Frozen Shoulder: Understanding the Stages and Road to Recovery

Frozen shoulder, also known as adhesive capsulitis, can be a painful and frustrating condition. This gradual stiffening of the shoulder joint can significantly impact daily activities and quality of life. Sudden or overhead movements, lifting objects or reaching across the body can be excruciating.

Recognizing Frozen Shoulder

Frozen shoulder predominately affects women between 40 and 60 and differs from normal stiffness in several ways:

“The onset of frozen shoulder will be gradual over weeks or even months, whereas normal stiffness may restrict movement for a little bit and improve quickly,” said Dr. Chun.

Other indicators include a high intensity of pain, severely limited range of motion in all directions, and persistent symptoms that don’t improve with simple stretching or warming up.

The Three Stages

Understanding the stages of frozen shoulder can help patients manage expectations during recovery:

• Freezing: Initial pain and tightening of the shoulder
• Frozen: Severe limitation in range of motion and intense pain
• Thawing: Gradual improvement in mobility and decrease in pain

Treatment Options and Home Management

While frozen shoulder can resolve on its own, professional treatment can speed up recovery and reduce pain. Dr. Chun recommends a comprehensive approach:

“We try to keep our treatments comprehensive instead of just going through the guidelines and having a cookie-cutter approach with our frozen shoulder patients.”

Treatment options may include physical therapy, chiropractic care, and in severe cases, cortisone shots. At home, patients can perform gentle stretches like pendulum exercises, towel stretches, and cross-body stretches to maintain mobility.

Staying Positive During Recovery

Living with frozen shoulder can be mentally challenging, so it’s important to try and relax and maintain a positive mindset. “Be kind to yourself, acknowledge that living with frozen shoulder is challenging, and allow yourself to feel frustrated without judgment,” said Dr. Chun. Keeping a journal to track progress, maintaining a healthy diet that decreases inflammation, and staying hydrated can also help manage stress during recovery.