What is frozen shoulder? The term describe a syndrome characterized by pain (usually dull and aching and located over the outer shoulder area) and stiffness in the shoulder joint.

Frozen shoulder occurs when shoulder joint capsule thickens and tightens around the shoulder joint, restricting its movement. The shoulder can't be moved normally, either actively, by the person suffering from frozen shoulder, or passively, by a doctor or other therapist.

There are three phases to frozen shoulder (also called "adhesive capsulitis.") Each stage may last several months.

The first phase is the acute, or painful, phase, in which pain gradually increases and some stiffness starts to be felt. Pain may be severe, is often worse at night, and may interfere with sleep.

In the second, or "frozen" stage, pain may diminish, but stiffness increases significantly.

In the final, or "thawing" stage, range of motion begins to increase, and pain diminishes.

Frozen shoulder usually goes away by itself within two years, at least to some degree. For many people, though, some stiffness and limitation of shoulder movement remains.

It occurs most frequently in people between the ages of 40 and 60, and in women more than men.

The cause isn't known, but it seems to correlate with postural dysfunction (rounded shoulders, forward head). Another strong association is shoulder disuse or immobility, i.e. after an injury. It also seems to correlate with certain medical conditions including diabetes, under- or over-active thyroid, cardiovascular disease, and Parkinson's disease.

Massage and acupuncture are two therapies that often have good results.

Commonly prescribed medical treatments include physical therapy (which has mixed results), corticosteroidal injections, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen. Sometimes doctors inject sterile water into the joint capsule to stretch the tissue; manipulate the shoulder under anesthesia (you, not them!) to help loosen it; or in cases where nothing else will help, perform surgery to remove scar tissue and adhesions in the joint.

You can find links to self-treatment tips for frozen shoulder here.

I wish you ease and comfort and full range of motion in your shoulder, and I am confident that you will be able to feel better.

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