Frozen Shoulder: A RAPID Perspective for RAPID Therapists

Frozen shoulder (adhesive capsulitis) is one of those conditions that frustrates both clients and therapists. You already know from your RAPID training that pain is rarely “just mechanical”—and frozen shoulder is a perfect example of this. 

What’s Really Going On

Research shows frozen shoulder isn’t only stiffness—it’s both inflammatory and fibrotic:

• In the early (painful) stage, immune cells drive inflammation and make nerves hypersensitive.

• Over time, fibroblasts build extra scar tissue around the capsule, creating that “frozen” block.

• Nerves are heavily involved, which explains the deep, persistent pain.

This is why the condition lasts so long and feels so stubborn. 

Where RAPID Fits

As a RAPID therapist, you already have tools that directly address these systems:

• Neuroimmune Modulation: Your periosteal and fascial work calms irritated nociceptors and reduces inflammation-driven sensitivity.

• ANS Regulation: RAPID’s movement-coupled contacts and precise inputs help shift clients out of fight-or-flight, reducing guarding.

• Targeting Sensitive Tissues: You know how to access periosteum and capsular interfaces—exactly where frozen shoulder pathology lives.

Think of RAPID not as “fixing the capsule” but as creating a window of opportunity: less pain, less tone, more mobility. That window is when you (or your clients, if you assign movement homework) can reinforce gains with graded activity. 

Bottom Line...

Frozen shoulder is an evolving condition with both inflammation and fibrosis. As a RAPID-trained therapist, you’re uniquely positioned to address the pain systems that drive it. Use your tools to calm irritation, reset the system, and open the door for real progress. This blog originated as a RAPID Newsletter...want more content like this delivered to your inbox? Join our mailing list! Join Our List!