Is a Frozen Shoulder Making Everyday Life Difficult?

Are you struggling to lift your arm, reach behind your back or put on a coat? Perhaps simple things like washing your hair, fastening a bra or reaching into a cupboard have become painful and frustrating.

These can all be signs of a frozen shoulder.

Frozen shoulder can make everyday activities surprisingly difficult and may also disturb your sleep. Bowen Therapy offers a gentle, relaxing approach that may help ease some of the muscular tension and discomfort around your shoulder.

What is a frozen shoulder?

Frozen shoulder—also known as adhesive capsulitis—is a condition that causes pain and stiffness in the shoulder joint.

It usually develops gradually and can make it difficult to move your arm normally. Symptoms may include:

• Pain or aching in the shoulder

• Increasing stiffness

• Difficulty lifting your arm

• Pain when reaching behind your back

• Discomfort when getting dressed

• Pain that feels worse at night

• Difficulty sleeping on the affected side

• Reduced movement in the shoulder

Frozen shoulder can last for months and sometimes longer. It commonly progresses through three stages: a painful “freezing” stage, a stiff “frozen” stage and a gradual “thawing” stage as movement begins to improve.

Could Bowen Therapy help?

Bowen Therapy is a gentle, hands-on treatment using small, carefully placed movements over the muscles and connective tissue.

During a session, I will work around your shoulder, upper back, neck and arm.

There are short breaks between the Bowen movements, giving your body time to relax and respond. Nothing is forced, and I will not push your shoulder into painful positions.

Bowen Therapy may help to:

• Ease muscular tension around the shoulder

• Relax tight neck and upper-back muscles

• Encourage more comfortable movement

• Reduce general feelings of tension

• Support relaxation and better-quality sleep

• Complement a rehabilitation plan recommended by your GP or physiotherapist

Everyone responds differently, so results cannot be guaranteed. Bowen Therapy should be used as complementary support and not as a replacement for medical assessment or recommended treatment.

What happens at an appointment?

We’ll begin with a chat about your symptoms, general health and any medical treatment or physiotherapy you are receiving.

You’ll remain clothed during the treatment. The Bowen movements are gentle, and your shoulder will not be forced.

A few simple ways to care for your shoulder

Your GP or physiotherapist may recommend gentle exercises to help maintain movement. It is important to follow their advice and avoid forcing the shoulder through severe pain.

You may also find it helpful to:

• Keep the shoulder gently moving within a comfortable range

• Avoid sudden or forceful stretching

• Support your arm with a pillow when sleeping

Gentle Support in Bognor Regis

If shoulder pain and stiffness are making everyday activities difficult, you don’t simply have to put up with it.

I’m Karen Wheeler, a qualified Bowen therapist based at Mirage Health and Wellbeing in Bognor Regis.

If you’d like to find out whether Bowen Therapy may be suitable for you, please feel free to get in touch for a chat.

Bowen Therapy is a complementary therapy and is not intended to diagnose, treat or cure medical conditions.