Treatment of Frozen Shoulder
The treatment for frozen shoulder mainly aims to manage pain and preserve as much shoulder mobility as possible.
Medications
Over-the-counter pain relievers such as aspirin and ibuprofen can help ease pain and reduce inflammation associated with frozen shoulder. In some cases, a healthcare provider might prescribe stronger pain relief and anti-inflammatory medications.
Therapy
A physical therapist can help you with exercises that improve the range of motion in your shoulder. Your commitment to these exercises is essential for regaining as much mobility as possible.
Surgical and other procedures
Most cases of frozen shoulder improve within a year and a half. However, for severe or persistent symptoms, additional treatments may include:
- Steroid injections: Injecting corticosteroids directly into the shoulder joint can help reduce pain and improve mobility, especially if administered early in the course of frozen shoulder.
- Shoulder Manipulation: This procedure requires general anaesthesia, which makes you unconscious and pain-free. The healthcare provider then moves the shoulder joint in various directions to help loosen the tight tissues.
- Surgery: Surgical treatment for frozen shoulder is rare, but if other options fail, surgery may be necessary to remove scar tissue from the shoulder joint. This usually involves making small incisions and using tiny instruments guided by a camera (arthroscopy).
EXERCISES FOR FROZEN SHOULDER
To enhance shoulder mobility, gentle stretching exercises can be beneficial for both treating and preventing frozen shoulder. It’s important to consult your doctor before starting any exercises for this condition. Take your time and modify or stop any exercise that causes significant pain.
- Pendulum stretches: Stand with your arms relaxed. Lean slightly forward, allowing your affected arm to hang down. If necessary, you can rest your unaffected arm on a table for support. Make large and small circles with your hanging arm, doing several circular motions in one direction and then a few in the opposite direction. As your pain decreases and your mobility improves, gradually increase the size of the circles. Once your symptoms improve, you can perform the exercises while holding a light weight of no more than 3 to 5 pounds.
- Cross-body reach: Place the hand of your uninjured arm on the elbow of your injured arm. Gently lift your injured arm across your chest until you feel a stretch in your shoulder. Hold this stretch for 15 to 20 seconds. Try to repeat this exercise 10 to 20 times each day.
- Towel stretch: Stand and hold each end of a 3-foot-long towel behind your back, with your affected arm grasping the bottom edge and your good arm holding the top edge. Slowly raise your unaffected arm up your back until you feel a stretch in your shoulder. Hold for 10 seconds. Repeat this a couple of times, twice every day for 1 week.
- Outward rotation: Stand with your arms at your sides and your elbows bent at a 90-degree angle. Hold each end of a rubber exercise band in your hands. Keeping your good arm still, gently pull your affected arm out to the side about 2-3 inches. Hold for 15 seconds and repeat this a few times daily.
- Inward rotation: Stand next to a closed door. Wrap one end of an exercise band around the doorknob and grasp the other end with your affected arm. With your elbow bent at a 90-degree angle and your upper arm by your side, pull the band toward your body about 2-3 inches. Hold for 15 seconds and repeat this a few times daily.
FROZEN SHOULDER PAIN RELIEF AT NIGHT
Here are some tips to help you sleep more comfortably with a frozen shoulder.
Ensure you have adequate support for your head and neck. Whether you sleep on your back or side, it’s crucial to have a pillow that keeps your head and neck aligned with your spine. If you sleep on your side, choose a thicker pillow to elevate your head, while back sleepers will find a slightly lower loft more beneficial. For those who sleep on their stomach, a relatively flat pillow is best.
Consider using extra pillows. Sleep on your unaffected side and place an additional pillow between your arms. This can help open up your chest and maintain shoulder alignment. If you don’t have a body pillow, try putting a smaller pillow in your armpit and hugging it to keep your shoulders from curling inward. A pillow between your knees can also assist in keeping your hips and spine aligned, preventing inward curling.
Keep your arms by your side. If you prefer to sleep on your back, position your arms alongside your body with your palms facing down. This position reduces pressure on your shoulder joints and provides a gentle stretch to your shoulder muscles.
Use heat therapy. Warm compresses can improve blood flow and relieve pain in your shoulder. If you decide to use a heating pad while you sleep, ensure it has safety features like an automatic shut-off. Alternatively, a microwaveable buckwheat or weighted beanbag can be a good option, as it will gradually cool down over time.
FROZEN SHOULDER THERAPIES
Manual therapy conducted by a physiotherapist can be a valuable approach for managing pain and enhancing range of motion. This therapy can significantly alleviate the discomfort linked to frozen shoulder.
Techniques like soft tissue mobilization, massage, and gentle stretching can help reduce muscle tension and improve circulation, which in turn lowers pain levels. In cases of frozen shoulder, adhesions (abnormal bands of tissue) form within the joint capsule, restricting movement.
Manual therapy techniques, particularly joint mobilizations, can assist in breaking down these adhesions and restoring normal joint function. By improving joint mobility, reducing pain, and addressing adhesions, manual therapy can aid the body’s natural healing processes. This method can accelerate recovery and help prevent long-term stiffness and disability.
FROZEN SHOULDER SELF CARE
- Make sure to engage in physiotherapy
- Do your exercises consistently
- Apply ice packs
- Think about using a pulley system
- Steer clear of extended rest: Keep your shoulder active.
