Frozen Shoulder Treatment and Exercise Blog

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.

Diagnosing frozen shoulder can be tricky. Although it is my feeling that most physicians can accurately classify this condition when they do a thorough exam, some people have symptoms of frozen shoulder and never realize that they do in fact have a frozen shoulder. Some physicians classify frozen shoulder when a person is limited in one area of range of motion, others only diagnosis it when almost all range of motion is compromised.

How can you tell if you have frozen shoulder? As I already said, the person in question shoulder always have their shoulder checked by a physician first. Shoulder injuries, and/or shoulder pain can lead to frozen shoulder, so it is important to do what is necessary to prevent it if you feel you are getting some of the symptoms associated with frozen shoulder. Many times, even a small shoulder injury can turn into a frozen shoulder. People with pain and/or a shoulder injury will stop moving their shoulder to help protect the area and help with healing. Over time, lack of movement can cause other problems such as adhesions, and knots, which will bind up the soft-tissue and decrease motion. Proper movement in the key in prevention. Stiffness can set in pretty quickly, and most people will see this as more reason not to move their shoulder. As time goes on, more pain and stiffness set in and more range of motion is compromised. It is an endless cycle many times.

If a person develops pain or has an injury to their shoulder, supervised movement should begin as soon as possible. Although there are times when complete immobilization is necessary, movement should begin as soon as it is safe to do so. A physical therapist, or physician will be the best person to know when the right time to start moving the shoulder should begin. Once you start to lose any kind of normal function or movement, you could be on your way to losing even more motion and function and this could be the beginning of a frozen shoulder syndrome. At this point the person needs to see a professional and get the shoulder moving safely to prevent any more lost function and movement from occurring.

When someone is diagnosed with frozen shoulder, one of the first things that goes through their mind is, “How did this happen anyway?” While every case is different and there are many causes for frozen shoulder, there are some common reasons that may lead to the development of this debilitating issue.

The main reason behind the development of frozen shoulder in most people is lack of movement. Usually, there is an injury or some kind of pain in or around the shoulder. As a protective measure, the person will stop using the arm and shoulder. Over time, this lack of movement causes stiffness, knots, adhesions in the joint and more pain. Soon, this will lead to a non-functioning shoulder and the person is classified with frozen shoulder syndrome. Although not everyone that has their shoulder immobilized will develop frozen shoulder, lack of movement is the common denominator.

Another issue that can cause a frozen shoulder to develop is certain muscles or muscle groups literally “turning off” and not working anymore. This can occur from injury and/or pain. When muscles do not work as they should, movement and function are compromised. Over time, the person looses the ability to move the shoulder through ranges of motion and more pain develops.

It should be obvious that many cases of frozen shoulder usually start off as something else, such as an injury and/or pain. This can lead the person to stop moving the shoulder or the shoulder just not working as it should. Many people think that they more “rest” they give the shoulder and arm, the better. Over time the person looses this waiting game and they find out that the longer they keep their arm and shoulder immobile the worse it actually can get. Finding a balance between rest and therapy is the key to preventing this from occurring. It is always advisable to seek out a physician or expert when you have an issue.

Many people erroneously think that only stretching will be enough to cure their frozen shoulder. While stretching is a very important aspect of any good frozen shoulder elimination program, it is only one component and true success is only derived when you combine stretching with other essential aspects.

Stretching is only part of the answer for eliminating frozen shoulder, but not the whole answer. It is important to realize that frozen shoulder is a very complex problem and there are many different things going on in and around your shoulder joint if you are suffering from frozen shoulder.

Besides stretching, proper strengthening of the shoulder joint and surrounding muscles is essential. While stretching will help increase range of motion of certain muscles and muscle groups, strengthening will enable the joint to move further through the range of motion, keeping the shoulder area strong and free of stiffness. Proper strengthening helps you to achieve greater range of motion in all directions because when the muscles and muscle groups are active and working properly, they will better be able to pull the arm through various directions and planes.

Another component that needs to be in every frozen shoulder elimination program, is quality soft-tissue work. The soft tissue consists of the muscles, tendons, ligaments and other connective tissue that is found in and around the joint. In people with frozen shoulder, this soft-tissue will shorten, form adhesions, knots and sticky scar tissues

Diagnosing frozen shoulder can be tricky. Although it is my feeling that most physicians can accurately classify this condition when they do a thorough exam, some people have symptoms of frozen shoulder and never realize that they do in fact have a frozen shoulder. Some physicians classify frozen shoulder when a person is limited in one area of range of motion, others only diagnosis it when almost all range of motion is compromised.

How can you tell if you have frozen shoulder? As I already said, the person in question shoulder always have their shoulder checked by a physician first. Shoulder injuries, and/or shoulder pain can lead to frozen shoulder, so it is important to do what is necessary to prevent it if you feel you are getting some of the symptoms associated with frozen shoulder. Many times, even a small shoulder injury can turn into a frozen shoulder. People with pain and/or a shoulder injury will stop moving their shoulder to help protect the area and help with healing. Over time, lack of movement can cause other problems such as adhesions, and knots, which will bind up the soft-tissue and decrease motion. Proper movement in the key in prevention. Stiffness can set in pretty quickly, and most people will see this as more reason not to move their shoulder. As time goes on, more pain and stiffness set in and more range of motion is compromised. It is an endless cycle many times.

If a person develops pain or has an injury to their shoulder, supervised movement should begin as soon as possible. Although there are times when complete immobilization is necessary, movement should begin as soon as it is safe to do so. A physical therapist, or physician will be the best person to know when the right time to start moving the shoulder should begin. Once you start to lose any kind of normal function or movement, you could be on your way to losing even more motion and function and this could be the beginning of a frozen shoulder syndrome. At this point the person needs to see a professional and get the shoulder moving safely to prevent any more lost function and movement from occurring.

Diagnosing frozen shoulder can be tricky. Although it is my feeling that most physicians can accurately classify this condition when they do a thorough exam, some people have symptoms of frozen shoulder and never realize that they do in fact have a frozen shoulder. Some physicians classify frozen shoulder when a person is limited in one area of range of motion, others only diagnosis it when almost all range of motion is compromised.

How can you tell if you have frozen shoulder? As I already said, the person in question should always have their shoulder checked by a physician first. Shoulder injuries, and/or shoulder pain can lead to frozen shoulder, so it is important to do what is necessary to prevent it if you feel you are getting some of the symptoms associated with frozen shoulder. Many times, even a small shoulder injury can turn into a frozen shoulder. People with pain and/or a shoulder injury will stop moving their shoulder to help protect the area and help with healing. Over time, lack of movement can cause other problems such as adhesions, and knots, which will bind up the soft-tissue and decrease motion. Proper movement in the key in prevention. Stiffness can set in pretty quickly, and most people will see this as more reason not to move their shoulder. As time goes on, more pain and stiffness set in and more range of motion is compromised. It is an endless cycle many times.

If a person develops pain or has an injury to their shoulder, supervised movement should begin as soon as possible. Although there are times when complete immobilization is necessary, movement should begin as soon as it is safe to do so. A physical therapist, or physician will be the best person to know when the right time to start moving the shoulder should begin. Once you start to lose any kind of normal function or movement, you could be on your way to losing even more motion and function and this could be the beginning of a frozen shoulder syndrome. At this point the person needs to see a professional and get the shoulder moving safely to prevent any more lost function and movement from occurring.
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