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Frozen Shoulder: Everything You Need to Know

November 24, 2022

Frozen shoulder is a condition that causes pain and stiffness in the shoulder. It can make it hard to do everyday activities, such as reach up or brush your hair. The condition is also called adhesive capsulitis.

Frozen shoulder occurs when the connective tissue around the shoulder joint becomes stiff and inflamed. This makes it difficult for the tendons and muscles in the area to move freely. The exact cause of frozen shoulder is unknown, but it may be related to an injury or overuse of the arm.


The symptoms of frozen shoulder include pain and stiffness in the affected arm, difficulty moving the arm, and decreased range of motion. These symptoms can come on gradually or suddenly. They typically worsen over time before improving eventually improve on their own after about 12-18 months.

There are several treatment options available for frozen shoulder including physical therapy exercises, corticosteroid injections, surgery . Your doctor will likely recommend conservative treatments first such as icing, resting ,and taking anti-inflammatory medications

Frozen Shoulder

Table of Contents

What is frozen shoulder?

Frozen shoulder is a condition where the shoulder joint becomes stiff and painful. It can make it difficult to move the shoulder and may even make it difficult to sleep on the affected side.


Frozen shoulder is also known as adhesive capsulitis. The shoulder is a ball and socket joint. The ball is the head of the humerus (upper arm bone) and the socket is the glenoid cavity of the scapula (shoulder blade). The joint is held together by a tough, rubbery sleeve called the capsule. The capsule is lined with a thin layer of tissue called the synovium. The synovium produces a small amount of fluid that lubricates the joint.


The shoulder joint is held in place by a group of muscles, tendons, and ligaments. The rotator cuff is a group of muscles and tendons that attach the humerus to the scapula. These muscles and tendons help lift the arm. The biceps muscle attaches the shoulder to the elbow. The triceps muscle attaches the shoulder to the elbow on the other side. Frozen shoulder occurs when the capsule and synovium become thickened and inflamed. This can happen for a variety of reasons, but the exact cause is unknown in
most cases.


Frozen shoulder is more common in women than men and usually occurs between the ages of 40 and 60.
There are three stages of frozen shoulder:
Stage 1: The shoulder is stiff and painful. This stage can last for several weeks to several months.
Stage 2: The shoulder joint begins to loosen up. This stage can last for several months.
Stage 3: The shoulder joint becomes normal again. This stage can last for several months to a year.


Most people with frozen shoulder will eventually get better without treatment. However, the condition can be painful and debilitating. There are several treatment options available to help speed up the recovery process.
Osteopaths can teach you exercises that stretch and strengthen the muscles and ligaments around the shoulder joint. These exercises can help improve range of motion and reduce pain. If physical therapy does not help, your doctor may recommend a corticosteroid injection. This injection is given into the shoulder joint. It can help reduce inflammation and pain. If the pain is severe, your doctor may
recommend surgery.


Surgery is usually only done as a last resort. The goal of surgery is to release the thickened and inflamed capsule around the shoulder joint.
Frozen shoulder is a condition that can be painful and debilitating. However, most people will eventually get better without treatment.
There are several treatment options available to help speed up the recovery process. If you are experiencing pain and stiffness in your shoulder, talk to your doctor.
Key Takeaway: Frozen shoulder is a condition where the shoulder joint becomes stiff and painful. It is more common in women than men and usually occurs between the ages of 40 and 60. Most people with frozen shoulder will eventually get better without treatment.

The Causes of Frozen Shoulder

Frozen shoulder typically comes on gradually and worsens over time. The shoulder may become so stiff that it is difficult to move it. There are a number of possible causes of frozen shoulder.
The most common is age-related wear and tear of the shoulder joint. Other possible causes include injury to the shoulder, surgery on the shoulder, or certain medical conditions such as diabetes.
Treatment for frozen shoulder typically involves a combination of physical therapy and medication. In some cases, surgery may be necessary to release the shoulder joint.

The Symptoms of Frozen Shoulder

The condition is also known as adhesive capsulitis. Frozen shoulder typically affects people between the ages of 40 and 60. The condition is more common in women than men.
Frozen shoulder typically develops slowly. The first symptoms may be mild pain and stiffness in the shoulder.
The pain may worsen over time and the shoulder may become increasingly stiff. The condition may last for several months or longer. Frozen shoulder is a condition that is treated with a combination of physical
therapy, pain medication, and corticosteroid injections. Surgery is rarely needed. The condition is also more common in people with diabetes, thyroid problems, or a history of shoulder injury or surgery.

How Is Frozen Shoulder Diagnosed?

Frozen shoulder is typically diagnosed through a combination of a physical examination and imaging tests, such as X-rays or MRI.

There are three stages of frozen shoulder:

Stage 1: Freezing stage. This stage is characterized by pain and stiffness in the shoulder that gradually worsens.
Stage 2: Frozen stage. This stage is characterized by a decrease in shoulder pain, but the stiffness and loss of motion in the shoulder joint continue to worsen.
Stage 3: Thawing stage. This stage is characterized by a gradual improvement in shoulder range of motion and a decrease in stiffness.

Frozen shoulder is typically diagnosed through a combination of a physical examination and imaging tests, such as X-rays or MRI. Treatment for frozen shoulder typically involves a combination of manual/physical therapy, exercises, and in some cases steroid injections.
In some cases, surgery may be necessary to release the frozen shoulder.

Key Takeaway: Frozen shoulder is a condition characterized by stiffness and pain in the shoulder. It most often affects people between the ages of 40 and 60 and is more common in women than men. The exact cause of frozen shoulder is unknown, but it is believed to be related to an injury or inflammation
of the shoulder capsule. This condition can be managed with manual/physical therapy.

FAQs in Relation to Frozen Shoulder

What is the fastest way to get rid of a frozen shoulder?

The fastest way to get rid of a frozen shoulder is through treatment.

How do you fix a frozen shoulder?

There is no one definitive answer to this question as the best way to fix a frozen shoulder depends on the underlying cause of the condition. However, some common treatments for frozen shoulder include physical therapy, steroid injections, and surgery. Osteopathy/Manual therapy has been demonstrated in
the media to be an effective way of improving shoulder mobility and reducing pain in patients with frozen shoulder.

Can frozen shoulder go away on its own?

There is no definite answer to this question as frozen shoulder can vary greatly from person to person.
Some people may find that their frozen shoulder improves over time without any treatment, while others may require more aggressive interventions such as physical therapy or surgery. In any cases the symptoms of pain and discomfort can be managed through treatment using physical and manual therapy, which have the best medium- and long-term outcomes.

How long does frozen shoulder last?

Frozen shoulder typically lasts between six and nine months. However, some people may experience symptoms for up to two years.

Conclusion

If you think you may have frozen shoulder, it is important to see your doctor for an accurate diagnosis. There are several treatment options available that can help improve symptoms and range of motion. With proper treatment, most people with frozen shoulder will eventually make a full recovery.

At The Art Of Healing we pride ourselves on our bespoke approach to treating frozen shoulder, which uses a mixture of osteopathy, manual therapy, dry needling and the latest in orthopaedic and medical research for rehabilitation and techniques has helped hundreds of patients at our clinic suffering with
Frozen shoulder. We offer guaranteed same day hands on treatment with our expert team to give you relief from your symptoms and develop plans for future progression.


If you think you are suffering from Frozen Shoulder and are looking for expert advice and treatment, we may be able to help. Book an appointment here, contact our team at info@theartofhealing.uk or Call us on 0203 146 6755.

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