What is Frozen Shoulder? Hint: It’s Not Cold

Introduction to Frozen Shoulder

Frozen shoulder might sound like something that happens in cold weather, but it has nothing to do with temperature! Also known as adhesive capsulitis, frozen shoulder is a condition that causes pain, stiffness, and limited movement in the shoulder joint. Over time, it can become difficult to lift your arm, making even simple tasks a challenge. But don’t worry—there are ways to treat and manage frozen shoulder, and osteopathy is one of them.

What Causes Frozen Shoulder?
Frozen shoulder usually develops when the tissue around your shoulder joint thickens and tightens, restricting movement. This tightening often happens gradually, and the exact cause isn’t always clear. However, it’s more common in people who’ve experienced:

Injury or surgery: If you’ve had surgery or an injury that required keeping your shoulder immobile for a period of time, you might be at higher risk for developing frozen shoulder.

Diabetes: People with diabetes are more likely to develop frozen shoulder, though the reason for this isn’t fully understood.

Age and gender: Frozen shoulder is more common in people aged 40-60 and affects women more than men.

Frozen shoulder typically progresses through three stages:

Freezing stage: Shoulder pain worsens, and movement becomes increasingly limited.

Frozen stage: Pain may begin to subside, but stiffness remains, making movement difficult.

Thawing stage: Shoulder movement slowly improves, but full recovery can take several months.

Here’s how Osteopathy can help:

At Ampersand Allied Health, we understand how frustrating frozen shoulder can be. Osteopathy offers a holistic approach to treating this condition, focusing on reducing pain, improving mobility, and helping you regain full use of your shoulder.

Improving joint mobility: We use gentle techniques to help mobilise the shoulder joint, improving your range of motion and reducing stiffness. By carefully increasing movement in the joint, we can help you progress through the “frozen” stage and into recovery.

Releasing muscle tension: The muscles surrounding the shoulder often become tight due to compensatory movements. Osteopathy can help release this tension, allowing your muscles to function more efficiently and without pain.

Pain management: Osteopathic techniques are designed to reduce inflammation and alleviate pain. By targeting the root cause of your discomfort, we can help you feel more comfortable and move more freely.

Post-treatment advice: We’ll provide you with exercises and stretches to continue at home, helping you maintain the improvements made during your sessions. Consistency is key to fully recovering from frozen shoulder.

Don’t Wait for Frozen Shoulder to Thaw on Its Own
If you’re struggling with frozen shoulder, it’s important to seek treatment sooner rather than later. Without intervention, frozen shoulder can take months—or even years—to fully resolve. At Ampersand Allied Health, we’re here to help you get back to your normal routine as quickly as possible. Book an appointment today and let’s start working on getting your shoulder moving again.