Dangers of Frozen Shoulder, Can Last for Years!

Triggers, symptoms, stages, and how to prevent and treat Frozen Shoulder

Tension and stiffness in the shoulders may be common for some people to experience when they are stressed, after strenuous exercise, or carrying heavy loads on their shoulders for too long. However, the pain in the shoulder is different with Frozen Shoulder.

Frozen Shoulder also known as Adhesive Caplaluis is disorder in the form of pain and stiffness that occurs in the shoulder area. People who experience this disease usually experience limitations in moving their shoulders or can not move them at all.

Based on data, around 2-5% of the world’s population suffers from Frozen Shoulder, but only a few people can differentiate ordinary tension in the shoulders with Frozen Shoulder. Apart from that, self-diagnosis is also dangerous because it can make shoulder complaint worse due to incorrect treatment. So, to understand the condition of Frozen Shoulder further, check out this following educational article!

A. Frozen Shoulder Triggers

Frozen Shoulder occur because the flexible tissue surrounding the shoulder joint (shoulder capsule) thickens and becomes inflamed. However, the exact cause of this thickening and inflammation is not yet known. But, the following things are thought to trigger Frozen Shoulder:

1. Generally, Frozen Shoulder are experienced by women over 40 years or more;
2. Carrying too much and often heavy items using the shoulders as a support;
3. Using pillows that do not suit the contour of the neck and poor sleeping position;
4. Trauma, such as a torn tendon or injury to another parts of the shoulder;
5. Immobilization, such as traces of surgery;
6. Disease conditions whose cause is unknown (Idiopathic);
7. Nervous disease, such as Parkinson’s or stroke;
8. Metabolic/endocrine diseases, such as diabetes, autoimmune, and thyroid;
9. Heart disease, such as hypertension or cardiac ischemia; and
10. Others causes, such as high cholesterol or malignant.

B. Frozen Shoulder Symptoms

Based on PH Remedial Massage Indonesia’s experience, here are some of the most common symptoms of Frozen Shoulders suffered by our clients:

1. Some cases begin with complaint that the hand felt numb or tingling;
2. Pain in the shoulder and arm area, especially at night day so that disrupting sleep;
3. Feeling of stiffness and tension in the arms, shoulders and neck area; and
4. Difficulty moving the arms up, to the side or behind, so experience difficulty in wearing  clothes, combing hair, scratching the back, putting on a bra, and reaching objects in high places.​

C.  Difference between Frozen Shoulder and Regular Shoulder Strain

1. The pain in Frozen Shoulder sufferers​ feels dull and deep, while shoulder tension feels sharp stabbing and usually get worse with certain movements.
2. Frozen Shoulder cause significant stiffness and get worse over time, whereas shoulder tension only causes mild stiffness.
3. Tension in the shoulders can cause limited shoulder movement, but it is not as bad as Frozen Shoulder.

D. Stages of Frozen Shoulder

Generally, the symptoms are Frozen Shoulder can develop gradually, if the sufferer does not immediately treat them, they last a long time. The stages of Frozen shoulder are:

1. First Stage (Freezing Stage): Characterized by pain in the shoulder joint every time it is moved so that shoulder movement begins to be limited. This stage can last for 6 – 9 months.
2. Second Stage (Frozen Stage): On this stage, the pain begins to decrease, but shoulders feels increasingly stiff and difficult to moved. Usually, this stage lasts 4 months to 1 year.
3. Third Stage (Thawing Stage): At this stage, shoulder movement is slowly starting to improve, but the healing process may need time up to 3 years, depending on each person’s body condition.

Of course, this long healing time will disturbing daily activities, so sufferers often look for ways to speedy recovery. Here are tips to avoiding and overcome Frozen Shoulder!

E.  Tips to Avoiding and Overcoming Frozen Shoulder

1. Stretch your shoulder for a few minutes if you work using the laptop for too long.
2. Do exercise regularly without skipping the warm-up and cool-down beforehand. If you want to do strenuous exercise, you should do it gradually over a certain frequency and duration to reduce the risk of injury.
3. Keep your blood sugar levels normal by​ not consuming foods and drinks that contain excessive amounts of sugar​, especially if you or your family have a history of diabetes.
4. Instead of self-diagnosing and letting your shoulder feel stiff for a long time, it is better to come to PH Remedial Massage Indonesia to get Remedial Massage treatment and consultation. PH Remedial Massage Indonesia will help your muscle to return to normal position and shape. Immediately schedule your reservation at PH Remedial Massage Indonesia and contact us by WhatsApp: 08111338137 now!

By : Rastianta Rinandani dan Glen Stevano Tanihatu

Source :

• https://www.instagram.com/p/CgB6GEYhDRV/?igsh=eXU3NXFndnpiMjU4
• https://www.instagram.com/p/CfbTDkfBLI_/?igsh=MTF1bHdtaGUwMWl6dg%3D%3D
• https://www.halodoc.com/kesehatan/frozen-shoulder
• https://www.alodokter.com/frozen-shoulder
• https://www.halodoc.com/article/inilah-symptomatic-frozen-shoulder-yang-need-diketahui
• https://www.klikdokter.com/penyakit/problem-otot-dan-sendi/frozen-shoulder
• https://www.freepik.com