The 3 Stages of Frozen Shoulder and How to Thaw It
Is putting on a seatbelt or brushing your hair becoming an impossible task? Is lifting your arm giving you immense pain? You might be experiencing Adhesive Capsulitis, commonly known as Frozen Shoulder. This condition causes the capsule surrounding your shoulder joint to thicken and tighten, severely restricting movement.
The 3 Stages of Frozen Shoulder
Freezing Stage (Painful): Any movement of your shoulder causes pain, and your range of motion starts to become limited. This can last from 6 weeks to 9 months.
Frozen Stage (Stiff): Pain may begin to diminish during this stage, but your shoulder becomes stiffer, and using it becomes more difficult. Daily tasks at home or work in Howick become a struggle.
Thawing Stage (Recovery): The range of motion in your shoulder begins to improve.
Can Physiotherapy Help?
Absolutely. While Frozen Shoulder is a condition that eventually resolves, the process can take years without intervention. Treatment at Velca focuses on:
Pain Relief: Gentle mobilization and acupuncture/dry needling to manage pain during the freezing stage.
Mobility: Specific stretching exercises to maintain as much range as possible.
Strength: Strengthening the rotator cuff to support the joint as it "thaws."
Chiropractic Support Our chiropractors also play a vital role by manipulating your shoulder joint, easing the recovery in addition to ensuring your thoracic spine (upper back) and neck are mobile, preventing secondary pain from overcompensating for your stiff shoulder.
If you suspect you have Frozen Shoulder, get a diagnosis early. We can help guide you through the stages and speed up the thaw.