Frozen shoulder or ‘adhesive capsulitis’ is a common cause of shoulder pain. It refers to inflammation and scarring of the capsule which surrounds the shoulder joint. It tends to affect people aged between 40 and 60, with women affected more than men.

Symptoms

The main symptoms of frozen shoulder are stiffness pain and a gradual loss of range of movement in most directions. The reasons for this injury are largely unknown but ‘adhesion’ (scar tissue) begins forming in the joint capsule.

The most important thing to do with a frozen shoulder is not to ingnore it. The injury can last for over 12 months in some circumstances and the sooner treatment and rehabilitation exercises are started, the quicker the recovery time.

Often a change of postuolling muscles act on the shoulder.re can displace the shoulder’s natural position creating an imbalance in the way the fine control musclesact on the shoulder ( rotator cuff muscles). If one or more of these muscles shortens it can beging the process of improper use of the shoulder. This in turn can increase the likeliehood of the onset of Frozen shoulder.

Treatment

Here at the clinic we havesoft tissue and functional techniques to improve the range of motion and hence avoid the potential for frozen shoulder to develop. We also give stretching advice and rehabilitation programmes of exercise.