitis is a common condition, but outcomes have been mixed. It is possible that Physical Therapy can be an effective intervention.

Case Description: This case study details a demographically typical patient with adhesive capsulitis who experienced full recovery with Physical Therapy.

Outcomes: External rotation improved from 45 to 95 degrees in 8 weeks, pain decreased from 8/10 to 0/10, and the patient made a full recovery of ADLs.

Discussion: Unique to this case were three aspects. First, joint mobilization, either through manual therapy or dynamic mobilization, was directed towards placing the head of the humerus into the center of the glenoid cavity. Second, soft tissue manipulation freed tight tissues, reducing pull on the humeral head, enhancing the joint mobilization. Finally, microcurrent injury detection was used to direct treatment and modalities toward injured areas. This case suggests that directed joint mobilization combined with soft tissue mobilization and guided modalities through microcurrent injury detection can be a useful protocol for treatment of adhesive capsulitis.