Frozen Shoulder Treatment and Exercise Blog

Eliminating frozen shoulder is a complex endeavor and it will take a complete, well planned system to have true success. A question that is commonly asked by patients that are suffering from frozen shoulder is; “How fast can I get rid of my frozen shoulder?” There are many factors that influence just how fast success can be achieved. For one, it depends on how long the patient has had the problem as well as which areas of the shoulder are affected. However, with all of that said, a good program can speed up the recovery.

Frozen shoulder can actually be treated successfully or eliminated faster than many people think. For some, it can take less than a month if the patient is committed to following a progressive and aggressive program, completing all of the exercises and being consistent with their program. For others, it may take a little longer…again, depending on how bad the specific issues are and how long they have had the symptoms. It is important to realize that many people have been in treatment for their frozen shoulder for years and some have never found a successful treatment plan and live with the limitations of this problem for the rest of their lives.

While one to three months is much better than a year and always better than a lifetime, most people are anxious to get rid of their frozen shoulder faster. While I believe that in many people a frozen shoulder “cure” can be fast, it is very important to understand that frozen shoulder is an extremely complex issue and speeding up the rate of a full recovery can only happen if there is a solid plan followed. Many people will start to see some symptoms go away rather quickly, and while this is a good thing, it is important not to stop the plan or program at this point. Some people have made the mistake of stopping their treatment after their shoulder starts to feel better, thinking that they are on the road to a full recovery. However, to have real, long-term success the person must continue and finish the program in its entirety.

With all of the treatments out there for frozen shoulder, sometimes I get asked about massage and whether it is a good treatment for frozen shoulder sufferers. The answer to this question is a resounding “yes.” While the patient still needs to incorporate other treatment protocols into their program, massage is an excellent tool to help eliminate frozen shoulder. In fact, any program that does not have a soft-tissue component to it, is lacking in my opinion.

Massage techniques, when done correctly, help to work on soft-tissue restrictions that have developed in and around the shoulder. There are many different massage techniques that can and will help loosen up the soft-tissue limitations, increase range of motion, eliminate pain and bring back normal function to the shoulder. Combining good soft-tissue work with strengthening, range of motion exercises, and a good stretching program is the key to long term and fast success with frozen shoulder.

Muscles, tendons, ligaments, and other connective tissue are all part of the soft-tissue that surrounds a joint. When someone is suffering from frozen shoulder, some and many times all of this soft-tissue becomes tight, forming contractures, spasms, knots and other restrictions that limit range of motion, cause pain and decrease function. Working on these areas with targeted massage techniques is a sure way to speed up the recovery of frozen shoulder. It is important to always incorporate some kind of soft tissue work into the frozen shoulder program to address these issues. Massage is a great way to do this. It is important however, to make sure the massage therapist understands frozen shoulder and what to work on and why. Many people have learned how to perform their own soft-tissue work in the comfort of their own home pretty easily with the same good outcomes.