Frozen Shoulder and Menopause: What You Need to Know
If you’re going through perimenopause or menopause and suddenly find your shoulder stiff, painful, and difficult to move, you’re not imagining things. Frozen shoulder (also known as adhesive capsulitis) is more common during this stage of life, especially in women between ages 40–60.
Understanding why this happens—and how massage therapy and movement can help—can make a big difference in easing your discomfort and regaining mobility.
What Is Frozen Shoulder?
Frozen shoulder is a condition where the connective tissue around the shoulder joint (the capsule) becomes inflamed and tight. This restricts movement, making everyday activities like reaching overhead, fastening a bra, or even combing your hair painful and difficult.
It typically progresses through three stages:
Freezing Stage – Increasing shoulder pain and stiffness
Frozen Stage – Pain may decrease, but movement is severely limited
Thawing Stage – Gradual improvement in mobility and function
The entire process can last from several months to 2–3 years if left untreated.
Why Does Frozen Shoulder Happen During Menopause?
While frozen shoulder can occur in anyone, research shows it’s significantly more common in women around the time of menopause. Here’s why:
Hormonal Changes: Declining estrogen levels can affect connective tissue elasticity and joint health, making tissues stiffer and more prone to inflammation.
Metabolic Shifts: Perimenopause and menopause are associated with changes in blood sugar regulation and thyroid health—both linked to a higher risk of adhesive capsulitis.
Inflammation: Hormonal fluctuations may contribute to systemic inflammation, which can affect joint capsules.
Sedentary Lifestyle or Injury: Shoulder immobility due to minor injuries, postural strain, or inactivity may trigger or worsen frozen shoulder during this time.
Signs and Symptoms of Frozen Shoulder
Gradual onset of shoulder stiffness
Pain with reaching overhead, behind your back, or across your body
Decreased range of motion (lifting your arm, rotating your shoulder)
Discomfort at night, making it difficult to sleep
If these symptoms sound familiar, it’s important to get assessed so you can start managing the condition early.
How Massage Therapy Can Help
Massage therapy can be an excellent complement to medical care and physical therapy for frozen shoulder. While it won’t “cure” the condition overnight, it can:
Reduce Muscle Tension – Surrounding muscles like the deltoids, rotator cuff, and upper traps often tighten to protect the shoulder, adding to discomfort.
Improve Circulation – Increasing blood flow helps reduce inflammation and support healing.
Support Mobility – Gentle myofascial release and stretching techniques can help maintain or improve range of motion as the shoulder recovers.
Ease Stress – Menopause itself can be a stressful transition; massage helps regulate the nervous system, making it easier to manage pain and sleep disturbances.
Other Ways to Support Healing
Movement & Exercise: Guided mobility exercises from a physical therapist or trainer can help prevent further stiffness.
Heat Therapy: Applying heat before stretching can ease muscle tightness.
Breathwork & Stress Management: Stress can worsen pain perception—deep breathing and relaxation techniques are powerful tools.
Medical Support: In some cases, your doctor may recommend anti-inflammatory medication, corticosteroid injections, or physical therapy.
You Don’t Have to Push Through Alone
Frozen shoulder can feel frustrating—especially during perimenopause and menopause, when your body is already going through so many changes. But you don’t have to accept stiffness and pain as your “new normal.”
With the right combination of massage therapy, guided movement, and supportive self-care, it is possible to reduce pain, restore mobility, and get back to the activities you love.
If you’re experiencing frozen shoulder during perimenopause or menopause, our clinic is here to help. Book a session with one of our skilled therapists and let’s create a personalized plan to support your recovery.