2024-12-16 17:00:00
Women who enter menopause, around the age of 50, suffer from a series of more or less well-known symptoms such as hot flashes, weight gain, hypertension, uncontrolled glucose levels… caused by decrease in estrogen. To these imbalances, however, we must add one which, in most cases, is not so well known but which is tremendously annoying.
We are referring to the so-called ‘frozen shoulder’, an anomaly that affects the shoulder, causing pain, and which can last for years. This time it is also the loss of estrogen that is responsible for the adhesive capsulitis that the patient suffers from large number of women in Spain when menopause begins.
‘Frozen shoulder’ and hormonal changes
This lesion that affects women over the age of 50, capsulitis, is caused by a inflammation in the connective tissue (hence the name, because a capsule forms) around the joint surrounding the shoulder. When inflamed, this condition causes a significant deficiency in arm mobility, which will impact your quality of life by preventing you from carrying out the most basic daily activities.
Experts report, in a certain way, the hormonal changes that occur during menopause due to the sudden drop in estrogen, with this sudden and painful inflammation.
This is because estrogen has a lot to do with the balance of connective tissue and the proper functioning of joints. By decreasing the quantity, increasing it gives the opposite effect musculoskeletal problems such as “frozen shoulder”.
This is how “frozen shoulder” syndrome manifests itself.
Capsulitis is an inflammation that usually occurs in several stages. The first is sudden, acute and usually appears during night rest. At another stage blockage occurs, when the woman suffering from it unable to move shoulder and, finally, when mobility finally begins to slowly return. It’s a bit like a roller coaster.
Women who suffer from this fairly common disorder should consult their doctor who, in almost all cases, will prescribe the physiotherapy treatmentwhere the professional will perform specific stretches and other movements focused on strengthening the area and recovering movement.
What can we do if we experience this syndrome?
In some cases, in addition to physical therapy, it may be indicated to carry out a hormone replacement therapy by an expert. In addition to professional help to speed up recovery (which can sometimes take up to three years), we at home can help with treatment.
Heat on the affected area can help blood circulation is smootherto reduce inflammation. We can use a heating pad or a hot water bottle. If we also try to follow an anti-inflammatory diet, without rapidly absorbed refined sugars and with slow carbohydrates, recovery will be better.
And once we have more or less recovered, we should not relax and stop doing the exercises we have been prescribed because the situation could recur within a few days. As a preventative measure, as soon as we start to notice it stiffness or pain in the shoulder joints, It is best to act as soon as possible.
References
HM Tlatoa Ramírez, FJ Morales Acuña, HL Ocaña Servín. ‘Update in Sports Traumatology: frozen shoulder’. Center of Physical Activity and Sports Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Autonomous University of the State of Mexico Toluca. https://www.elsevier.es/es-revista-revista-medicina-e-investigacion-353-articulo-actualizacion-traumatologia-deportiva-hombro-congelado-S2214310615300108
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