Shoulder Freeze? And What About It?
Introduction
Every day is for the thief–but one sharp, unforgettable day is for the owner.
Some people steal from their own bodies without even knowing it, especially when it comes to shoulder pain. Each morning, you might feel a twinge while zipping up a dress or reaching for your wallet. It’s there, but manageable. So you move on.
Until one day, you don’t.
That same movement brings pain–real pain. Not just discomfort, but something that stops you in your tracks. That deep, jarring resistance?
That might just be frozen shoulder (adhesive capsulitis)–and your body won’t let you forget.
Why Does The Shoulder Freeze?
Every part of the body is designed to protect itself from harm–and the shoulder is no different.
Surrounding the shoulder joint is a capsule: a soft, flexible sleeve that helps the joint move freely and smoothly. But sometimes, even a small irritation (like poor posture, joint stress, or subtle overuse) sends the body into protection mode. It reacts by releasing inflammatory signals, like security guards rushing in to defend the joint. But instead of calming things down, they overdo it. The capsule begins to tighten, swell, and thicken–and the more it does, the more movement becomes restricted and painful.
In other cases, frozen shoulder can occur after: surgery (especially when the arm is kept still for too long), prolonged bed rest, a minor injury that caused you to stop using the arm; or for no clear reason at all. And sometimes, it’s linked to medical conditions like: diabetes, thyroid disorders and hormonal imbalances– which tends to increase low-grade inflammation and slow down the healing process, causing the shoulder to lock up “just in case.”
All of this is your body trying to help–not to punish you, but to protect you. It just ends up doing a bit too much and freezes the joint in the process.
So what are the signs that your shoulder might be freezing? Let’s look at that in the next section.
Signs That Your Shoulder Might Be Freezing
Stiffness That Creeps In
Deep, Achy Pain–around the shoulder
Worse at Night
Difficulty With Basic Movements–like reaching overhead, putting on a shirt or bra, washing your hair or reaching behind to grab something
Both Active and Passive Movement Are Limited
It Gets Worse Before It Gets
Here's a quick test you can carry out to know if you have a frozen shoulder or not.
Stand in front of a mirror
Try lifting both arms overhead at the same time
If one shoulder stops halfway–or moves awkwardly with a shrug–that’s a red flag.
Final Thoughts
Frozen shoulder may sound dramatic–and honestly, sometimes it is. But it’s also common, treatable, and something your body didn’t mean to get wrong. It just got a little overprotective.
The good news? With the right physiotherapy, proper exercises, and some patience, your shoulder can regain its freedom–and you can get back to moving without wincing. Don't ignore the early signs. That little twinge today could save you months of discomfort tomorrow. Stay tuned for our DIY section.
📞 Need help or want to start your rehab journey? Reach out to us at The Physio Diary: +2348126973878
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