Frozen Shoulder Isn’t Just in Your Head (or Your Shoulder)

And it’s more connected to hormones than most doctors admit.

I remember the first time I recorded a hypnosis audio with my daughter sleeping in my arms. She was just a few months old, we were in that blurry postpartum haze - sleepless nights, constant feeding, body aches and endless laundry.

What pushed me to record that day wasn’t ambition. (Ambition can wait until my daughter gets older.) It was pain. A sharp, relentless ache in my shoulder that made sleep impossible. I was mentally prepared for the sleep deprivation, I knew that came with the newborn territory.

But this? Even when I had time to sleep, I couldn’t... because of the pain. No way. I was determined to make it stop.

My daughter lay on my chest, making the cutest little sounds (all recorded in the audio, hahaha). And I was ready to kick this random pain’s butt with a self-hypnosis track, so I could finally sleep - without needing heavy painkillers, which weren’t ideal while breastfeeding.

And it worked. I hypnotised myself into deep, pain-free sleep. My body began to heal - inflammation reduced, circulation improved, and the joint regained movement as the surrounding tissue began to relax. (Full disclosure: I also supported my recovery with movement and supplements - but for night-time relief, hypnosis was the only thing that truly helped.)

I was already committed to hypnotherapy, but using it in such a raw, personal moment felt like magic. The body listens when we know how to speak its language.

Years later, I learned what likely caused the pain in the first place: a sudden drop in oestrogen. Common in postpartum. And again during perimenopause and menopause.

Which brings me to something most women aren’t being told - even though so many are quietly suffering through it: Frozen shoulder is real. And it mostly affects women.

What is frozen shoulder?

Also known as adhesive capsulitis, frozen shoulder is an inflammatory condition that causes stiffness, pain, and eventually loss of mobility in the shoulder joint. It’s not caused by injury. And trying to “push through it” can make it worse.

It affects up to 5% of the population  -  but three-quarters of those affected are women. Most between the ages of 40 and 60. The same age range as perimenopause and menopause.The same hormonal shifts as postpartum.

Coincidence? Probably not.

The hormone connection

We hear a lot about hot flashes, mood swings, and low libido during menopause. But joint pain and frozen shoulder rarely get mentioned  -  and even more rarely gets taken seriously.

But the science is catching up. Studies now show that oestrogen plays a role in the health of our joints and connective tissues. As levels drop, inflammation can rise  -  and the shoulder capsule is particularly vulnerable.

New research suggests that menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) may reduce the risk of frozen shoulder. It’s still early days, but at least the conversation is finally happening.

Why this matters

I work with many women in midlife who are juggling families, businesses, and their own personal growth  -  all while feeling betrayed by their bodies. They’re told the pain is in their head. That it’s stress. That it’s “just part of getting older.”

And while those can be part of the equation, they’re not the whole picture. So often, the hormonal shifts, the inflammation, the real physical changes are left out of the conversation. No wonder so many women feel frustrated and dismissed (and sleep-deprived, again).

I felt that too, all those years ago, holding my daughter and wondering what on earth was happening to my shoulder - was it an old handball injury flaring up? Did I sleep in the wrong position? Why now?

Here is what I know now:

Trust your body's messages. It’s wiser than you think  -  and it’s on your side. Always working to support you in your mission, whatever that may be. The symptoms that seem random? The signals that show up out of nowhere? They are messages and strategies your body uses to keep you safe. When you’re in a deeply relaxed state, you can start to decode them. Even without outside help - if you're tuned in enough.

If you think you might have frozen shoulder:

• Trust what you're feeling. 

  If your shoulder has become stiff, painful, or hard to move  -  especially without a clear injury  -  it's worth paying attention.

• Talk to someone who will take you seriously. 

  Mention hormonal changes. The timing matters.

• Don’t push through the pain. 

  That "no pain, no gain" mindset? Not helpful here. Gentle movement, physio, and rest are more effective than forcing it.

• Look at the hormonal connection. 

  Whether you’re postpartum, perimenopausal or somewhere in between, fluctuating oestrogen could be part of the picture.

• Support your nervous system. 

  Hypnotherapy can help ease pain, make sense of the symptoms, soften the body's stress response, and support deeper rest. Especially when sleep is hard to come by.

Please don’t ignore your pain. You don’t need to push through it. And you definitely don’t need to wait until it gets unbearable to ask for support.

Whether it’s frozen shoulder or something else your body is trying to say - you're allowed to listen. You're allowed to rest. You're allowed to heal in a way that actually feels supportive.

And if you’d like help making sense of it all  -  I’m here.