Shoulder Pain Relief in Austin
Frozen Shoulder (Adhesive Capsulitis)
Whether your shoulder feels “frozen” with no obvious cause or you’ve been diagnosed by a medical professional, many clients do well with a steady, gentle plan using the John F. Barnes Approach® to Myofascial Release (MFR). The aim: calm guarding, restore glide, and expand pain-free range - without forcing.
Stubbon symptoms?
Dull, persistent ache - often worse early on and at night
Stiffness with reduced active and passive range, especially external rotation
Everyday moves feel impossible: reaching overhead, fastening a bra, buckling a seatbelt
Why this, why now?
Short version: sticky capsule + bracing. Longer version: a whole-body protection pattern we can unwind gently - at your pace. If it resonates, notice where life feels a touch “tight,” too.
What’s happening?
Your shoulder is wrapped in a flexible sleeve (the joint capsule). That sleeve gets irritated inflammed, thick, and sticky - like plastic wrap stuck to itself. The joint’s natural lubrication can drop, so movement feels dry instead of smooth.
Result: the ball can’t roll and slide well, reaching can pinch tissues under the shoulder’s “roof,” nearby fascia and muscles guard, and the body compensates with the neck, upper back, and shoulder blade - often adding soreness there.
How JFB - MFR® can help Frozen Shoulder
By treating the capsule and the connected fascia - rotator cuff, pectorals (minor/major), latissimus dorsi, subscapularis, upper thoracic/rib regions - because they work as a system. Sessions focus on:
Gentle, sustained MFR to release densified fascia (anterior shoulder/rotator interval, posterior capsule, subscapularis, chest wall)
Nervous-system down-regulation (your body can’t release what it’s bracing against)
Layer-by-layer glide restoration so motion returns naturally - no forcing into pain
Effective care balances local joint mechanics with whole-body patterns that have adapted over time - so you can get back to the activities you love.
Soothing self treatment tips to begin now
Sleep setup: Support the affected arm with pillows. Keep a gentle bend at the elbow and the shoulder in a neutral, comfy position. Avoid letting the arm hang.
Sustained self-MFR (3-5 min each spot): Soften onto a ball at the pec pocket (front/inside of the shoulder), posterior shoulder (back of the joint/rotator-cuff area), and mid-back (along the shoulder-blade edge). Let the tissue melt around the edges - no forcing or bracing. Aim for mild–moderate sensation (≤3/10). Stop if pain is sharp, numb, or tingling.
Nervous-system downshift: 5–10 slow breaths with a longer exhale (e.g., inhale 4, exhale 6–8) to quiet guarding before/after self-treatment and before bed.
You’ll receive more personalized tips once we’ve assessed your shoulder in treatment.
Ready to thaw?
At VerveBody Myofascial Release (South Austin), we blend JFB-style MFR, movement education, and a calm therapeutic environment to help you reclaim reach, rotation, and restful sleep - without forcing. Book when you’re ready; we’ll meet your body where it is.
Educational content only; not medical advice. VerveBody does not diagnose or prescribe. We assess your symptoms and fascial restrictions and provide gentle, complementary care; We’re happy to coordinate alongside your healthcare team.
Rotator Cuff Shoulder Pain & Limited Mobility
(Different from Frozen Shoulder)
Shoulder (rotator cuff) pain can appear with or without a single “uh-oh” moment. Some people wake up with a stubborn ache that won’t quit; others can point to a fall, a lift, or sports. Whatever the cause, JFB Myofascial Release calms guarding, restores glide, and expands pain-free range - helping you move freely and sleep deeply.
Unexplained
More Obvious Reason (injury-related)
Falls (biking, skiing, missed step) → sprains, tears, or dislocation
Sports (especially overhead/throwing) → overuse, tendon irritation, bracing patterns
Everyday lifts (purse from back seat, suitcase to overhead bin) → sudden tweak
Shoulder or breast surgery → deeper scar-tissue restrictions and protective bracing across the chest/shoulder and upper ribs that limit glide
Less Obvious Reason (“mysterious”)
Life adds up - lifting kids or groceries, long hours at a desk, repetitive reaching, stress-driven bracing. Over time, the shoulder’s support system (pecs, lats, subscapularis, posterior cuff, upper ribs/upper back) tightens, the shoulder blade can tip forward, and the tendons get compressed and irritated. Sleep gets cranky, and pinching starts.
“Being treated by Courtney is finally moving the needle on my chronically tight and restricted rotator cuff made worse after a fall on the ski slopes. I had pain getting dressed and sleeping and as a football coach, not having full mobility makes everything harder. In our first session, I could really feel space being created in my shoulder, and after a few sessions, it’s moving and feeling way better. It’s reassuring to see results from an issue that stretching and strengthening alone weren’t fixing. MFR is making a real difference and I’m sleeping pain free! I also appreciate the exercises and techniques she provided to incorporate at home.”
-Brandon
How Myofascial Release relieves shoulder pain (JFB Approach®)
Rotator-cuff pain isn’t just a “tendon thing.” It’s a system thing -fascia, breath, nervous system, and the way your shoulder blade and arm move together. With the John F. Barnes Approach® to Myofascial Release, we use slow, sustained, never-forced pressure to invite the tissue to soften (“melt”), the system to downshift, and your shoulder to glide again.
What we do (and why it works):
Create space around the cuff - Gentle holds in the pec pocket, subscapularis, posterior cuff, chest/upper-rib fascia let the shoulder blade settle where it belongs, so tendons have room to breathe and move.
Restore glide + hydration - Staying long enough for the tissue to respond helps the fascia re-hydrate and slide instead of grab. We follow your body, not the clock.
Quiet the brace reflex - Your body can’t release what it’s guarding. We down-regulate the nervous system so protection eases and motion returns layer by layer.
Re-sync the rhythm - As restrictions clear, scapula + humerus start moving together again. Reaching feels smoother, stronger, and less pinchy.
Blend with strength (when ready) - Freed-up fascia makes light activation “stick.” JFB-style MFR pairs beautifully with graded rotator-cuff/scapular work; we’re happy to coordinate with your PT or trainer.
Self-care you can start now
Ball releases (3-5 min each): Pec pocket, posterior shoulder, mid-back along the shoulder-blade edge. Mild–moderate sensation only (≤3/10).
Break free from shoulder pain and stiffness. Restore glide, calm guarding, prevent flare-ups, and return to everyday movement with confidence
Educational content only; not medical advice. VerveBody does not diagnose or prescribe. We assess your symptoms and fascial restrictions and provide gentle, complementary care; We’re happy to coordinate alongside your healthcare team.