What is frozen shoulder?
Frozen shoulder(Adhesive Capsulitis) happens when the tissue around your shoulder joint becomes inflamed, tightens & shrinks causing pain.
Frozen shoulder is characterized by 3 different stages which tend to develop gradually:
- freezing stage -any movement of the shoulder causes pain, & range of movement becomes restricted
- frozen stage-pain levels may reduce but the shoulder becomes stiffer (due to reduced movement during the freezing stage) & daily activities which rely on shoulder movement become more difficult, such as reaching up to grab something off the shelf
- thawing stage- range of movement begins to improve & it appears the shoulder is getting better on its own
It’s great that a frozen shoulder can resolve itself without intervention but sadly this process can take anywhere between 1 & 3 years, much as the development can take many months to progress though each stage.
What causes frozen shoulder?
During the process of its development & reduction clients experience severe restriction in the ability to continue with daily activities & for some the pain worsens at night, sometimes disrupting sleep.
Frozen shoulder can develop at any time in a person’s life but according to statistics those over 40, women in particular, are more at risk. However, there could be several factors influencing it’s development but one of the biggest factors is lack of movement of the arms/shoulder capsule – for example people who work for long periods at a computer, artists/craft makers or long distance drivers are particularly susceptible.
Basically, any activity that requires long hours with arms held directly in-front of the body has potential to lead to frozen shoulder. Maintaining this position requires the body to lay down extra tissue to sustain this kind of posture, creating stiffness & a restriction of the wide range of movement the shoulder is capable of.
Complications of frozen shoulder
As well as stiffness & restricted movement this postural habit can lead to a slowing down of the lymphatic flow through the axila (armpits), restriction of nerve function in the brachial plexus (a network of nerves located near the shoulder joint) & restriction of blood flow through the area & to the shoulder joint. Individuals recovering from a medical condition or procedure that prevents them from moving their arm — such as a stroke or a mastectomy- are also at risk.
As with all physical pain & restrictions the presenting symptoms can be a manifestation of disfunction elsewhere in the body due to compensatory patterns of movement or posture. Instability in the hip/pelvis, for example, will restrict movement in the opposite shoulder as the brain tries its best to prevent the body from toppling over at all times.
More rarely frozen shoulder can be a sign of diabetes – it’s still unclear why this is. If you develop frozen shoulder symptoms & you are at risk of developing diabetes then get checked by a medical professional for assessment.
How can bodywork therapy help my frozen shoulder?
As frozen shoulder develops gradually it’s important to do something about it as soon as you notice signs of stiffness or pain to prevent it developing further.
The Bowen Technique is a non-invasive technique that can help ease the issue, whichever stage you are at, but the earlier you book a series of sessions the quicker the issue will be resolved. The Bowen Technique will address the restriction & pain felt at the shoulder plus the therapist will usually look at other areas of the body which may be contributing to your presenting symptoms. You will be prescribed exercises to help increase range of movement in the joint capsule.
Traditional treatment under medical supervision for frozen shoulder typically rely on corticosteroids and numbing medications injected into the joint capsule. In a small percentage of cases, arthroscopic surgery may be offered to loosen the joint capsule so that it can move more freely. But all too often these more invasive treatments are suggested before soft tissue therapies have been tried. In many cases such invasive methods have been avoided by trying bodywork techniques first, resorting to medication or surgery only if the manual therapies have not resolved the issue.
Recovery from frozen shoulder
During treatment & recovery from frozen shoulder you will be advised not to use any strenuous exercise or gym equipment that will exacerbate the pain or potentially cause injury in other areas of the body that have stepped in to help the function of the shoulder. Gentle is best & less is more.
Prevention is key so to avoid developing frozen shoulder it is advisable to drink plenty of water each day (to hydrate the tissues) & regularly move the arms in all directions, covering full range of movement of the shoulder capsule.
The Bowen Technique is a great way of maintaining optimal conditions of your musculoskeletal health.