How Neuromuscular Massage Helps Frozen Shoulder With Top 5 Stretches—Fast Relief at Hadl Clinical Bodywork in Fort Worth
- Nick Hadl
- 3 hours ago
- 4 min read
If you’ve ever tried to reach overhead, put on a shirt, or simply brush your hair—only to be met with pain and stiffness—you might be dealing with frozen shoulder (also known as adhesive capsulitis). This frustrating condition can take months (even years) to fully resolve. But there's good news: neuromuscular massage therapy offers targeted relief by addressing the deep muscle and nerve imbalances behind your pain. At Hadl Clinical Bodywork in Fort Worth, our specialized approach is helping clients move again—faster, safer, and with less pain.
What Is Frozen Shoulder?
Frozen shoulder is a condition where the connective tissue surrounding the shoulder joint becomes thickened and inflamed, severely restricting mobility. It progresses in three stages:
1. Freezing Stage – increasing pain and decreasing range of motion.
2. Frozen Stage – less pain, but extreme stiffness.
3. Thawing Stage – gradual return of movement.
It often follows surgery, injury, or prolonged immobility and is more common in adults over 40—especially women and people with diabetes or thyroid disorders.
Why Neuromuscular Massage Works for Frozen Shoulder
Neuromuscular massage therapy is a specialized manual therapy that targets trigger points and chronic tension in muscles and fascia. It focuses on restoring healthy function by treating the root causes of pain:
Nerve impingements
Muscle compensation
Myofascial adhesions
Postural imbalances
At Hadl Clinical Bodywork in Fort Worth, our therapists use this technique to restore shoulder mobility by addressing muscular dysfunction around the joint—not just the symptoms.
5 Ways Neuromuscular Massage Helps Frozen Shoulder
1. Releases Muscle Guarding Around the Shoulder
When pain develops, surrounding muscles (like the deltoids, pecs, traps, and rotator cuff) begin to overcompensate and lock down. Neuromuscular therapy locates and deactivates specific trigger points that cause these muscles to stay tight, helping restore normal joint movement.
2. Improves Blood Flow to Damaged Tissue
Poor circulation is one reason frozen shoulder takes so long to heal. Massage helps break down adhesions and stimulates blood flow to the shoulder capsule and surrounding muscles, promoting faster healing.
3. Restores Muscle Length and Balance
When one group of muscles tightens, others weaken. This imbalance pulls the shoulder into a restricted position. Neuromuscular work addresses both tightness and weakness, helping restore balanced, pain-free movement.
4. Reduces Pain by Calming the Nervous System
Chronic pain can keep your nervous system in “fight or flight” mode. Targeted massage therapy helps regulate the nervous system and reduce hypersensitivity, lowering your overall pain levels.
5. Helps Break the Cycle of Immobility
Frozen shoulder often gets worse because people stop moving the joint. Massage therapy helps reduce pain enough to tolerate gentle movement again—which is key to recovery.
5 At-Home Stretches & Exercises for Frozen Shoulder
To speed up your progress between sessions, try these therapist-approved exercises. Always move gently and stop if you feel sharp pain.
1. Pendulum Swing
Lean forward and let your affected arm hang straight down.
Gently swing the arm in small circles or side to side.
Do this for 1–2 minutes daily to increase mobility.
Why it works: It decompresses the shoulder joint without force, making it great in the early stages.
2. Towel Stretch
Grab a towel behind your back with both hands.
Use your good arm to gently pull the affected arm upward behind your back.
Hold for 20–30 seconds. Repeat 5 times.
Why it works: It gently stretches the shoulder capsule and encourages internal rotation.
3. Wall Walk
Stand facing a wall.
Use your fingers to “walk” your affected arm up the wall slowly.
Stop when you feel tension (not pain). Hold for 5 seconds, then walk back down. Repeat 10 times.
Why it works: Helps safely increase shoulder elevation.
4. Crossover Arm Stretch
Bring the affected arm across your body.
Use the other arm to gently pull it closer to your chest.
Hold for 30 seconds, repeat 3–5 times.
Why it works: Targets tight rear shoulder and upper back muscles, improving horizontal mobility.
5. Sleeper Stretch
Lie on your affected side with the elbow bent at 90 degrees.
Use the other hand to gently press the forearm down toward the floor.
Hold for 30 seconds, release, and repeat 3 times.
Why it works: Focuses on internal rotation—often one of the most limited motions in frozen shoulder.
Why Choose Hadl Clinical Bodywork in Fort Worth?
At Hadl Clinical Bodywork, we specialize in neuromuscular therapy that delivers results. We’re not here to “fluff and buff”—we use evidence-based techniques to restore function and reduce pain. Our Fort Worth clients love the combination of personalized care, deep anatomical knowledge, and a holistic view of healing.
Final Thoughts: Start Healing Your Frozen Shoulder Now
Frozen shoulder doesn’t have to mean months of frustration. With the right combination of neuromuscular massage therapy and targeted at-home exercises, you can speed up your healing process—and get back to living pain-free.
Ready to restore your shoulder mobility?
Book your neuromuscular therapy session at Hadl Clinical Bodywork in Fort Worth today.
Just click the book now button on our home page.