Frozen shoulder tends to affect more women than men, and is more prevalent in the 40-60 year old age group. It is not an aging/degenerative condition and Frozen Shoulder is a temporary.
Essentially Frozen Shoulder (or its proper name Adhesive Captulitis) is restriction and inflammation in the actual shoulder joint and hence results in significant loss of range of movement. So, the restriction comes from the shoulder capsule, the bit that that keeps the joint in place and keeps the lubricating synovial fluid inside.
Possible causes
The causes of Frozen Shoulder are poorly understood however there are risk factors namely past/recent injury to the shoulder, shoulder surgery, Diabetes Type 1 and is more common for women. Read here for an excellent in depth article on Frozen Shoulder.Managing Frozen Shoulder and how Massage treatments can help
Frozen Shoulder will gradually disappear so it is temporary. It is important to understand there are three phases to a Frozen Shoulder and fortunately Massage can play a key role in management of pain, movement & rehabilitation through the different phases:Phases:
1 - Acute/Freezing - this is when you start to notice a loss of movement, and can be the most painful stage, you may not be able to sleep on your shoulder at night. This may last approx. 2 to 8 months.At this stage relaxing Massage techniques are focused on reducing pain, gentle mobilising and treating the associated soft tissues further away from the shoulder e.g. the neck, thoracic and lumbar back.
2- Sub-acute/Frozen - the pain gradularly starts to decrease but the stiffness and lack of movement persists, generally lasts 4-12 months. The focus on Massage therapy is similar to the Freezing stage, working within the boundaries of the individual.
3 - Chronic/Thawing - the stiffness gradually starts to disappear and movement is gradually recovered. Generally lasts 1-2.5 years. The key to this phases is rehab, as the soft tissues will be weak from the lack of movement. Massage therapy is key to help restore, activate and re-familiarise the tissues to achieve normal movement this is alongside diligent self-care rehab exercises.
Note I use the term Massage however this also includes Myofascial Release techniques which are highly effective, gentle non-invasive and sustained techniques for shoulder treatments.
Also, the lack of movement and pain in the shoulder does not always mean you have Frozen Shoulder, being such an intricate joint there could be other shoulder, neck, back muscle, fascia, ligament, dislocation or nerve issues to consider.
Seeking professional advice to assess the shoulder is important to ensure you have the right prognosis, treatment and rehab and hence relevant treatments other than Massage could include Physios, Consultants, MRI, Osteopathy, Acupuncture. Often a team approach is appropriate and as always everyone’s sceanrio and choice is individual.
If you would like to discuss or query anything from or about this article, please contact me.
Nicky Holbrook
Sports Massage & Remedial Therapy, Myofascial Release Therapy, Soft Tissue Specialist
3 - Chronic/Thawing - the stiffness gradually starts to disappear and movement is gradually recovered. Generally lasts 1-2.5 years. The key to this phases is rehab, as the soft tissues will be weak from the lack of movement. Massage therapy is key to help restore, activate and re-familiarise the tissues to achieve normal movement this is alongside diligent self-care rehab exercises.
Note I use the term Massage however this also includes Myofascial Release techniques which are highly effective, gentle non-invasive and sustained techniques for shoulder treatments.
Also, the lack of movement and pain in the shoulder does not always mean you have Frozen Shoulder, being such an intricate joint there could be other shoulder, neck, back muscle, fascia, ligament, dislocation or nerve issues to consider.
Seeking professional advice to assess the shoulder is important to ensure you have the right prognosis, treatment and rehab and hence relevant treatments other than Massage could include Physios, Consultants, MRI, Osteopathy, Acupuncture. Often a team approach is appropriate and as always everyone’s sceanrio and choice is individual.
If you would like to discuss or query anything from or about this article, please contact me.
Nicky Holbrook
Sports Massage & Remedial Therapy, Myofascial Release Therapy, Soft Tissue Specialist