Is your shoulder stiff and/or stuck? It may be time to thaw out your frozen shoulder and get you back into all of the activities that you used to love and enjoy. The wincing and the limitations, even when it comes down to raising your arm to wave hello when you see a friend. If you’ve ever found yourself frustrated with adhesive capsulitis (frozen shoulder), we might just have the right solution for you. Acupuncture can help you break the icy grip of a frozen shoulder and restore movement.

What is Adhesive Capsulitis (Frozen Shoulder)?

Adhesive Capsulitis, also known as frozen shoulder, is a condition which causes stiffness and pain in the shoulder joint. There are three stages in this condition known as:

1. The Freezing Stage – This first stage starts with a gradual onset of pain, which becomes worse with any movement. Pain is the #1 symptom during this time. During the night, is when the pain usually reaches its worst and will disrupt your sleep. This stage can last anywhere from 6 weeks up to 9 months.
2. The Frozen Stage – The second stage is when the pain you are experiencing may come to a halt, and now stiffness is the main symptom you feel. The stiffness makes it incredibly difficult to move your shoulder, and severely impacts daily activities. The stage can last from 4 to 12 months.
3. The Thawing Stage – During the final stage, mobility gradually becomes easier while both pain and stiffness become easier to manage and diminishes farther. Some patients will recover fully, while others will still have limitations in their shoulder movements.

Understanding What is Frozen Shoulder & What are the Risk Factors?

The exact cause of frozen shoulder is still not completely understood, but it is believed to be scarring, thickening, inflammation of the shoulder capsule, which is tissue that surrounds the shoulder joint. The capsule folds to allow full range of motion but in this case it develops scar tissue and becomes inflamed. These adhesions are what causes the pain and stiffness. Some of the risk factors include:

• Immobility: If you’ve had a previous injury or have undergone surgery, this can lead to adhesive capsulitis.
• Medical Conditions: Diabetes, thyroid disorders, parkinson’s disease, and cardiovascular disease are all conditions that are associated with frozen shoulder
• Age & Gender: Individuals between 40-60 are more likely to become affected, as well as women having a higher prevalence.

What are other contributing factors of frozen shoulder?

Other contributing factors include hormonal changes, particularly during menopause, age-related degeneration, repetitive stress injuries from certain occupations or activities, and nutritional deficiencies, such as low vitamin D. Research also suggests that hypercholesterolemia and genetic predisposition may increase susceptibility.

Symptoms of frozen shoulder:

There are many different symptoms that an individual experiences and can be different from one person to another if they are suffering from frozen shoulder. Some symptoms include:

Persistent Shoulder Pain: dull, aching pain that worsens with movement and often disrupts sleep at night

Stiffness/Restricted Movement: difficulty lifting, reaching, or rotating the arm

Limited Range of Motion: self-initiated and assisted movements become difficult

Nighttime Discomfort: pain intensifies at night which affects your sleep

Difficulty Completing Daily Tasks: overhead movements, reaching behind your back, or even fastening your seatbelt in the car becomes challenging

Muscle Weakness & Tenderness: reduced use of the shoulder, which can lead to muscle weakening and soreness

Radiating Pain: discomfort that extends down the arm due to nerve involvement

Compensatory Movements: people may alter posture or movements to compensate, leading to strain in other areas

Gradual Progression: symptoms develop over months, starting with mild discomfort and increasing in severity

How Can Acupuncture Help My Symptoms?

Acupuncture has been around for decades and offers a range of benefits for individuals suffering with frozen shoulder.

The benefits include:

Pain Relief: stimulates the relief of endorphins, reducing shoulder pain

Reduces Inflammation: regulates inflammatory responses, easing swelling

Muscle Relaxation: relieves any tensions and spasms, which improves mobility

Improve Circulation: enhances blood flow, promoting healing and reduces stiffness

Enhanced Joint Movement: supports better range of motion by easing pain and stiffness

Stress & Anxiety Reduction: promotes relaxation, which helps with pain management

Healing & Immune Support: repairs tissue, reduces inflammation

Better Night’s Rest: eases both pain and stress, which aids in a better night’s rest

Chronic Pain Management: helps break persistent pain cycles.

Boosts Other Treatments: enhances effectiveness of physical therapy

Reduces The Dependence on Medication: provides natural pain relief which minimizes the reliance on medications

If you are seeking relief from your frozen shoulder, let acupuncture help melt your pain away. At Westbury Acupuncture, we understand your frustrations of not being able to completely enjoy your day to day activities. Acupuncture can help accelerate recovery and restore function. Call us today to schedule a free consultation and let us help you find relief!