What Are The Symptoms of Frozen Shoulder?
With a frozen shoulder, a person usually suffers from a continuous nagging pain in the center and around the shoulder. Often with radiance to the upper arm and even all the way to the hand. The pain can last for weeks. With a sudden movement, it can get worse for a longer time. Keeping the arm in place can be bothersome and it can be very painful to lie on the side. Daily activities such as picking up something from a tall cupboard, dressing or undressing, driving a car or putting something in a back pocket is usually very difficult. It’s difficult to move the shoulder even with help from another person.
There are three stages of frozen shoulder injuries:
- The “stiffening” phase: this period can last 6 weeks to 9 months
- Pain will increase gradually and mobility will decrease (especially at night)
- The “frozen” phase: 4 to 9 months
- typically, pain will decrease, but the stiffness remains. Generally, mobility will decrease to 50% versus a healthy arm.
- The “thawing” phase: 5 months to 4 years
- The pain will decrease further and mobility will increase back to normal.
What Causes a Frozen Shoulder?
The cause of a frozen shoulder is an inflammation of the interior of the joint capsule. The outer part will stiffen up, which is also called fibrosing. This condition can be the result from a long-term limitation in movement after an accident or surgery of the joint. Mostly, the shoulder itself will be limited, but in about a third of the injuries, movement in both arms will be limited.
This injury is most common between the ages of 40 to 60 and people with diabetes, Parkinson’s disease, certain cardiovascular diseases such as cerebral hemorrhage have an increased risk. About 2% to 5% of the Dutch population have suffered from this and nearly 10% to 23% of diabetic patients have a frozen shoulder. With diabetics, this condition often lasts longer and the effect of a frozen shoulder treatment is less predictable.
Your Frozen Shoulder Treatment
A frozen shoulder injury can recover without treatment. It is important to keep the shoulder moving within pain tolerance barriers, so that the shoulder will heal on its own and the stiffness will disappear. In case a sore and stiff shoulder persists physiotherapy can help with immediate pain relief and it will expedite the recovery process. Frozen shoulder physiotherapy treatment aims to relieve the discomfort and to increase the mobility and function of the shoulder.
During the physiotherapy treatment the therapist will explain which movements you can make and which movements you should avoid. Advice will be given how you can best go about daily activities such as sports, housekeeping, work or driving. If the course of injury is different, additional research and another treatment can be proposed in consultation with your physician.
Treatment Methods
The frozen shoulder treatment starts with non-surgical methods to repair the effects of the injury, such as:
- Physiotherapy
- Manual Therapy
- Dry Needling
- Frozen Shoulder Taping
- Frozen Shoulder Exercises
- Medication to stop the inflammation and relieve the pain
Patient Experiences Fysio Masters
“I suffered from back and shoulder injuries for a long time. Samira immediately noticed the problem. With manual therapy and dry needling she has almost completely resolved my injury. I received good advice and now I do my exercises faithfully”. Zorgkaart Nederland – 24 September 2022.
“Awesome therapists who listen well and offers great help with frozen shoulder. While at it, she has even treated me for a 2nd condition and also successfully. Very nice that I got rid of my injury!” Zorgkaart Nederland – 1 March 2024.
“Several times I have been treated very pleasantly and skillfully for my shoulder after surgery”. Zorgkaart Nederland – 30 January 2025.
Request an Appointment
Do you perceive stiffness and loss of motion of your shoulder? Schedule your initial visit! We will identify the cause of your problem and provide you with an individualized comprehensive treatment plan to get you rapid relief.
06-10343160 Whatsapp +31610343160 Book Online