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Does This Sound Like You?
An ache in your shoulder seemed to just appear out of nowhere. After trying to rest it for several weeks, it seemed to get worse, not better. The pain interrupts your sleep and makes it hard to focus at work. A progressive stiffness sets in causing simple things like getting dressed, putting on a seatbelt or reaching into the refrigerator all seem challenging or even impossible to do with that arm. Further, you notice that you are starting to hold your arm in a protective position.
Your google search results in an overload of information which only adds to the anxiety of what has been happening with your shoulder. There were some exercises on YouTube, but those actually made it worse. Since there was no incident, injury or surgery related to your condition, family, friends and coworkers don’t seem to understand what you are going through. On top of it all, this is a terrible time to go through this as you already have so many other important things going on now in your life to worry about. This whole shoulder situation starts to take an emotional toll.
This is what the first month or two of having Frozen Shoulder is like. It can be extremely frustrating and painful. Additionally, it is often misunderstood by many healthcare practitioners, even other physical therapists. It is for these reasons that I hope to share some helpful insights that I have learned in my 20+ year career treating Frozen Shoulder so that you can find relief.
THE FROZEN SHOULDER FAQ'S:
What Actually is Frozen Shoulder?
Large joints like the shoulder have a flexible lining or capsule around them. With frozen shoulder, that capsule, for reasons not fully understood, becomes thickened, stiff and adhered. Hence, its true medical name, adhesive capsulitis. It not only involves the shoulder joint capsule and muscles but also the neck, upper back and even chest muscles.
Why Does Frozen Shoulder Happen?
Recent studies have found evidence that it is part of an autoimmune response gone awry turning on cells called cytokines that create inflammation. Stress and its additional contribution to inflammation can play a role in Frozen Shoulder as it tends to happen at a busy part of life. It affects women more than men, in their fifties. In some cultures, it is called “fifty year old shoulder.”
What's the Diagnosis, Doc?
It can often go misdiagnosed as a rotator cuff strain and therefore be mistreated. A thorough history and examination by a physical therapist of characteristic range of motion and strength deficits are how Frozen Shoulder is diagnosed. There are three phases; Freezing, Frozen and Thawing. Their duration varies per individual. The phase that one is in determines the best course of care at that time.
Tips For Now:
What About Injections?
For many conditions, I often advise against cortisone injections. But research has shown that in the early or “freezing phase”, a single cortisone injection can temporarily extinguish the hyper inflammatory process. This is certainly not the cure, but will allow a window of opportunity for the physical therapy treatments to have a better effect
Just Breathe And Relax:
As discussed, stress and holding the arm in a protective position can compound the effects of Frozen Shoulder. Daily relaxation and breathing exercises can minimize these secondary effects.
Just Move Any Way That You Can:
Bumping up your cardiovascular exercise helps reduce inflammation, alleviate stress as well as provide low load, longer duration rhythmical movement at the shoulder. Range of motion and pain relief have also been shown by exercising the non-symptomatic shoulder. Of course there are specific exercises for each individual which can be prescribed by a physical therapist, but staying generally active is a necessary foundation.
Frozen Shoulder Specialist in Madison, NJ
Having an Expert Assessment from a Doctor of Physical Therapy can help you identify weak points and then develop a plan for success.
A Frozen Shoulder Specialist Assessment with a Physical Therapist can:
- Tell you exactly what's going wrong and where your weak points are
- Help you devise a personalized program to address those weak points and begin to strengthen the area
- Learn how long treatment is needed before success and how to achieve that success
Better With Physical Therapy located within the Madison Area YMCA in Madison, NJ has been the most trusted physical therapy clinic in the area for over 15 years. They have helped hundreds of student-athletes prevent injury and improve their performance, so they can compete on the field and get back to loving their sport.
