Frozen shoulder is a type of shoulder injury that can cause pain, stiffness, and reduced mobility in your shoulder joint. The medical term for frozen shoulder is adhesive capsulitis, and it refers to when the connective tissues in the shoulder joint become thickened, tight, or inflamed. When it comes to treating shoulder injuries, you want to find treatment options that reduce your pain and restore your range of motion. Frozen shoulder is a common shoulder injury that is more common in adults between 40 and 70 years old. Inflammation, repetitive motions, and prolonged periods of disuse can lead to frozen shoulder. Treatment for frozen shoulder includes a wide range of options, from noninvasive, conservative approaches to surgical interventions. Learn more about how to heal quickly with frozen shoulder treatment.
Do I Have Frozen Shoulder?
You might be wondering if your shoulder pain and discomfort is frozen shoulder. This shoulder injury can occur for a number of reasons. Signs and symptoms of frozen shoulder can start gradually and get worse over time. The shoulder joint is made up of bones, ligaments, and tendons surrounded by a capsule of connective tissue. Issues with this capsule can lead to frozen shoulder. When the connective tissue of the shoulder capsule thickens or tightens, it can constrict the healthy functioning of the joint.
If you participate in regular sports or activities that utilize your shoulder joints, then repetitive arm movements can cause inflammation and aggravate the shoulder joint. Recovering from other shoulder injuries can also lead to frozen shoulder. Shoulder injuries like a torn rotator cuff or broken arm could reduce your mobility. The connective tissues that support your shoulder joint could then thicken and tighten due to lack of use. Certain diseases like diabetes, thyroid issues, and cardiovascular disease can also put you at greater risk for developing frozen shoulder.
Stages of Frozen Shoulder
Signs and symptoms of frozen shoulder occur in three stages, and each stage can last for months at a time.
Freezing Stage
The first stage of frozen shoulder is the freezing stage. Symptoms of frozen shoulder will develop slowly during this time period. You may start to notice an increase in pain when you move your shoulder. Pain from frozen shoulder may also get worse at night and disrupt your sleep. Your typical range of motion in your shoulder may also become more limited.
Frozen Stage
The second stage is known as the frozen stage. At this point, the pain may have subsided, but the stiffness and discomfort continue. During the frozen stage, the shoulder may feel so stiff that moving your shoulder may become difficult or impossible. Frozen shoulder can restrict your ability to lift your arm, rotate your shoulder, and carry objects.
Thawing Stage
The final stage of frozen shoulder is the thawing stage. During this stage, you will slowly start to regain the range of motion in your shoulder. You will start to notice less stiffness in the shoulder joint and an improvement in your ability to use your shoulder.
How to Treat Frozen Shoulder
Treatment for frozen shoulder will involve managing your shoulder pain while working to preserve your range of motion in the affected shoulder. Here are five options for frozen shoulder treatment.
Pain Management
When you first start to notice pain in your shoulder, you may try over-the-counter pain medications. These medications can help temporarily ease your pain and may also address inflammation in your shoulder. However, pain medication alone will not address the root cause of your frozen shoulder. Other therapeutic techniques like gentle stretches and exercises can help naturally reduce the pain of frozen shoulder and help prevent stiffness that may exacerbate your pain.
Therapeutic Massage
Therapeutic massage can help treat frozen shoulder when done correctly. Visit your doctor or chiropractor for a safe and effective therapeutic massage that targets the affected shoulder. A physical therapist can also walk you through how to do massages for frozen shoulder with a foam roller, electronic massage tool, or self-massage.
Chiropractic Care
A chiropractor can also provide you with an all-natural and effective approach to relieving frozen shoulder pain and regaining your range of motion. Chiropractic care skips the medications and uses the body’s natural healing abilities to address your frozen shoulder symptoms. A chiropractor can help manage your pain during the freezing stage and improve your range of motion during the thawing phase. Your chiropractor will help expedite your recovery process by targeting trigger points and using gentle, hands-on chiropractic techniques.
Physical Therapy
A physical therapist can also help you recover from frozen shoulder. Physical therapy can help with pain management and address issues with mobility. A physical therapist has the knowledge and skills for how your body works and how to improve range of motion. Learn safe and effective stretches and exercises with a physical therapist to help you preserve and restore the range of motion in your shoulder joint. Stretches and exercises with a physical therapist will help you strengthen and stabilize the joint and help prevent further damage to your shoulder.
Surgery
In more severe cases of frozen shoulder, your doctor may recommend surgery. When more conservative approaches have failed to provide you with lasting pain relief and improved range of motion, more invasive options may be necessary. If your frozen shoulder doesn’t get better after a year, then your doctor may talk to you about steroid injections, shoulder manipulation, and surgery to remove scar tissue and adhesions on the joint.
Visit AICA Orthopedics in Snellville and learn more about how our team of doctors can treat frozen shoulder quickly and effectively. Our team of doctors includes orthopedists, chiropractors, physical therapists, and surgeons who work together to provide you with a comprehensive treatment plan. We offer diagnostic imaging tools like X-rays and CT scans on-site so you can get the tests you need and meet with your doctor in one convenient location. Don’t let frozen shoulder pain and discomfort keep you from living your best life. Come see our doctors at AICA Orthopedics in Snellville for shoulder injuries and treatment.