Frozen Shoulder Pain: Understanding, Diagnosis, Symptoms, and Causes

• Medical History and Symptoms Review: The doctor will ask about the patient’s symptoms, their duration, and any previous injuries or medical conditions that might be contributing to the shoulder pain and stiffness.
• Physical Examination: The doctor will perform a physical exam to check the shoulder’s range of motion. This involves both active and passive movements. Active movements are those the patient performs on their own, while passive movements are those the doctor performs by moving the patient’s arm.
• Imaging Tests: While frozen shoulder can often be diagnosed based on the medical history and physical exam, imaging tests like X-rays, MRI, or ultrasound may be used to rule out other problems such as arthritis or a rotator cuff tear.

Various Symptoms of Frozen Shoulder

Frozen shoulder typically develops in three stages, each with its own set of symptoms:

• Freezing Stage: This initial stage involves a gradual onset of pain, which worsens over time. As the pain increases, the shoulder loses its range of motion. This stage can last from six weeks to nine months.
• Frozen Stage: In this stage, the pain may begin to diminish, but the shoulder becomes stiffer. Performing daily activities becomes increasingly difficult. This stage can last from four to six months.
• Thawing Stage: During the final stage, the shoulder’s range of motion begins to improve. This stage can last from six months to two years.

Common symptoms throughout these stages include:

• Persistent, dull, or aching pain: Often located over the outer shoulder area and sometimes the upper arm.
• Restricted range of motion: Difficulty in moving the shoulder, especially with overhead activities.
• Pain at night: This can interfere with sleep, making it a particularly frustrating symptom.

How People Can End Up with Frozen Shoulder

Frozen shoulder can develop due to several factors, some of which are well understood while others remain unclear. Here are some common risk factors and potential causes:

• Immobilization: Shoulder immobilization for an extended period, such as after surgery or an arm fracture, can lead to frozen shoulder. Lack of movement can cause the connective tissues to tighten and contract.
• Age and Gender: People between the ages of 40 and 60 are at higher risk, with women being more likely to develop the condition than men.
• Systemic Diseases: Certain diseases can increase the risk of developing frozen shoulder. These include diabetes, hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism, cardiovascular disease, and Parkinson’s disease.
• Shoulder Surgery or Injury: A history of shoulder surgery or injury can increase the risk of developing frozen shoulder, especially if the shoulder was immobilized during the recovery process.
• Other Factors: Factors such as poor posture, repetitive strain, and prolonged shoulder inactivity can also contribute to the development of frozen shoulder.

Preventing Frozen Shoulder

While it is not always possible to prevent frozen shoulder, especially if it is related to underlying health conditions, there are steps individuals can take to reduce their risk:

• Maintain Shoulder Mobility: Regularly perform shoulder exercises to maintain mobility and flexibility, especially after an injury or surgery. Gentle stretching and range-of-motion exercises can be beneficial.
• Manage Underlying Health Conditions: Proper management of conditions such as diabetes or thyroid disorders can help reduce the risk of developing frozen shoulder.
• Ergonomic Adjustments: Ensure that workstations are set up ergonomically to avoid shoulder strain. Take regular breaks to move and stretch.
• Prompt Treatment of Shoulder Pain: Seek early treatment for shoulder pain or stiffness to prevent progression to frozen shoulder. Physical therapy and remedial massage can be particularly effective in maintaining shoulder function.

Treatment Options for Frozen Shoulder

If diagnosed with frozen shoulder, various treatment options are available to manage pain and restore shoulder mobility:

• Physical Therapy: Physical therapy is a cornerstone of frozen shoulder treatment. Therapists use specific exercises to stretch and strengthen the shoulder muscles, gradually improving range of motion.
• Medications: Pain relievers such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or corticosteroid injections can help manage pain and inflammation.
• Heat and Cold Therapy: Applying heat or cold packs to the shoulder can help reduce pain and inflammation.
• Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS): This therapy uses electrical currents to relieve pain.
• Surgery: In severe cases, arthroscopic surgery may be required to remove adhesions and scar tissue within the shoulder joint. This is usually considered a last resort when other treatments have failed.

Pain Relief Solution by Remedial Massage Expert

Understanding the condition, recognizing the symptoms, and seeking early treatment by an expert remedial massage therapist can help manage the pain and restore shoulder function. By maintaining shoulder mobility and managing underlying health conditions through remedial massage therapy, individuals can reduce their risk of developing frozen shoulder and ensure better shoulder health. Remedial massage therapy focuses on manipulating soft tissues to relieve pain, improve circulation, and enhance mobility, making it a valuable addition to the treatment and prevention strategies for frozen shoulder.

The Impact of Meticulous Massage Therapy on Severe Frozen Shoulder

Even people with severe frozen shoulder can experience significant pain relief and improved range of motion with the help of an expert massage therapist. When adhesive capsulitis occurs, healthy muscles around the glenohumeral joints often tighten up and stiffen as a protective mechanism. This response is known as a protective spasm. This is where massage therapy can be particularly effective. By targeting the right muscle tissue, including muscles like supraspinatus, infraspinatus, teres minor, teres major, subscapularis, deltoid, and pectoralis major, a skilled massage therapist can alleviate these protective spasms, reduce pain, and enhance shoulder mobility.

The careful manipulation of these muscle tissues not only helps to relieve tension but also promotes better blood flow, aiding in the healing process and providing a greater range of motion for the affected shoulder. If you suffer from frozen shoulder on the Gold Coast in Queensland, please visit Pain Relief Massage Clinic.