Frozen Shoulder

Normal and Frozen Shoulder

Frozen shoulder is also known as per the name “adhesive capsulitis”.

A frozen shoulder as per the name is a shoulder that would barely move.

image of a shoulder capsule

Both signs and symptoms typically begin slowly and then get worse.

Recovery time is subjective.

Causes and Symptoms of frozen shoulder.

Causes

A common cause of a Frozen Shoulder is having to keep a shoulder still for an extended period, like after an accident.

Even if it is not clear yet why there are also psychosomatic reasons why a shoulder can get frozen.

Another reason why a shoulder could get to freeze is traumatic events, such as a high level of stress or a physical accident.

On the physical level, what happen is that connective tissues that surround the shoulder joint, like a capsule, thickens and tightens around the shoulder joint, and by doing so, it does restrict the joint’s movement.

Symptoms

Frozen Shoulder symptoms developed in 3 different stages.

The stage’s timing is subjective.

  • Freezing stage
    Shoulder range of motion starts decreasing, and pain shows up/increases.
  • Frozen stage
    The Shoulder would freeze up. The movement is minimal, even though it is less painful.
  • Thawing stage
    In this stage, the range of motions are slowly coming back

Pain can be worst at night.

This may happen because of the sleeping position or because the sensory feeling is more acute at night than in the daytime when the body perceives more sensations.

Suffering from Frozen Shoulder and need some help. Book now an MLD treatment at Melbourne Massage and Treatment.

Risk factors for Frozen Shoulder

Age and gender

Women are more luckily to suffer from this condition.

Also, age plays a crucial role in this type of pathology. People 40 and over are luckier indeed to develop F.S.

Systemic diseases

Here is a list of specific conditions that can increase the possibility of suffering from F.S.:

  • Diabetes
  • Overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism)
  • Underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism)
  • Cardiovascular disease
  • Parkinson’s disease

Prevention

There are not many preventive factors when it gets to F.S.
This is because the main cause of F.S. is holding the shoulder back from doing movements, due to a previous injury, most of the time.

What can help, and this is how Melbourne Massage and Treatment services come in handy is to do MLD sessions on the area surrounding the injury.

How MLD can help by stimulating the lymphatic system work and boosting the recovery process.

Also, MLD would help in reducing inflammation.

Other massage technique such as Myotherapy or Remedial Massage and or Thai Massage, is not as effective for this type of condition.

Another successful method that can help once Frozen Shoulder is already developed is by using Hydrodilatation.

This methodology consists in injecting sterile water into the joint capsule to stretch the open space and bring the shoulder back to its ROM.


Giovanni La Rocca

Giovanni moved to Melbourne, Australia, from Italy in 2008 and became a citizen in 2017. He started studying massage therapy in 2016, then completed a Bachelor of Health Science in Clinical Myotherapy in August 2024. During those years, he also specialised in Thai Massage and Manual Lymphatic Drainage for presentations like Lipedema and Lymphoedema. Nowadays, he runs his clinic in Fitzroy North, Melbourne, where he integrates movement therapy into his practice to enhance overall well-being. He also values meditation, having completed several Vipassana courses. Committed to continuous learning, he aims to share his expertise in integrated therapies to help others achieve balance and resilience.

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Away Oct. '24

Hi, and thanks for visiting the Melbourne Massage and Treatment website.

The clinic will be closed until October 13th.

I am in Auckland, NZ, for a Vodder Academy Course on Manual Lymphatic Drainage. During this course, I am learning to manage Lymphedema and Lipedema presentations.

If you have any enquiries about Melbourne Massage and Treatment Services, please do not hesitate to reach out to me via the contact page or email.

For now, have a joyful day, and see you soon.
Giovanni

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