What Is Frozen Shoulder?
You may have heard of someone with a frozen shoulder but do you know what it is or what can be done about it? Firstly its medical name is adhesive capsulitis and it really refers to a tightening and thickening within the joint capsule of the shoulder.
It is typically associated with an increase in pain, increased stiffness and a loss of range of movement within the shoulder. The onset of pain can be gradual or appear more sudden without trauma or injury to the area.
Causes Of Frozen Shoulder
The cause is poorly understood. There are some risk factors linked to frozen shoulder such as diabetes, previous shoulder injury, Parkinson’s disease and stroke amongst others and it is more prevalent in females in the 40-60 years age bracket.
Stages
Frozen shoulder appears to follow 3 distinct stages of varying symptoms:
Freezing: the onset of pain worsens and affects the range of movement into the shoulder. This stage can last for several months.
Frozen: this stage sees the shoulder starting to freeze with persistent loss of range of movement. Pain can subside, but again, it can last for several months.
Thawing: an improvement in range of movement occurs at this stage with symptoms gradually returning to normal.
Physiotherapy
A thorough assessment by a physio will confirm the diagnosis of frozen shoulder, as there are other shoulder problems that have similar symptoms. A proper diagnosis is key as it will guide what the most effective treatment will be.
Once a diagnosis is made, manual therapy is commenced immediately to stretch the joint capsule and release the tight muscles and tendons around the shoulder in order to take pressure off the joint. In addition to manual therapy, treatments such as ultrasound and acupuncture will help to reduce the pain associated with frozen shoulder, which is often at its worst at night. A bespoke home exercise programme specific to your requirements will be also be implemented to improve and maintain range of movement and function in the shoulder.
The sooner this process gets started, the quicker that you will progress through the stages in frozen shoulder. Every case of frozen shoulder needs to move through each phase but the time spent in each stage will be reduced significantly if it is treated correctly. In most cases, a full recovery will be made.
Tips To Help Your Frozen Shoulder
Avoid prolonged immobility after surgery or injury.
Keep the shoulder moving as tolerated. Resting completely will not help.
Seek physiotherapy or medical help with any insidious loss of range of movement or severe pain into the shoulder.
Use heat for pain relief.
Avoid pushing the shoulder into sharp pain or very painful ranges of movement.
For much more detailed information and to receive stretches that will help your shoulder, download the ebook below.
FREE Physio E-Book - 8 Top Tips for Frozen Shoulder
Here, you'll find our top 8 tips on reducing shoulder pain and regaining movement in your shoulder. Our FREE e-book will help you to:
Understand what frozen shoulder is
Relax the muscles and increase movement in the shoulder
Stretch your shoulder safely and effectively
Make small changes in your life to support your shoulders
Reduce your frozen shoulder pain in the quickest way
Even if you’ve suffered for months and thought nothing could be done, our tips will help you to treat your frozen shoulder and regain your shoulder function in the fastest way possible.