Managing Frozen Shoulder Through Menopause
Frozen shoulder doesn’t just pop up out of nowhere—it often has underlying factors, and one of those surprising connections is with menopause. Women between the ages of 40 and 60 are more likely to develop frozen shoulder, and this demographic overlap has led researchers to believe there may be a hormonal link at play. While menopause already brings with it a range of physical and emotional changes, frozen shoulder is an unwelcome and often misunderstood addition to that list.
Frozen Shoulder and Physiotherapy - The True Story
You never realise how much you rely on your shoulder until something as simple as reaching for a mug or tying your shoelaces becomes a painful challenge. For many people, that challenge has a name: frozen shoulder. Also known as adhesive capsulitis, this condition feels like a gradual loss of freedom—your shoulder becomes stiff and painful, and its range of motion increasingly limited. But the good news? You don’t have to navigate it alone.
I first encountered a frozen shoulder through a close friend. A passionate swimmer in her 40s, her shoulder troubles began subtly—a twinge here and there—but soon escalated to the point where even brushing her hair was unbearable. Witnessing her battle inspired me to explore more about frozen shoulder and how we can empower ourselves to overcome it using a combination of physiotherapy, acupuncture, Chinese medicine and massage.
At our clinic, I’ve seen patients who thought they were stuck with their frozen shoulder for life, but with consistent and gradual physiotherapy, their shoulders ‘thawed’ faster than expected. The key is consistency and not pushing yourself beyond your limits—something physiotherapists guide you through every step of the way.
Do I have Hypermobility Syndrome?
Are you wondering if you have hypermobility syndrome? Hypermobility syndrome, also known as joint hypermobility syndrome (JHS), is a condition characterised by the ability of joints to move beyond the normal range of motion. If you suspect you may have hypermobility syndrome, there are several signs and symptoms to consider. First, a basic assessment is to evaluate your joint flexibility by performing the Beighton score, a simple test that measures hypermobility in various joints. Points are assigned based on specific criteria, such as bending your pinkie back beyond 90 degrees or placing your palms flat on the floor with straight legs. A higher score may indicate increased joint flexibility.
In addition to the Beighton score, pay attention to symptoms commonly associated with hypermobility syndrome. These may include joint pain, fatigue, and a tendency to develop injuries such as sprains and dislocations more quickly than others. Chronic pain is a crucial indicator, especially in the knees, shoulders, and other joints. If you experience recurrent joint problems, it's essential to consult with a healthcare professional. A rheumatologist or a specialist in connective tissue disorders can provide a comprehensive evaluation, considering your medical history, symptoms, and physical examination to determine if hypermobility syndrome is present.
5 of the Best Shoulder Surgeons in Melbourne
Are you looking for the best Shoulder Surgeon in Melbourne? Here’s our list of 5 of the best shoulder surgeons in Melbourne. Melbourne boasts a wealth of talent in the field of shoulder surgery, with incredible shoulder surgeons capable of operating on all areas of the body at a distinguished level on the world scale.
This list of Shoulder Surgeons in Melbourne highlights the quality of specialists in Melbourne dedicated to restoring mobility and improving the quality of life for patients. In this blog, we shine a spotlight on five remarkable shoulder surgeons who have earned acclaim for their expertise, innovation, and commitment to patient welfare. This is our list of 5 of the Best Shoulder Surgeons in Melbourne in 2024.
Should I see a Shin Splints Physio?
Are you wondering whether you should see a shin splints physio? Well, Seeing a shin splints physio can offer several benefits. First and foremost, they can provide an accurate diagnosis of your condition. Whether your shin splints stem from overuse, improper biomechanics, muscle imbalances, muscle weakness, or other factors, a physiotherapist can pinpoint the root cause, which is crucial for effective treatment.
Once the cause is identified, a shin splints physio can help long term to build strength in the weak muscle groups, (Normally the hip stablisers muscles gluteus medius, minimus and the obturators) and the foot and calf muscles and intrinsic muscles. A physio can then help shin splints with initial treatment, including soft tissue work, acupuncture for shin splints, massage for shin splints, and a gym and strength program for these muscles.
Can a Foot Physiotherapist help with Foot Pain?
Are you wondering if a Foot Physiotherapist can help with Foot Pain? The answer is yes. A Foot Physio is great at dealing with foot pain. A foot Physiotherapist is an experienced healthcare professional who specialises in assessing and treating various musculoskeletal and neuromuscular conditions, including those related to the feet. If you are experiencing foot pain, a foot physiotherapist can play a crucial role in diagnosing the underlying causes and developing a treatment plan to alleviate your pain and improve your foot function.
How Much Does a Physio Cost in Australia?
So, how much does a Physio cost? Without private health insurance coverage, the price of a first Physio session, which can last in some of the better clinics for 45 minutes (others have 30-minute Initial appointments, which can be too short for complex injuries), can range from $135 to $200 in Australia. For follow-up Physio sessions, most well-regarded clinics offer 30-minute follow-up sessions, which can vary between $100 and $125 depending on the level of the practitioner.
It's essential to inquire about how much does a physio cost with the clinic or provider you plan to visit, as they can provide you with accurate pricing information based on your individual needs and circumstances. Additionally, some clinics may offer packages or discounts for multiple sessions, so if you’re wondering how much a Physio costs? ask about any available options with the clinic of your choice.
Should I see a Powerlifting Physio?
Are you wondering whether you should see a Powerlifting Physio? Powerlifting injuries can be incredibly challenging to understand and assess. This is primarily because powerlifting injuries are generally not acute injuries like everyone would naturally think. Since powerlifters are trained in good movement form, they work hard to build accessory muscle mass and usually don’t 1RM test very often, it’s not that often that a powerlifter will cause an acute injury.
Instead, small changes that a powerlifting physio can pick up can slowly affect the body and load up certain areas. Done repetitively, these minor issues increase loading through certain muscle groups and joints, leading to dysfunction and pain. For example, if a powerlifter has a tight right-sided thoracic spine, tight right pectoral muscles, tight lattisimus dorsi and tight rotator cuff on that side, they can easily use the opposite hand more when benching to drive the bar through and away from the chest, because they are losing strength and range in the right side. This athlete might then develop left-sided pain from overload. So if a physiotherapist assesses and treats the left side, they will ignore why the issue came about, and the left-sided pain will return because the opposite side wasn’t addressed.