Background: With an incidence of 3% to 5% in the general population and up to 20% in people with diabetes, adhesive capsulitis represents one of the most common, self-limiting disorders of the musculoskeletal system. 30 to 50% of patients diagnosed with adhesive capsulitis.

Long term effects of glenohumeral joint thrust manipulation on range of motion, pain, and function in patients with adhesive capsulitis were studied.

Methodology: Thirty patients underwent by thrust manipulation of the glenohumeral joint. Changes in range of motion and pain were assessed before manipulation and immediately after manipulation at early follow-up (4 weeks), and at long term follow-up (8 weeks).

Result: Passive range of motion increased significantly for flexion, abduction, external rotation, and internal rotation. Significant decreases in visual analog pain scores between initial evaluation and the follow-up assessments also occurred. Wolfgang’s criteria score increased significantly between initial evaluation and follow-up assessments.

Conclusion: Thrust manipulation appears to be an effective treatment modality for decreasing pain, increasing ROM, and improving function for those who suffer from adhesive capsulitis acutely and long term and should be considered by those practitioners skilled in joint manipulation.