21/10/2024
Recently, I treated a client with chronic frozen shoulder, which had significantly restricted her left arm's mobility for months. Her guarded demeanor during the massage indicated potential for improved range of motion, despite resistance to assistance, inspiring me to create authoritative guidance for individuals with similar symptoms.
🌿 What is Frozen Shoulder & How Can Massage Help?
Frozen shoulder, also known as adhesive capsulitis, is a condition that causes stiffness, pain, and limited range of motion in the shoulder joint. It often develops gradually and can last for months or even years. The condition typically progresses through three stages:
1️⃣ Freezing – Pain and loss of motion gradually increase.
2️⃣ Frozen – Stiffness is more prominent, though pain might decrease.
3️⃣ Thawing – The shoulder slowly begins to regain its mobility.
But why are clients often overprotective of their frozen shoulder?
When movement becomes painful, it’s natural to guard the area and limit use. However, this can worsen stiffness, leading to even less mobility—a frustrating cycle! Clients may also worry that pushing through the pain could cause further damage, so they avoid movement altogether.
What Causes Frozen Shoulder?
Frozen shoulder (adhesive capsulitis) happens when the connective tissue around the shoulder joint thickens and tightens, restricting movement. Here are some common causes and risk factors:
1️⃣ Injury or Surgery: Immobilization after a shoulder injury, surgery, or fracture can lead to stiffness.
2️⃣ Medical Conditions: Diabetes, thyroid disorders, heart disease, and Parkinson’s disease increase the risk.
3️⃣ Inflammation: Conditions like bursitis or tendinitis can irritate the shoulder and trigger the condition.
4️⃣ Age and Gender: It’s most common in people between 40–60 years old, and women are more likely to develop it.
Self-Care Tips & Prevention
✨ 1. Stay Active: Gentle range-of-motion exercises can keep your shoulder mobile. Activities like yoga or swimming also help prevent stiffness.
✨ 2. Manage Pain Early: If you feel stiffness, apply heat to relax the muscles and follow with ice if inflammation is present. Over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications can also help.
✨ 3. Avoid Prolonged Immobilization: After an injury or surgery, try to begin gentle movement (under medical guidance) as soon as possible to prevent stiffness.
✨ 4. Practice Posture Awareness: Poor posture, especially while working at a desk, can lead to shoulder issues. Regular stretching and shoulder rolls can keep tension away.
✨ 5. Stretch Daily: Gentle stretches—like wall crawls or pendulum swings—can loosen up the joint and maintain flexibility.
How Massage Can Help:
Massage therapy offers several benefits for those dealing with frozen shoulder:
✨ Increases Circulation – Promotes blood flow to the area, helping reduce inflammation.
✨ Relieves Muscle Tension – Targets surrounding muscles that may become tight from compensating for the limited shoulder movement.
✨ Improves Mobility – Gentle stretches and techniques encourage gradual release of stiffness over time.
✨ Reduces Pain – By stimulating endorphins, massage can ease discomfort.
If you’re struggling with frozen shoulder or stiffness, massage therapy can be a powerful tool to complement your self-care efforts. Together, we can focus on restoring mobility, reducing pain, and helping you get back to your daily activities pain-free!
