Understanding Frozen Shoulder and Finding Relief in Edmonton
If you’ve ever experienced frozen shoulder, you know how frustrating and painful it can be. Simple tasks like reaching for something on a high shelf, putting on a coat, or even sleeping comfortably become daily challenges. The good news is that you don’t have to navigate this condition alone. At The Self Centre Massage & Wellness in Edmonton, we specialize in helping people with frozen shoulder regain their mobility and reduce pain through targeted massage therapy.
What Is Frozen Shoulder?
Frozen shoulder, medically known as adhesive capsulitis, is a condition characterized by stiffness, pain, and progressive loss of range of motion in the shoulder joint. According to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, frozen shoulder develops when the capsule of connective tissue surrounding the shoulder joint becomes thick and tight, restricting movement.
The condition typically progresses through three distinct stages:
Freezing Stage (2-9 months)
Pain gradually increases and shoulder movement becomes more difficult. This is often the most painful phase, and many people notice the pain is worse at night.
Frozen Stage (4-12 months)
While pain may improve slightly, stiffness remains severe and daily activities become increasingly challenging. Your shoulder feels “stuck” in place.
Thawing Stage (5-24 months)
Range of motion gradually improves, though full recovery can take considerable time without proper treatment.
Who Is at Risk for Frozen Shoulder?
Frozen shoulder affects approximately 2-5% of the population, according to research published in the Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery. Certain factors increase your risk:
- Age between 40-60 years old
- Women are more likely to develop it than men
- Previous shoulder injury or surgery
- Prolonged immobilization of the shoulder
- Systemic diseases like diabetes, thyroid disorders, or cardiovascular disease
- Parkinson’s disease or other conditions affecting movement
The Perimenopause and Menopause Connection
One factor that often goes unmentioned is the strong connection between frozen shoulder and hormonal changes. Women in perimenopause and menopause are significantly more likely to develop frozen shoulder than other populations. Research indicates that declining estrogen levels during this transition can affect collagen production and tissue elasticity, making the shoulder capsule more prone to thickening and adhesions.
At our Edmonton clinic, we see many women in their 40s and 50s who develop frozen shoulder during perimenopause or menopause. The hormonal fluctuations during this time can also contribute to increased inflammation throughout the body, which may play a role in the development of adhesive capsulitis. If you’re a woman in Edmonton experiencing perimenopause or menopause symptoms along with shoulder pain and stiffness, you’re not alone—and there are effective treatment options available.
How Massage Therapy Helps Frozen Shoulder
At The Self Centre Massage & Wellness, we take a comprehensive approach to treating frozen shoulder. While the condition can be stubborn, massage therapy offers significant benefits at each stage of recovery.
Reduces Pain and Inflammation
Therapeutic massage helps decrease pain by improving circulation to the affected area and reducing muscle tension in the surrounding tissues. When muscles around the shoulder are tight and guarded, they can amplify pain signals. Our registered massage therapists use specific techniques to release this tension, providing much-needed relief.
Improves Range of Motion
One of the primary goals in treating frozen shoulder is restoring mobility. Massage therapy works to break down adhesions in the shoulder capsule and surrounding soft tissues. Through techniques like myofascial release, deep tissue massage, and gentle mobilization, we help improve your shoulder’s range of motion progressively and safely.
Addresses Compensatory Patterns
When your shoulder isn’t moving properly, your body compensates by overusing other muscles in your neck, upper back, and opposite shoulder. This can lead to secondary pain and dysfunction. Our therapists address these compensatory patterns, treating the whole kinetic chain rather than just the affected shoulder.
Supports the Healing Process
Massage therapy enhances blood flow and lymphatic drainage, which are crucial for healing. Better circulation means more oxygen and nutrients reach the damaged tissues, while improved lymphatic flow helps remove inflammatory byproducts that contribute to pain and stiffness.
Reduces Muscle Guarding
Your nervous system naturally protects injured areas by creating muscle tension around them. While this is protective in the short term, chronic muscle guarding around a frozen shoulder can actually slow recovery and increase discomfort. Massage therapy helps calm the nervous system and reduce this protective guarding, allowing for better movement and healing.
What to Expect at The Self Centre Massage & Wellness
Your Initial Visit
When you visit us for frozen shoulder treatment in Edmonton, your registered massage therapist will evaluate your current range of motion, pain levels, and how the condition is affecting your daily life. We’ll also ask about your medical history, hormonal changes if relevant, and any factors that may have contributed to developing frozen shoulder.
Personalized Treatment Plan
Based on your answers, we’ll develop a customized treatment plan tailored to your specific needs and the stage of frozen shoulder you’re experiencing. Treatment in the freezing stage, when pain is highest, looks different than treatment in the thawing stage, when we can be more aggressive with mobility work.
Therapeutic Techniques
Your treatment may include a combination of:
- Myofascial release to address restrictions in the connective tissue
- Deep tissue massage to release chronic muscle tension
- Trigger point therapy to address painful knots in surrounding muscles
- Gentle joint mobilization to improve shoulder movement
- Swedish massage techniques to promote relaxation and circulation
- Stretching guidance to support your recovery between sessions
Progressive Approach
Recovery from frozen shoulder takes time and patience. We work progressively, respecting your pain levels while gently encouraging improvement. Some sessions focus more on pain relief, while others emphasize mobility gains. We adjust our approach based on how you’re responding to treatment.
Home Care Recommendations
We’ll provide you with exercises and self-care strategies to support your in-clinic treatments. Consistency between appointments is crucial for frozen shoulder recovery, and we’ll empower you with tools to continue your healing at home.
Combining Treatment Options for Best Results
While massage therapy is highly effective for frozen shoulder, combining it with other treatment modalities often produces the best outcomes. Many of our clients also work with physiotherapists for specific strengthening exercises, or see chiropractors for joint alignment. We encourage a collaborative approach to your care.
Some people also benefit from:
- Heat therapy before massage to relax muscles
- Ice after treatment if inflammation is present
- Gentle daily movement within pain-free ranges
- Ergonomic adjustments at work or home
- Stress management techniques, as stress can increase muscle tension
For women dealing with frozen shoulder during perimenopause or menopause, addressing hormonal health with your healthcare provider may also support your recovery. Some women find that hormone replacement therapy or other medical interventions, combined with massage therapy, help manage both their menopausal symptoms and frozen shoulder progression.
When to Seek Treatment
If you’re experiencing shoulder pain and stiffness in Edmonton, don’t wait for it to become severe before seeking help. Early intervention can prevent frozen shoulder from progressing to more advanced stages and may shorten your overall recovery time.
You should definitely seek treatment if you’re experiencing:
- Progressive loss of shoulder movement
- Pain that interferes with sleep
- Difficulty with daily activities like dressing or reaching
- Shoulder stiffness lasting more than a few weeks
- Pain in the shoulder that doesn’t improve with rest
Why Choose The Self Centre Massage & Wellness in Edmonton
Our Edmonton clinic specializes in treating complex conditions like frozen shoulder. Our registered massage therapists have extensive training in musculoskeletal conditions and understand the specific needs of frozen shoulder patients, including the unique considerations for women experiencing perimenopause and menopause. We take the time to listen to your concerns, thoroughly address your condition, and create a treatment plan that fits your lifestyle and recovery goals.
We’re committed to evidence-based practice, staying current with the latest research on frozen shoulder treatment while applying time-tested therapeutic techniques. Our goal isn’t just to reduce your pain—it’s to help you regain full function of your shoulder so you can return to the activities you love.
Take the First Step Toward Recovery
Living with frozen shoulder doesn’t have to mean months or years of pain and limited mobility. With proper treatment and guidance, many people experience significant improvement and regain much of their shoulder function.
At The Self Centre Massage & Wellness in Edmonton, we’re here to support your recovery journey every step of the way. Whether you’re in the early freezing stage or working through the thawing phase, massage therapy can provide meaningful relief and help you progress toward recovery.
Don’t let frozen shoulder control your life. Contact The Self Centre Massage & Wellness today to book your treatment and start your path to pain-free movement. Our experienced team is ready to help you understand your condition, develop an effective plan, and support you through recovery.
Your shoulders were meant to move freely—let us help you get there.
