Frozen Shoulder

What is Frozen Shoulder (Adhesive Capsulitis)?

Frozen shoulder, medically known as adhesive capsulitis, is a painful and debilitating condition characterized by progressive stiffness and significant loss of motion in the shoulder joint. It occurs when the connective tissue capsule surrounding the shoulder joint thickens and tightens, forming adhesions (bands of scar tissue). This reduces the space within the joint, making movement incredibly painful and restricted.

Frozen shoulder typically progresses through three stages:

1. Freezing (Painful Stage): Gradual onset of increasing shoulder pain, often worsening at night, with a slow loss of shoulder motion. This stage can last from 6 weeks to 9 months.

2. Frozen (Stiff Stage): Pain may start to diminish, but the shoulder becomes significantly stiffer, making it very difficult to move. This stage can last 4 to 12 months.

3. Thawing (Recovery Stage): Shoulder motion slowly begins to improve, though full recovery can take from 5 months to 2 years, or even longer.

While the exact cause is often unknown, certain factors increase the risk, including diabetes, thyroid issues, heart disease, and immobility after an injury or surgery. As dedicated osteopaths, we are skilled in assessing and treating frozen shoulder, aiming to alleviate pain and restore mobility throughout its stages.

How does it feel?

Frozen shoulder manifests with a distinct pattern of pain and restricted movement that can severely impact daily activities, sleep, and overall quality of life. Common sensations and issues associated with frozen shoulder include:

• Persistent Shoulder Pain: A dull, aching pain in the shoulder, often intensifying with movement and at night. It can sometimes radiate down the arm.

• Progressive Stiffness: A hallmark of the condition is a gradual but significant reduction in the range of motion in all directions – lifting the arm, reaching behind the back, or rotating the arm outwards become extremely difficult or impossible. This severe shoulder stiffness is highly debilitating.

• Difficulty with Daily Tasks: Simple actions like dressing, washing hair, reaching for seatbelts, or cooking become challenging due to limited arm movement.

• Painful "Catches": Sudden, sharp pains can occur with unexpected movements beyond the restricted range.

• Muscle Weakness: Due to disuse and pain, the muscles around the shoulder may weaken.

• Sleep Disruption: Lying on the affected side is often impossible due to pain, leading to restless nights.

• Frustration and Anxiety: The chronic nature of the condition and its impact on independence can lead to emotional distress.

How Can Osteopathy Help?

For those suffering from the debilitating pain and stiffness of frozen shoulder (adhesive capsulitis), our Osteopathic Treatment at MallorcaOsteopaths offers a gentle and patient-centred approach. We understand the frustration and impact this condition has on your daily life and aim to support your recovery through its various stages. Our holistic approach focuses on improving the mechanics of the shoulder joint itself, while also addressing compensatory patterns and related tension in your neck, upper back, and rib cage.

Our osteopathic treatment in Mallorca for frozen shoulder focuses on:

1. Reducing Pain and Inflammation: Through gentle, non-invasive manual techniques, we work to decrease the intense pain and inflammation in the shoulder capsule and surrounding tissues. This helps manage the 'freezing' stage and improve comfort.

2. Restoring Joint Mobility: We apply specific, gentle articulation and mobilization techniques to the shoulder joint itself, as well as the shoulder blade, collarbone, and ribs, to carefully and gradually restore movement in the restricted capsule. This work is crucial for both the 'freezing' and 'frozen' stages.

3. Addressing Compensatory Patterns: When the shoulder is stiff, other parts of the body (like the neck and upper back) often overwork to compensate. We treat these areas to release secondary tension, providing relief from associated neck pain or upper back stiffness and supporting overall recovery.

4. Improving Tissue Flexibility: We use various soft tissue techniques to release tightness in the muscles surrounding the shoulder, improving their elasticity and allowing for greater range of motion.

5. Supporting the Recovery Process: We provide guidance on appropriate movements and exercises that can be performed at home to support the thawing process, without aggravating the condition. Our holistic osteopathy approach also considers the impact of stress on recovery, offering techniques to promote relaxation and well-being.

Whether you're a long-term resident managing the frustrating stages of frozen shoulder or a visitor experiencing acute shoulder pain and stiffness that's limiting your enjoyment of Mallorca, our home visit osteopathy service across the island offers highly convenient and effective solutions. We bring expert, personalized care directly to you, helping you regain precious movement and independence.