Frozen Shoulder is also known as Adhesive Capsulitis or ‘Fifties shoulder’. It causes pain AND stiffness in the shoulder. Typically it makes it difficult to raise your arm to wash your hair and get dressed. It can be very painful including at night.
WHAT:
Frozen Shoulder (FS) is a painful condition affecting the shoulder. It causes stiffness that can be very limiting. Frozen Shoulder can appear without cause, or following trauma, surgery or other health conditions including diabetes.
It usually follows 3 stages:
Phase 1: Freezing. Very painful with increasing stiffness over a period of weeks.
Phase 2: Frozen. Stiff shoulder with stable or reducing pain levels.
Phase 3: Thawing. Movement starts to return. Largely pain free.
SYMPTOMS:
Pain in the shoulder and arm.
Stiffness in the shoulder.
Night pain.
Intense pain on sudden movements.
Some sufferers experience neck and upper back ache or tingling/burning in the forearm.
WHO:
Frozen Shoulder affects around 2-5% of people in their lifetime. It is most common in the 5th and 6th decade of life. FS is more common following shoulder injury and in people with Diabetes and thyroid disorders.
TREATMENT:
Frozen Shoulder usually resolves on its own, but this can take several years. Treatment and self-management can help reduce pain and may speed up the recovery process. We often see good results here at Ashlins.
Treatment may include:Â
- Manual therapy such as Niel-Asher Technique, Osteopathy, Chiropractic, Physiotherapy, Acupuncture, Remedial Massage.
- Heat or Ice Packs. TENS machine, Ultrasound.
- Stretching & rehab
- Pain relief such as paracetamol or prescribed painkillers.
- Hydradilation, steroid injections.
- Surgery such as capsular release and Manipulation under Anaesthetic.
Rest is usually not recommended, or only used for very brief periods.
Looking for help with frozen shoulder or shoulder pain? Our osteopaths can help.
Book an Initial Consultation with Sarah, Antonieta or Nadia today >
📚Reference: https://www.painscience.com/tutorials/frozen-shoulder.php
📚Reference: Millar, N.L., Meakins, A., Struyf, F. et al. Frozen shoulder. Nat Rev Dis Primers 8, 59 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41572-022-00386-2