Frozen Shoulder

Frozen shoulder (a.k.a. adhesive capsulitis) is an inflammation of the shoulder joint articular capsule, resulting in pain and joint restriction. Confusingly, it can affect both athletes and more sedentary older people. It tends to be self resolving over an 18 month-2 year period, but few people are willing to endure the pain and lifestyle restrictions for such a long period without remedial therapy or, in extreme cases, surgery.

Manual therapy tends to be most successful in alleviating the symptoms and joint restriction of frozen shoulder if it intervenes either early on or late in the disease cycle. Treatment is regular over a relatively sustained period of time, centering not only on improving the shoulder joint's range of motion, but also preserving good function in the wrist, elbow, thoracic and cervical spine.

Hydrotherapy, acupuncture and exercise are also very important treatment adjuncts in ensuring the period over which the patient is affected by the frozen shoulder is minimised.

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Read more about how we use osteopathy, sports injury rehabilitation and therapeutic massage.

Read more on our blog

Recent entries from our blog related to frozen shoulder:

• Using hot/cold water and ice for burns, muscle sprains and migraines