Dry Needling Added to Conservative Care in a Patient With Freezing to Frozen Presentation of Adhesive Capsulitis: A Case Report

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Current evidence supports conservative care in addressing pain, range of motion (ROM), and function for individuals with adhesive capsulitis (AC). Evidence examining the effect of dry needling (DN) is limited. The purpose of this case study was to describe the effects of DN for a patient with AC in the freezing to frozen stage with worsening pain and function. CASE PRESENTATION: A 49-year-old female physical therapist with history of left shoulder pain and subsequent progressive ROM loss in all planes over the last 8 months despite self-management efforts. OUTCOME AND FOLLOW-UP: Dry needling had an immediate positive effect, and continued improvement was noted over the 5 treatment sessions. Clinically meaningful improvements in pain, ROM, and function were maintained at the final treatment session and at a follow-up session. DISCUSSION: Steroid injection was avoided, and the patient with stage 2–3 AC experienced improved pain, motion, and function with the addition of DN to physical therapy management. JOSPT Cases 2023;3(1):29–36. Epub: 4 November 2022. doi:10.2519/josptcases.2022.11381