What is Frozen Shoulder

You may have heard about people who have a ‘Frozen shoulder’, but what is it, how do you know if you’ve got it, and what can you do to get better?  

You might think you have Frozen Shoulder (Adhesive Capsulitis) if you have pain and stiffness in your shoulder. They occur because there is an inflammation which causes the shoulder capsule to thicken and this then tightens the surrounding tissues.  It means that your movement may be severely restricted and this prevents you from doing the most basic of tasks.   

You are more likely to get Frozen Shoulder if :

• You are diabetic

• You have a thyroid disorder

• You are over 40 and female

• You have an extended period of immobility due to an arm fracture, stroke or surgery

• You have had a previous shoulder/ neck injury

There are 3 stages to a Frozen Shoulder and they always follow the same pattern:

1) Freezing Stage (2-6 months): Moderate to severe pain with minimal movement loss, you might find that you can’t extend your arm as far as you used to. 

2) Frozen Stage (4-12 months): Moderate pain and Stiffness with extreme movement loss, meaning that you can’t do anything properly

3) Thawing Stage (6-26 months): Minimal or even no pain and a reduction of your stiffness leading to a gradual return of normal movements. Sustained Physiotherapy is really helpful to help you regain the function of your shoulder, which leads to a return to full mobility. 

How do I know if I have Frozen Shoulder?

You will have a dull ache or pain around your shoulder joint.  It might be worse in the evenings or at night and can affect your sleep, especially when you are lying on the side of the injured shoulder.

You will not be able to move your shoulder as freely or extend your arms as far as you once could.  This will limit your ability to do simple daily tasks, and you might need to enlist the help of somebody for some of the harder ones. 

What is the best way to get better if I have Frozen Shoulder?

That’s a really easy question!  Making an appointment for a Consultation at Chester’s Best Clinic for Shoulder Pain, Relive Physiotherapy is the best thing that you could possibly do.  Our expert Physiotherapists will be able to examine your shoulder and confirm whether you do have Frozen Shoulder. They will then talk to you about the treatment plan and the different stages of your recovery and set milestones with you for your recovery.  Remember, it’s not an exact science and the results may vary from person to person, depending on the severity of the problem and how actively the person participates in their own rehabilitation.

All of the different treatments can help to ease symptoms and improve your shoulder mobility.  There are many different techniques that we would use!

Pain Relief 

We understand that having Frozen Shoulder is painful. By using Ultrasound Therapy, we can help reduce the pain intensity during Stages 1 and 2 by generating deep heat, which relaxes your muscles, reduces stiffness, and promotes tissue healing. 

Manual Therapy

Techniques like joint mobilisations and soft tissue manipulation can directly target the stiff shoulder joint and surrounding tissues, reducing your pain and breaking down any scar tissue, which promotes better movement and function.

Corticosteroid Injections

A Corticosteroid injection is an anti-inflammatory medication, which is injected directly into your shoulder joint to reduce inflammation, provide short-term pain reduction, and improved shoulder mobility. This treatment is often used alongside Physiotherapy for the best results as it means that we can use healing techniques that might be too painful otherwise. 

Mobility Exercises

These exercises aim to gradually restore your shoulder movement. Examples include:

• Pendulum Stretch: Lean forward, supporting yourself with a table, and let your affected arm hang down holding a light weight. Gently swing your arm in small circles.

• Towel Stretch: Hold a towel behind your back with both hands. Use your good arm to pull the affected arm upward, stretching the shoulder.

• Finger Ladder: Stand facing the wall and slowly "walk" your fingers up the wall, reaching as high as you comfortably can.

Strengthening Exercises

We use Resistance bands in our gym for scapular and cuff strengthening.  This challenges the muscles and gradually regains the lost muscular capacity.

In some cases, additional treatments such as joint manipulation under anesthesia, or arthroscopic capsular release may be considered, but these are specialist procedures that you would not be able to receive at our Clinic.

If I am in Pain, what can I do to help myself?  

Pain Management

Over-the-counter pain relievers like paracetamol or anti-inflammatories like Ibuprofen can help manage your pain. You can also use Heat and Cold Therapy: Applying heat packs can help relax your muscles and improve blood flow, while cold packs can reduce inflammation and numb pain.

Activity Modification

Avoid activities that make the pain and stiffness worse. Don’t rush back into activities before you are ready.  

Posture Education

Maintaining good posture can help reduce strain on your shoulder. Physiotherapists can provide further tailored guidance on proper posture and ergonomics.

Home Exercise Program and Lifestyle Modifications

Doing the exercises that you have been given is an essential component of your recovery.  Engaging in regular physical activity, maintaining a healthy weight, and managing underlying conditions (e.g. diabetes, thyroid disorders) can help prevent recurrence and promote overall shoulder health.

What happens if I don’t get treatment?

Firstly, your recovery time will be much greater. If left untreated, a frozen shoulder can lead to long-term pain and stiffness, significantly impacting your quality of life. Early intervention and regular Physiotherapy can help prevent these long-standing issues and promote recovery. With the right treatment plan, most people can regain full function and return to their daily activities.

Frozen Shoulder is a condition that brings with it a lot of pain, a lot of stiffness and a need for you to compromise on your quality of life.  Simple tasks become difficult as the inflammation and stiffness means that you can’t do the things that you would normally take for granted.

However, there is a light at the end of the tunnel.  Regular Physiotherapy and exercises can help reduce the pain and the time that you are suffering and get you back quicker to leading the life that you want to live, unrestricted by pain.