Frozen shoulder is one of those conditions that sneaks up on you. At first, it’s just a little stiffness. Then, before you know it, lifting your arm to grab something from a shelf or even putting on a jacket becomes a painful struggle. If you’re dealing with frozen shoulder, you already know how frustrating and limiting it can be.
Massage therapy is one of the most effective ways to help reduce pain, improve mobility, and speed up recovery from frozen shoulder. But what should you expect when you start treatment?
Understanding Frozen Shoulder
Also called adhesive capsulitis, frozen shoulder happens when the connective tissue around the shoulder joint becomes inflamed and stiffens. This leads to restricted movement, pain, and long-lasting discomfort. The condition usually develops in three stages:
- Freezing stage: Shoulder pain increases, and movement starts to become restricted.
- Frozen stage: Stiffness is at its worst, and daily movements are highly limited.
- Thawing stage: Mobility starts returning, and pain begins to decrease.
This process can take months or even years if left untreated. That’s why massage therapy plays a key role in breaking the cycle and restoring movement faster.
How Massage Therapy Helps Frozen Shoulder
Massage therapy isn’t just about relaxation—it’s a targeted treatment that works on muscles, fascia, and joint structures to relieve stiffness and improve circulation. Here’s how it helps:
- Breaks down adhesions – Scar tissue builds up around the shoulder joint, restricting movement. Massage helps loosen these adhesions so the shoulder can move more freely.
- Increases circulation – Improved blood flow helps bring nutrients and oxygen to the area, which aids healing and reduces inflammation.
- Reduces pain – By relaxing tight muscles and reducing nerve irritation, massage therapy helps decrease pain levels over time.
- Improves mobility – Gentle stretching and mobilization techniques help restore movement in the shoulder joint and surrounding muscles.
What to Expect from a Massage Therapy Session for Frozen Shoulder
If you’re seeing Tom at Muscle Therapy By Tom at The Gym Group Slough, expect a customized approach that fits your condition. No two frozen shoulders are the same, and treatment will be adjusted based on your mobility and pain levels.
Here’s how a typical session may go:
- Assessment: Tom will evaluate your shoulder’s range of motion, pain points, and tension areas.
- Deep tissue techniques: Working on the deltoid, rotator cuff muscles, and surrounding fascia to release tension and improve movement.
- Trigger point therapy: Identifying and releasing knots that contribute to pain and stiffness.
- Gentle joint mobilization: Slowly encouraging movement in the shoulder joint to restore flexibility.
- Stretching and movement guidance: Providing stretches and mobility exercises to help you maintain progress between sessions.
How Many Sessions Will You Need?
Recovery time varies from person to person. Some people notice significant improvements after a few sessions, while others may need ongoing treatment over several weeks or months. The key is consistency—regular massage therapy sessions combined with at-home mobility exercises will yield the best results.
Ready to Get Relief from Frozen Shoulder?
If you’re tired of dealing with stiffness and pain, it’s time to take action. Book a session with Tom at Muscle Therapy By Tom in Slough to start your recovery journey.
Visit muscletherapybytom.co.uk to schedule your appointment and get back to pain-free movement faster.