Frozen Shoulder

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Frozen shoulder is a condition that causes loss of motion in the shoulder joint. The diagnosis of frozen shoulder is often used for any painful shoulder condition associated with a loss of motion in the shoulder joint.

Other conditions can also cause restricted motion and a stiff joint--the diagnosis of a frozen shoulder includes specific symptoms. Often people experience trauma to the shoulder prior to the onset of the frozen shoulder but sometimes there is no known cause for developing a frozen shoulder although it may be due to misalignment or a draft causing muscle spasm.

Frozen shoulder is also called adhesive capsulitis (inflamed joint capsule).

The condition is characterized painful restriction of external rotation, seen in lifting the arm and turning it inwards, usually more than 50%.

Frozen shoulder is most common in the 40-60 year old age group and it is twice as common in women as men.

People usually experience pain as the first symptom of frozen shoulder, followed by the loss of motion and a decrease in pain.

Normally a gradual return of motion will follow; however, the length of time for recovery from frozen shoulder can be prolonged, with an average of 18 months

The cause is unknown but Conventional treatment includes:

• Painkillers and anti-inflammatories
• An injection of steroids
• Physiotherapy

Complementary treatment would be re-alignments followed by massage and trigger point treatment in the following order; 2 alignments, 1 massage, 1 alignment.

See information about Neuroskeletal Re-alignment therapy.

Exercise is also very useful in helping with frozen shoulder.

Other useful links about Frozen Shoulder

This is an NHS Direct page about the condition.
http://www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk/articles/article.aspx?articleId=168

 A BBC article about shoulder pain.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/health/ask_the_doctor/shoulderpain.shtml

A patient information sheet.
http://www.prodigy.nhs.uk/patient_information/pils/frozen_shoulder.htm

There are several sites that give exercises to help prevent and treat frozen shoulder and other shoulder injuries but remember it’s important to check with your doctor before starting to do exercises.  

http://www.thestretchinghandbook.com/archives/shoulder-pain-frozen-shoulder.htm

 http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/fact/thr_report.cfm?Thread_ID=162&topcategory=Shoulder

 http://www.yess.uk.com/patient_information/leaflets/frozen_shoulder.pdf#search=%22Frozen%20shoulder%20exercises%22