Condition Pain Condition Benchmarked

Frozen Shoulder (Adhesive Capsulitis)

Progressive loss of shoulder ROM with pain, following a freezing-frozen-thawing pattern. Assessment targets active and passive ROM loss, capsular pattern identification, and functional limitation severity.

Clinical note: Frozen shoulder is self-limiting but prolonged. Aggressive stretching during the freezing phase increases pain without accelerating recovery. Match intervention intensity to the phase.
6
ROM Tests
4
Corrective Priorities
4
Risk Factors
4
Red Flags

Key ROM Tests

1 Shoulder Internal Rotation
2 Shoulder Flexion
3 Shoulder Horizontal Abduction
4 Shoulder External Rotation
5 Thoracic Extension
6 Scapular Position

Risk Factors Assessed

Shoulder Internal Rotation
Shoulder Flexion
Shoulder Horizontal Abduction
Shoulder External Rotation

Expected Timeline

Freezing phase 2-9 months, frozen phase 4-12 months, thawing phase 5-24 months. Total recovery typically 12-36 months.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can frozen shoulder (adhesive capsulitis) be corrected with exercise?
Typical improvement timeline is Freezing phase 2-9 months, frozen phase 4-12 months, thawing phase 5-24 months. Total recovery typically 12-36 months.. The protocol includes 4 prioritized corrective interventions and screens for red flags that require medical referral.
What assessments are done for frozen shoulder (adhesive capsulitis)?
The protocol assesses Shoulder Internal Rotation, Shoulder Flexion, Shoulder Horizontal Abduction, Shoulder External Rotation. Each test identifies the specific driver of the condition, guiding the corrective sequence.
Is frozen shoulder (adhesive capsulitis) the same for everyone?
No. The assessment differentiates structural from functional causes and identifies the individual's primary driver. The corrective plan is ordered by priority, with the highest-leverage corrections addressed first.
How do I get started with the Frozen Shoulder (Adhesive Capsulitis) protocol?
Apply for an assessment through AKMI. Your coach will run the Frozen Shoulder (Adhesive Capsulitis) protocol as part of your initial structural evaluation, then build a personalized corrective plan based on the findings.

Get your Frozen Shoulder (Adhesive Capsulitis) assessment

Your coach runs this protocol as part of your structural evaluation, then builds a personalized corrective plan based on the data.

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Protocol Details

Category
Condition
Subcategory
Pain Condition
ROM Tests
6
Corrective Targets
4
Benchmarked
Yes
Red Flag Screens
4
Timeline
Freezing phase 2-9 months, frozen phase 4-12 months, thawing phase 5-24 months. Total recovery typically 12-36 months.
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