A dhesive capsulitis, referred to in lay terms as the "frozen shoulder," is a common pathology in patients referred for physical therapy treatment. Adhesive capsulitis has been characterized as having a thickening of the synovial capsule, adhesions within lthe s u b acromial or subdeltoid bursa, adhesions to the biceps tendon, and/or obliteration of the axillary fold secondary to adhesions (1,11.24,28,30, 31,37,41,42).The etiology of adhesive capsulitis remains unclear. Trauma, autoimmune disorders, cervical dysfunction, tendinitis, bursitis, and hormonal changes have all been proposed as possible precipitating factors (18,21,24,31,41). The onset may be reported as insidious, with pain accompanying shoulder movements. The patient may report lack of arm use secondary to fear of increasing pain. Loss of functional m e tion at the shoulder may progress for months as the patient waits for syrnp toms to spontaneously resolve.One of the most discussed causes of adhesive capsulitis is initiation of the process by tendinitis in the rotator cuff. During the stage of acute tendinitis, the synovial membrane develops increased vascularity and hypertrophy. T h i s can result in adherence and obliteration of the inferior hanging axillaly fold," as described by Neviaser (31 extremity, 2) pain diffusely located Clinical evaluation of patients around the shoulder, but most promwith adhesive capsulitis reveals the inently near the deltoid insertion,
