Frozen Shoulder

What is it?

Frozen shoulder or “Adhesive Capsulitis” is a painful condition that affects the shoulder joint capsule (a soft tissue sac that encases the shoulder joint). Ultimately causing pain and reducing the shoulders range of movement, in some cases frozen shoulder can prevent shoulder movement completely.

What are the symptoms?

The symptoms of frozen shoulder can generally be categorized into three separate stages.

Stage 1: You may begin to feel an ache in your shoulder, and then your shoulder may begin to feel increasingly stiff. Your shoulder may then begin to feel very painful to move during the day or at night when sleeping on it. This phase can last between 2-9 months.

Stage 2: In this stage your shoulder becomes even stiffer as if it were “frozen”. Due to lack of use your shoulder muscles may begin to waste and become weaker. This stage can last between 4-12 months.

Stage 3: This is the recovery stage. During this stage the range of movement in your shoulder will begin to improve, pain will also reduce although pain may continue to re-occur as the stiffness continues to ease. This stage can last between 5 months and several years.

What is the prevalence?

Most people who contract frozen shoulder are between 40 - 60 years of age. It is estimated that 1 in 20 people can get it and it tends to be more common in men than in women.

What is the cause?

The cause for frozen shoulder is unknown although there are potential risk factors that may trigger the condition; these are trauma/surgery, diabetes and general immobility.

Although the exact cause is unknown we do know that the trigger stimulates a thickening and swelling of the shoulder joint capsule causing it to contract, forming scar tissue. This then presents as an extremely painful and stiff shoulder.

How can we help?

Physiotherapy is generally the first option for a patient suffering from a frozen shoulder. Dependent on the stage of your frozen shoulder we can provide many forms of treatments tailored to your needs, in order to increase/maintain your shoulders range of movement, minimize muscle wastage and speed up the healing process. It is important to note that if you see us soon (stage 1) we could catch the condition early and therefore reduce or even prevent the onset of your symptoms.

What types of treatment can we offer?

Exercises and Rehabilitation – To maintain/improve your shoulders range of movement and minimize muscle wastage.

Deep tissue massage – To reduce stiffness, break down overactive and painful areas of muscle.

Manual Mobilization Therapy – To increase joint range of movement and reduce stiffness.

Acupuncture– To initiate a healing response and pain relief.

Ultrasound – To speed up the healing process

Advice and Education– To provide you with coping mechanisms and an understanding of why you have your symptoms.

Consultant and Sports Medicine Referral - We are familiar with a range of expert consultant who we can refer you to if further medical intervention is required.

Any Questions? Please contact us