Frozen Shoulder, also called adhesive capsulitis, is a condition that makes your shoulder very painful and stiff. It limits how much you can move your shoulder and can make everyday activities really hard, like reaching up or getting dressed.
Myths About Frozen Shoulder
There are some common myths about frozen shoulder that aren't true. Let’s clear them up:
Myth 1: It’s always about the shoulder joint capsule – Not always! Other things, like muscles or even fear of moving, can cause stiffness too.
Myth 2: It takes 12-18 months to get better – It can take longer or shorter, depending on the person.
Myth 3: It always gets better on its own – Most people improve, but not everyone fully recovers without help.
Myth 4: You need lots of stretching – Stretching isn't always the answer. Other treatments can be more helpful.
What Happens in Frozen Shoulder?
In frozen shoulder, the capsule of the shoulder joint becomes inflamed and thickens. The capsule is like a covering around the joint, and when it tightens, it makes moving your shoulder difficult. Blood vessels grow into the capsule, and it fills with cells that cause stiffness and pain.
This condition affects about 2-5% of people, and it’s more common in women between the ages of 35 and 65. It’s also much more common in people with diabetes, with 20% of them experiencing frozen shoulder.
Why Does Frozen Shoulder Happen?
Frozen shoulder can occur for unknown reasons (called primary frozen shoulder) or be triggered by other problems (called secondary frozen shoulder). Secondary frozen shoulder can be caused by:
Health conditions like diabetes or heart disease.
Injuries to the shoulder.
There’s also something called , where a person thinks they have frozen shoulder, but when they are under anesthesia, they have no loss of motion. This can be caused by fear, anxiety, or stress that makes the person afraid to move their shoulder.
What Does Frozen Shoulder Feel Like?
The main symptoms of frozen shoulder are severe pain and a loss of movement in the shoulder. People with frozen shoulder often find that their shoulder becomes stiff and hard to move in all directions. The pain can be so bad that it interrupts sleep or makes even small movements really uncomfortable.
Frozen shoulder usually happens in three phases:
Freezing Phase: Pain is the main problem, especially at night. Moving your shoulder becomes more painful, and this phase can last anywhere from 2 to 9 months.
Frozen Phase: Pain starts to decrease, but stiffness gets worse. You lose more movement in your shoulder. This phase can last from 4 to 12 months.
Thawing Phase: The shoulder slowly starts to get better. You gain back movement, but it can take anywhere from 5 to 24 months.
What Tests Are Done for Frozen Shoulder?
To check if someone has frozen shoulder, doctors will test how much you can move your shoulder by having you do different movements. They’ll compare how much active movement (how much you can move on your own) and passive movement (how much they can move your shoulder for you) you have. If both are limited, frozen shoulder could be the cause.
Doctors will also check your neck, back, and ribs to see if other parts of your body are affecting your shoulder. They might do an X-ray to make sure there’s nothing wrong with your bones, but in some cases, you might need an MRI.
How is Frozen Shoulder Treated?
Treating frozen shoulder can be tricky because every case is different. Here are some ways doctors might help:
Exercise: Gentle exercises to improve movement and strengthen the shoulder.
Exposure Therapy: Gradually moving the shoulder to reduce fear and build confidence.
Massage: Sometimes massage can help if the shoulder stiffness is due to fear or stress.
Other treatments: Your doctor might recommend specific treatments based on what’s causing the problem, especially if you have conditions like diabetes.
Stretching too much too soon can make things worse, so it’s important to follow your doctor’s advice. Check out these exercises to start your shoulder rehab journey:
GETTING MOVING:
ADDING FUNCTION
PERFORMANCE BASED EXERCISES :
How Long Does Frozen Shoulder Last?
Frozen shoulder can last a long time—anywhere from 12 months to 42 months. In rare cases, it can last even longer, up to 7 years. Most people don’t need surgery, but it’s important to stay active and not just wait for it to get better on its own.
Frozen shoulder can be challenging and painful, but recovery is possible with the right support. A tailored plan from a physiotherapist or exercise physiologist can make a significant difference in managing pain and regaining mobility.
At MOVE Sports Physio, we offer assessments and customized treatment plans to help you start strong and stay on track. Joseph is passionate about treating shoulders and will help move you forward out of pain and back into life !
For any questions or concerns about frozen shoulder, feel free to reach out to Joseph directly at joseph@movesportsphysio.com.au or contact us at info@movesportsphysio.com.au.
At MOVE, we’re here to help empower you to move better and feel stronger by providing expert care, clear plans, and empowering support to achieve more than you thought possible.!