What Causes Frozen Shoulder?

The exact cause of frozen shoulder is unknown, but it is thought to be due to inflammation or scarring within the shoulder joint. This can occur as a result of injury, overuse, or disease. Frozen shoulder is more common in people with diabetes and thyroid problems. It is also more common in people who have had a previous shoulder injury.

Thyroid Disease and Frozen Shoulder

Frozen shoulder is more common in people with thyroid problems and other endocrine problems. The thyroid is a gland that produces hormones that regulate the body’s metabolism. When the thyroid is not functioning properly, it can cause a number of different health problems.

Thyroid disease can cause inflammation in the shoulder capsule, causing it to contract and form scar tissue.

Diabetes and Frozen Shoulder

Frozen shoulder is more common in people with diabetes. Diabetes is a condition that occurs when the body does not produce enough insulin or the body cannot use insulin properly. Insulin is a hormone that helps the body to regulate blood sugar levels. When blood sugar levels are high, it can damage the nerves and blood vessels. This can lead to a build-up of scar tissue around the shoulder joint, which can cause frozen shoulder.

Previous Shoulder Injury

Frozen shoulder is more common in people who have had a previous shoulder injury. Shoulder injuries can range from minor to severe. A minor shoulder injury, such as a sprain or strain, can heal on its own with time. However, a more severe shoulder injury, such as a dislocation or fracture, may require surgery to repair. After a shoulder injury, it is common for the joint to become stiff and painful. This can lead to the development of frozen shoulder.

Stress and a Dysregulated Central Nervous System

Many patients with Frozen Shoulder have reported that their frozen shoulder symptoms developed during a stressful period in their lives. Perceived stress impacts many functions of the neuroendocrine system. The neuroendocrine system is the interaction between the Central Nervous System and the endocrine systems in control of homeostasis, which is the maintenance of a stable internal environment.

Prolonged periods of stress, anxiety, and other emotions such as fear impacts many functions of the neuroendocrine system through experience-dependent plasticity, affecting the way the brain continues to grow and develop. As with Thyroid Disease, hormone imbalance can cause inflammation in the shoulder joint, causing frozen shoulder and other undiagnosed health issues.

Dysregulated Nervous Systems can be fixed by sleeping better, exercising regularly, grounding oneself emotionally and other holistic practices.