Frozen shoulder is a condition whereby the shoulder joint becomes painful and stiff. It is thought to be like scar tissue forming in the capsule. If neglected a frozen shoulder can take 18 months to subside, and up to 3 years for symptoms to disappear.
Symptoms often interfere with everyday tasks such as driving, dressing, or sleeping. Even scratching your back, or putting your hand in a rear pocket, may become impossible. In some cases it will affect your occupation. The pain usually starts with stiffness and limitation that gradually builds up. The pain is typically worse at night and when you lie on the affected side. After a few months the pain will ease but the range of motion will continue to worsen, thus affecting the surrounding muscles.
Frozen shoulder affects 1 in 50 adults at some stage in their life and most commonly occurs in people aged between 40 and 60. It is more common in women.
At the Woodside Osteopathic Clinic our aim would be to reduce the time you suffer from this condition. We adopt osteopathic techniques such as specific mobilisations, muscular massage, hydrotherapy and exercise prescription to return movement in your shoulder so the pain will subside leaving it possible for you to return to your normal activities and prevent reoccurrence of the condition.
