Frozen Shoulder (aka Adhesive Capsulitis) can come unexpectedly or from prolonged immobility of the shoulder joint.
Frozen shoulder is characterized by stiffness and pain in the shoulder joint. For some it comes out of nowhere and gradually gets worse over time. The other common way that people get Frozen Shoulder is due to prolonged immobility of the shoulder joint due to previous injury or other medical conditions.
Frozen shoulder typically follows a predictable pattern. It starts gradually and stiffens over time eventually getting into the 'locked' or 'Frozen' position where motion is very limited and painful.
The shoulder joint capsule gets thickened and inflamed which leads to the capsule adhering or 'sticking' to itself. Hence the name 'Adhesive Caspulitis'.
Most people have no idea what to do when they get a frozen shoulder.
I have seen people get some relief from Cortisone shots if they get them early in the process. The problem is that many times people don't know whats going on or don't seek treatment until the shoulder is mostly frozen and shots don't typically help much at this point.
Typically I see people with Frozen Shoulder after they've had it for a while and nothing has helped. I have found that Laser Therapy is the ultimate tool to treat Frozen Shoulder for a couple of reasons.
Laser Therapy will directly help to reduce the inflammation in the joint capsule. Because the joint capsule is inflamed, the tissues become 'sticky' and lock together. Decreasing the inflammation in the joint capsule will greatly help the shoulder to heal and start to move freely.
Laser Therapy is gentle. When someone has a frozen shoulder it is typically is very painful to move or do any kind of exercises. When treating some with Frozen Shoulder I will Laser the shoulder joint as I passively move the arm to stimulate an increase in motion. This can be done very gently and usually painless.
Typically someone with Frozen Shoulder will see an improvement in range of motion and decrease in pain with each treatment.
If you or someone you know has been suffering with Frozen Shoulder, please share this blog post with them.
To set up a Complimentary Frozen Shoulder Pain Relief Evaluation, please call my office directly at 651-430-3229 or text at 651-491-9743 or click here.
Dr. Ross Hanson
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