If your shoulder has started to become stiff and painful for no apparent reason, you may be developing a frozen shoulder.
A frozen shoulder, also known as adhesive capsulitis, is a condition characterized by stiffness and pain in the shoulder joint. It normally affects only one shoulder at a time. The exact cause of frozen shoulder is not always clear, but it involves the thickening and tightening of the capsule surrounding the shoulder joint. The condition typically progresses through three stages:
- Freezing stage (0 – 3 months) Pain and stiffness developing
- Frozen stage (3 – 9 months) Pain may reduce but stiffness remains
- Defrosting stage (9 – 18 months) Movement slowly returns over time
However, with early diagnosis and commencement of treatment the length of condition can be dramatically reduced. Let one of our experienced physiotherapy team carry out a detailed assess of your shoulder. They will then discuss the diagnosis and recommended treatment and management options that are available to help reduce the pain and limited movement associated with a frozen shoulder.
Here are some suggestions that may help reduce your shoulder pain:
- Relocate items stored in higher cupboards where you can reach then at waist height
- Try either heat or ice around the shoulder. You may find one better than the other to help reduce pain 2-3 times a day for 20 minutes. Avoid applying ice directly to your skin. Wrap the ice in a tea towel first
- Try to move the shoulder as often as you can to limit the developing stiffness
