Frozen Shoulder

What Is Frozen Shoulder?

Frozen shoulder, medically termed adhesive capsulitis, is a painful condition causing stiffness and restricted movement in the shoulder joint. It often begins with a nagging ache that intensifies, hindering tasks like reaching overhead, dressing, or sleeping on the affected side. The condition evolves through three phases: freezing (worsening pain and stiffness), frozen (persistent stiffness with less pain), and thawing (gradual improvement). At Elite Performance Therapy, we deliver specialized treatments to reduce pain, restore mobility, and enhance daily function for those affected.

What Triggers Frozen Shoulder?

Frozen shoulder arises when the shoulder joint capsule thickens and develops adhesions, limiting its range of motion. While the exact cause is often uncertain, several factors increase susceptibility:

• Injury or Immobility: Shoulder injuries, such as rotator cuff tears or fractures, or prolonged immobility post-surgery or illness can initiate capsule tightening.
• Systemic Conditions: Diabetes significantly elevates risk, affecting 10–20% of diabetic individuals, alongside thyroid disorders and cardiovascular disease.
• Age and Gender: Women aged 40–60 are most commonly affected.
• Repetitive Strain: Overuse from repetitive shoulder activities may lead to inflammation and stiffness.
• Autoimmune Responses: In some cases, the immune system may target the shoulder capsule, causing adhesions.
• Poor Posture: Chronic slouching or forward head posture can strain shoulder mechanics.

Typically affecting one shoulder, the condition may rarely occur bilaterally. Identifying these triggers enables us to create effective, individualised treatment plans.

Initial Steps for Relief

Early intervention can help manage frozen shoulder symptoms and prevent further stiffness. Self-care strategies include:

• Gentle Stretching: Perform pain-free shoulder movements, like pendulum swings, to preserve mobility.
• Heat Application: Apply a warm compress for 15 minutes to relax muscles and boost circulation.
• Pain Relief: Over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications like ibuprofen can ease discomfort (consult a doctor for extended use).
• Activity Modification: Avoid aggravating movements, such as heavy lifting or overhead reaching.

Treatment Approaches

At Elite Performance Therapy, we can develop personalised treatment plans to address frozen shoulder, focusing on pain relief, mobility restoration, and functional recovery. While recovery may be gradual, our therapies accelerate progress and improve comfort. Treatment approaches include:

• Sports Massage: Sports massage is highly effective for frozen shoulder, relieving muscle tension and pain in the shoulder, neck, and upper back, which can exacerbate stiffness and discomfort.
• Soft Tissue Therapy: Targeted massage techniques reduce adhesions, relax surrounding muscles, and enhance blood flow to the shoulder joint.

• Medical Acupuncture (Dry Needling): Applied to specific points around the shoulder and neck, acupuncture reduces pain and muscle tightness, supporting mobility improvements.
• Mobility and Strengthening Exercises: Guided exercises, such as wall walks or gentle resistance training, improve range of motion and strengthen supporting muscles, tailored to the patient’s recovery phase.

For patients with secondary issues, such as neck stiffness or compensatory posture problems, we would also address these to promote recovery. Low-impact activities like walking or gentle yoga may be recommended to maintain fitness without aggravating the shoulder. In rare cases, such as severe, unresponsive frozen shoulder, referral to a specialist for further medical management may be advised.

Preventing Recurrence

Preventing frozen shoulder in the unaffected shoulder or future episodes requires proactive care:

• Regular Exercise: Shoulder-specific mobility and strengthening exercises to maintain joint flexibility.
• Postural Correction: Addressing slouched posture or forward head position to reduce shoulder strain.
• Health Management: For diabetic patients, controlling blood sugar levels to lower risk.
• Stress Reduction: Mindfulness or relaxation techniques to minimize muscle tension.
• Prompt Action: Seeking early treatment for shoulder pain or stiffness to prevent progression.

Key Pointers

• Frozen shoulder causes significant pain and stiffness, often linked to immobility, injury, or conditions like diabetes.
• It progresses through freezing, frozen, and thawing phases, impacting daily activities.
• Sports therapy, including sports massage, soft tissue therapy, and acupuncture, effectively reduces pain and restores mobility.
• Preventive measures like exercise and postural correction minimize recurrence risk.

At Elite Performance Therapy we provide personalised care to help you regain shoulder function and confidence! Want to know more or take advantage of our complimentary initial chat ?  🙂 Contact us to schedule an appointment and start your journey to a pain-free shoulder.