Has putting on clothes or reaching for something on a shelf become more difficult? Do you find yourself keeping your shoulder as still as possible to avoid the pain? If so, you may have frozen shoulder syndrome, a difficult and long-lasting but very treatable condition. Read on to learn more about frozen shoulder causes and what you can do to both reduce pain and increase range of motion.

What is frozen shoulder?

Frozen shoulder syndrome, also called adhesive capsulitis, is in many ways a mysterious ailment; the exact reasons why it develops are unknown. What we do know is that the pain and stiffness associated with a frozen shoulder originate in the shoulder joint capsule. This is the group of ligaments, or connective tissues, that attaches your shoulder to your arm. When the capsule becomes stiff or swollen, your shoulder freezes.

Pain caused by frozen shoulder syndrome progresses much differently than shoulder pain caused by other conditions. To start, it has three stages. The first and most painful stage, the freezing stage, is characterized by increasing pain and decreasing range of motion. The freezing stage can last anywhere from six weeks to nine months.

Afterward, you will move into the frozen stage. Your pain will lessen, but immobility and stiffness increases. This stage generally lasts from four weeks to six months. Finally, in the thawing stage, symptoms begin to ease; your pain recedes and range of motion gradually improves. The thawing stage can take as little as six months and as long as two years.

All told, frozen shoulder syndrome takes anywhere from one to three years to run its course. Women are more likely to develop this condition than men, and middle-aged individuals are at greater risk than younger or older individuals.

What causes frozen shoulder? 9 potential causes

Some common, and uncommon, frozen shoulder causes are listed below. But even if you don’t fit the criteria described here, your shoulder can still freeze. As mentioned previously, the science behind frozen shoulder syndrome is still very much a mystery. If you think you may be suffering from this condition, talk to your doctor.

1. Diabetes

Diabetes occurs when your body either fails to produce insulin, which helps you digest glucose, or cannot properly absorb the insulin it makes. Early symptoms of diabetes include fatigue, weight loss, increased appetite and thirst, and more.

Diabetes can wreak havoc on your body, especially when it’s left untreated. In fact, diabetics are five times more likely to develop frozen shoulder syndrome than people without diabetes.

2. Injury

When you hurt your shoulder, your doctor will often (and correctly) tell you to immobilize it for a while. This is to ensure that you don’t reinjure your shoulder while it’s trying to heal. In some cases, however, this period of immobility can cause your shoulder to freeze.

It doesn’t matter what kind of shoulder injury you have. Any injury may leave you susceptible to frozen shoulder syndrome. This is especially true if you don’t receive proper post-injury treatment. If you have recently recovered from a shoulder injury, it’s important to go to physical therapy and to follow the exact regimen your physical therapist gives you.

3. Thyroid problems

The thyroid is a gland in the front of your neck. When your doctor feels your neck during a physical exam, one of the things they are checking for is swelling in the thyroid gland.

The thyroid’s main job is to produce hormones that give you energy and keep your organs functioning. When your thyroid ceases to function efficiently, it can affect not only your overall health but your shoulder specifically. A 2008 study found that, out of 126 new frozen shoulder patients, 13.5% suffered from a thyroid disorder.

Hyperthyroidism occurs when the thyroid produces too many hormones. Common symptoms include swelling, elevated heart rate and blood pressure, and weight loss. Hypothyroidism is the exact opposite condition: your thyroid doesn’t produce enough hormones. It can result in fatigue, depression, dry skin, and other symptoms.

4. Arthritis and other inflammatory conditions

Arthritis is a painful condition that causes inflamed, stiff joints. It is very common, with over 100 types that affect over 54 million adults in the United States. If it affects the shoulder, arthritis can increase your risk of frozen shoulder syndrome. Your chances of developing arthritis increase with age, but some kinds of arthritis affect even children.

Arthritis is not the only chronic condition that leads to joint stiffness and swelling. Fibromyalgia, lupus, polycythemia vera, and others can affect the shoulders. This in turn increases your chances of developing frozen shoulder syndrome.

The three non-arthritis conditions listed in this section have joint pain in common, but each feels quite different in other respects.

Fibromyalgia is a chronic pain condition that is accompanied by fatigue and mood disorders; symptoms may worsen during cold weather. No one knows how or why fibromyalgia develops.

Lupus is a disorder in which your autoimmune system attacks healthy tissue rather than harmful entities like viruses. This leads to a whole host of health problems, including joint stiffness, fevers, depression and anxiety, and poor circulation.

Polycythemia vera is a rare bone cancer characterized by fevers, vertigo, headaches, weight loss, and other symptoms.

5. Cardiovascular disease

Cardiovascular disease is a catchall term for various heart ailments, including heart disease, arrythmia, valve problems, stroke, and others.

One big reason why cardiovascular disease contributes to frozen shoulder syndrome is immobility. Like with shoulder injuries, recovering from cardiovascular disease often involves keeping your arm still for a period of time.

For example, if you’ve had a stroke, you may not be able to move your arm at all. And if you’ve had heart surgery, you will need to take it easy for several weeks, after which you will slowly build up to a normal activity level. Physical therapy can help you recover from both of these circumstances.

Interestingly, according to the same 2008 study mentioned earlier, heart-related conditions like hypertension and high cholesterol were not shown to increase patients’ risk of frozen shoulder syndrome.

Other causes

Other frozen shoulder causes include the following:

• Hormone imbalance
• Parkinson’s disease
• Tuberculosis
• Dupuytren’s contracture

What are the first signs of frozen shoulder?

One of the first frozen shoulder symptoms people notice tends to be a dull pain or ache that flares up any time they try to move the shoulder. You may also have neck pain and arm pain, because your neck and arm are so close to your shoulder. Sometimes, frozen shoulder symptoms get worse at night, making it difficult to fall asleep.

While reduced range of motion is a hallmark of frozen shoulder syndrome, it is not associated with the early stages of the condition. You probably won’t notice your range of motion decreasing until later on. This is because your range of motion gets worse the longer the scar tissue builds up in the shoulder capsule, and the longer you keep your shoulder still in response to the pain.

If you think you may have frozen shoulder syndrome, make an appointment with your doctor so they can examine and diagnose you. A frozen shoulder test involves multiple parts. First and foremost, you doctor will assess your range of motion by moving the shoulder in different directions. They will ask for your medical history and may even order X-rays. Other tests, such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), are rarely used in frozen shoulder cases.

Once your doctor feels comfortable making a diagnosis, they will prescribe treatment. This will likely include some of the remedies listed below.

What are common frozen shoulder treatments?

Frozen shoulder syndrome is frustrating and very painful, but it is treatable. The key is patience. Recovering from a frozen shoulder is a long process. It can take months or even years to regain full, pain-free range of motion. Just remember that even your worst days are progress, bringing you one step closer to recovery.

You should, of course, do your due diligence and research frozen shoulder treatments to see which ones sound like a good fit for your lifestyle. However, be sure to talk to your doctor before starting any frozen shoulder treatments. Not all treatments are safe for all people. Work closely with your physician to devise a plan that’s safe and effective for you.

Stretches and exercise

The really insidious part of frozen shoulder syndrome is that the pain makes you want to move your shoulder as little as possible, and yet regular movement is a critical part of treatment! Not moving your shoulder allows scar tissue to develop. The more scar tissue you have, the more limited your range of motion becomes.

That’s why it’s so important to exercise your shoulder on a regular basis (if approved by your doctor). Start slow and easy, and don’t push yourself too hard. If you feel pain, stop at once. Exercising may be difficult at first, since moving your shoulder is so painful. But stick with it! Frozen shoulder syndrome does get better over time, and your exercise routine will help your shoulder improve quicker.

Massage

Massage is another good way to help loosen up a frozen shoulder. You can get professional massages if you have the money and the inclination, but self-massage can help as well.

Teach yourself a few techniques and set aside some time every day to go through them. Many self-massage techniques can be performed with no special equipment, or with the aid of common household items, like a hand towel. Again, check with your doctor before starting massage treatment.

Heat/cold therapy

A simple but reliable method of pain relief is the strategic application of heat and cold. Heat therapy works best if you are looking to increase range of motion. Cold therapy is better for decreasing inflammation and swelling. As such, each can provide relief for different frozen shoulder symptoms.

There are many products on the market designed to provide heat or cold therapy. You may certainly use these if you wish, but homemade applications can work as well. Some ice wrapped in a towel or a hot shower will feel very good after a long day!

Medication and injections

Over-the-counter medications can help manage frozen shoulder pain.

If these medicines aren’t strong enough to ease your symptoms, your doctor may be able to prescribe something stronger. In some cases, this involves corticosteroid injections, which reduce inflammation. You can learn more about steroid injections in the following procedure video.

Physical therapy

Physical therapy combines several treatment options into an individualized plan. A physical therapist will assess your shoulder and provide guidance on how to make your recovery as smooth as possible.

After the initial appointment or two, you will likely be able to continue many recommended treatments—such as special exercises and stretches—at home by yourself.

Other treatments

If the above treatments aren’t working for you, there are more radical treatments you can try. Hydrodilation, for example, involves injecting fluid into the shoulder, causing the shoulder capsule to swell and loosen up.

In rare cases, surgery may reduce scar tissue and restore mobility. There are two surgical procedures typically performed, either independent of or in conjunction with each other, on frozen shoulder patients: arthroscopy and manipulation.

During an arthroscopy, your surgeon cuts a small incision into the worst of the scar tissue, increasing your range of motion. Manipulation is a procedure during which the doctor anesthetizes you and moves your shoulder around until the accumulated scar tissue tears, allowing freer movement.

Post-surgery, you will have to undergo physical therapy to restore full range of motion. Patients who undergo these surgeries generally see good results. However, these treatments are a last resort to be used only if other treatments have failed. Most people with frozen shoulders recover well with more conservative remedies.

If you live in Arizona and need help managing your frozen shoulder pain, click below to get in touch with one of our pain specialists at Arizona Pain. We can help.

Shoulder pain from a frozen shoulder can make it difficult to move, but a frozen shoulder will typically only worsen if you stop using it. This is when a frozen shoulder massage or stretches can be beneficial. While it may be difficult, especially at first, keep moving in order to keep your shoulder from completely freezing. Always check with your doctor first, but once you get the okay, here are some massages and stretches you may be able to do.

Do I have frozen shoulder syndrome?

Frozen shoulder syndrome (adhesive capsulitis) is a condition that occurs when the range of motion in your shoulder joint is so limited that it feels almost as if the shoulder is frozen in place. At the extreme end of this condition, patients are unable to move their shoulder at all. There may be intense shoulder pain as a result, and daily activities may be impossible to complete.

The cause of this type of pain is usually trauma, repetitive motions, or disuse. If a person stops using their shoulder due to pain or injury, it will naturally become stiff. Chronic health conditions such as diabetes or stroke may also cause someone to stop using their shoulder. Scar tissue can begin to develop in the shoulder capsule, effectively “freezing” it in place. The shoulder capsule then becomes inflamed and extremely painful to move.

If you believe you have a frozen shoulder, your doctor will do a thorough medical exam. This may include X-rays, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), or ultrasound. You will also need to provide a detailed medical history that focuses on previous injuries or family history of medical conditions that put you at a higher risk for developing frozen shoulder syndrome.

Risk factors

While anyone can develop frozen shoulder syndrome, it occurs most often in people between the ages of 40 and 70. Other risk factors of frozen shoulder syndrome include:

• Gender: Women are more likely than men to have frozen shoulder syndrome.
• Injury or immobility: Rotator cuff injuries, broken arms, stroke, or recovery after surgery on the arm, hand, or shoulder itself can all result in prolonged disuse. This can lead to frozen shoulder syndrome.
• Disease: Doctors are not sure why certain diseases put patients at risk. These diseases include diabetes, hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism, cardiovascular disease, Parkinson’s disease, and tuberculosis. Diabetes in particular increases your risk. Ten to 20% of diabetes patients will develop this condition at some point.

Stages of frozen shoulder syndrome

There are three stages to frozen shoulder syndrome, each of which has its own symptoms.

Stage 1: Freezing

As this stage begins, patients may experience increasing pain in their shoulder accompanied by decreasing range of motion.

In response to the increased pain, patients may stop moving their shoulder, which only exacerbates the condition. This stage can last anywhere from six weeks to nine months.

Stage 2: Frozen

During this stage, patients may not experience much pain, but movement may become impossible.

Range of motion is greatly diminished or disappears completely, even to lift the arm up a few inches. Daily life becomes challenging during this stage.

Stage 3: Thawing

This recovery period of frozen shoulder syndrome can last anywhere from six months to two years, depending on the severity and amount of scar tissue built up.

Shoulder range of motion gradually returns to normal. Pain decreases substantially or is eliminated entirely once inflammation is under control.

How frozen shoulder massage or stretches can help

Massage therapy and routine stretches can significantly improve your pain associated with frozen shoulder syndrome.

By increasing blood flow to the area, your muscles can relax and inflammation will improve. This can reduce swelling and tenderness, not just in the shoulder, but also in the surrounding area. The decrease in pain typically leads to increased range of motion.

How to perform a frozen shoulder massage yourself

While massages are beneficial for frozen shoulder, it may not be possible to get them from a professional on a regular basis. Professional massages can be expensive and time consuming, making it difficult to maintain. For this reason, many people learn how to perform a frozen shoulder massage at home.

Note: Make sure to check with your doctor before adding any of these massages to your routine.

To start, one of the best ways to perform a shoulder massage is by using a foam roller. Place it underneath the armpit of your affected arm and lean on a counter or table. Extend your arm out as if you’re reaching for something and gently roll back and forth to loosen the muscles in your shoulder. You can also use this tool to gently massage your shoulder by placing it in between your shoulder and neck. See an example of this in the following video.

If you prefer not to use a foam roller, an effective method of massage for frozen shoulder involves massaging the arm and shoulder with your good hand. While you massage the shoulder muscles, slowly move your arm through a wide range of motion to gently stretch the muscles in your shoulder, as well as the surrounding area.

Some patients also find relief by using various electronic massage tools. They come in different shapes and sizes and usually operate with pulsating or vibrating movements. This can put pressure on trigger points in your shoulder, easing tension and improving circulation in the area. If you have limited range of motion because of the pain you’re experiencing, this can be a helpful option.

10 frozen shoulder stretch routines

As with any physical routine, talk to your doctor before taking up a new regimen. While it’s good to push yourself to recover, it’s important to avoid further injury.

Try the following frozen shoulder stretches at home once approved. Repeat each ten to 20 times per day, according to your own pace and pain level.

1. Pendulum stretch

For those with extreme pain, the pendulum stretch is a way to naturally relieve the day-to-day strain on your shoulder muscle.

Allow your affected arm to hang down and gently move in a circular motion. As you make progress in your recovery, feel free to gradually widen the circle or add a small dumbbell to your routine. It helps to put one hand on a table or hard surface while leaning over.

2. Fingertip walk

Start by facing a wall, standing about three-quarters of an arm’s length away. Starting at waist level, slowly walk your fingers up the wall until you’ve gone as high as your pain level will allow.

Your elbows should be slightly bent and your fingertips should be doing the work (not your shoulder).

3. Towel stretch

Hold each end of a hand towel behind your back in a horizontal position. Use your good arm to pull the affected arm upward, giving it a lengthening stretch.

If you feel like you need a deeper stretch, drape the towel over your good shoulder and use your affected arm to gently pull the towel down towards your lower back.

4. Chest opener

Stand with your affected shoulder near a wall, about one foot away. Place your hand against the wall at about chest level. Keeping the palm of your hand flat against the wall, slowly turn away from the wall as far as you can. When you reach that point, pause and take a deep breath before turning back towards the wall.

The following video shows how to do this and the previous two stretches.

5. Cross-body stretch

This particular stretch can be done sitting or standing. Simply take your affected arm and reach across the front of your body.

Use your unaffected hand to gently lift your arm at the elbow exerting gentle pressure.

6. Armpit stretch

Find a shelf or counter that is about chest-high. Lay both arms on the surface with your palms facing down. Slowly bend your knees to stretch the armpit area.

Try to increase your bend a little more each time.

7. Overhead stretch

First, lay flat on your back with your arms by your side. While taking a deep breath in, slowly lift your arms up over your head as far as you can.

Take a breath and slowly lower your arms back down. Gradually increase your stretch by reaching farther each time.

8. Outward rotation

Hold a rubber exercise band between your hands. Keep your elbows at a 90-degree angle and close to your sides. Gently rotate the lower part of your affected arm outward and hold it for five seconds.

Aim to rotate your arm about two to three inches.

9. Inward rotation

Using the same rubber exercise band, stand next to a closed door and put one end of the band around the door knob. Hold the other end of the band with the hand of your affected arm and gently pull the band toward your body about two to three inches.

Again, your arm should be at a 90-degree angle. Aim to hold this position for five seconds.

10. Puppy pose

If you’ve ever done yoga, puppy pose will be familiar to you. It’s really a cross between child’s pose and downward-facing dog.

Start on all fours with your shoulders above your wrists and your hips above your knees. Breathe while slowly walking your hands forward, keeping your hips above your knees. When you reach as far as you can go, release your chest or your chin to the ground. Hold for 30 seconds to one minute in order to let your spine and arms lengthen.

Other frozen shoulder treatments

If you’re interested in adding to your daily routine of exercises and self-massage, there are other non-invasive treatment options you can try. The following activities may help relieve pain associated with frozen shoulder:

• Yoga: Gentle exercise can increase your range of motion and help loosen scar tissue. Yoga is a great way to stretch, whether at home or in a group class. Be sure to modify when necessary to avoid further injury.
• Swimming: Water-based exercise or therapy is another beneficial activity if you are experiencing limited range of motion due to pain. Swimming and even gentle water aerobics are non-weight-bearing activities that can take pressure off your shoulder.
• Physical therapy: A physical therapist can help design an exercise plan to open up the shoulder joint. Exercises may be similar to the ones discussed here, but done in a controlled manner. A therapist is especially useful when you’re suffering from severe or chronic shoulder pain.
• Chiropractic care: Chiropractors use alignment techniques to ease the symptoms associated with frozen shoulder syndrome. In many cases, chiropractic care is a great way to prevent frozen shoulder before it happens, if you believe you may be at risk.

Interventional treatments

If you have a severe case of frozen shoulder, talk to your doctor about steroid injections. This type of injection can reduce inflammation and pain so that you can begin to exercise or undergo physical therapy to break up scar tissue.

When all other options have been unsuccessful, your doctor may recommend surgery. There are two main surgeries associated with frozen shoulder syndrome. Manipulation is when a doctor places you under anesthesia so that they can physically move the arm in the socket to break up scar tissue. Arthroscopic capsular release involves cutting through tight tendons and tissues to release what’s holding your shoulder.

Surgery is a last resort. The vast majority of patients will find relief using massages, stretches, or other complementary therapies.

Find help

If your shoulder pain persists day and night, interrupting your everyday activities, it’s probably time to talk to a doctor. If you’re in the Arizona area, our doctors at Arizona Pain can help you get on the road to recovery.

Our team consists of highly qualified chiropractors, pain specialists, and more. We strive to help our patients alleviate their pain, as well as provide solutions for future options.

If you’re ready to learn more about treatment options for your frozen shoulder pain, reach out to one of our pain specialists today.

Reaching for a plate from the cupboard is something you probably don’t think twice about. As healthy and active adults, these everyday tasks are seemingly effortless. Unfortunately, for patients with intense shoulder pain, even basic movement can feel impossible. Frozen shoulder syndrome is one of the many conditions responsible for nagging aches, pains, and tightness in this ball-and-socket joint. If you’re suffering from an unknown cause of shoulder pain and tightness, here’s what you need to know about frozen shoulder symptoms.

What is frozen shoulder syndrome?

Frozen shoulder syndrome, also known as adhesive capsulitis, is a condition that can create stiffness and pain in your shoulder. Your shoulder joint is encased in connective tissue that can thicken and tighten around the joint, resulting in discomfort.

While the cause isn’t completely understood, doctors agree that it is commonly seen in people who have had to immobilize their shoulder for a long period of time. This leads to the original onset of pain, which eventually turns into excessive stiffness. As a result, your range of motion in the shoulder joint can become so limited that it feels as if your shoulder is frozen in place.

In extreme cases, patients can’t move their shoulder at all. As time goes on, this lack of movement allows scar tissue to build up, further restricting range of motion.

What are the first signs of frozen shoulder?

Frozen shoulder syndrome occurs gradually over a long period of time.

You will likely first become aware of dull and aching pain. It is usually located over the outer shoulder area and sometimes the upper arm. As the pain intensifies, you may be unknowingly moving your shoulder less and less. You may eventually find that you can’t move your shoulder as you once did. When the pain is severe enough, you may not be able to do anything that involves shoulder movement.

There are some people who are at an increased risk for developing frozen shoulder syndrome. In general, it is most common in patients between the ages of 40 and 60, and occurs in women more often than men.

If you stop using your shoulder due to pain or injury, it will naturally become stiff. This is why patients recovering from medical conditions or procedures that prevent arm movement are at a greater risk. Some of these include those with:

• Requirements to wear a shoulder sling after a surgery, stroke, or injury
• Diabetes
• Thyroid disorders
• Cardiovascular disease
• Tuberculosis
• Parkinson’s disease

What are common frozen shoulder stages?

There are three common stages of frozen shoulder syndrome. Each has unique symptoms, as well as a timeline. These are some of the early and advanced signs of each.

Freezing stage

In the initial stage, also known as the freezing stage, pain develops in your shoulder any time you move it. As a result, you may stop moving your shoulder as much.

Unfortunately, this only makes the problem worse. The less you move, the more scar tissue will continue to form. The pain during this stage can be severe and will usually increase over time, lasting anywhere from six weeks to nine months.

Frozen stage

While the frozen stage can often bring pain relief, it may also mean increased stiffness.

Moving your shoulder will become even more difficult as range of motion diminishes or disappears completely. This stage will typically last anywhere from four weeks to six months.

Thawing stage

The thawing stage lasts anywhere from six months to two years as your range of motion starts to improve.

For some, it can eventually return to how it once was. Your pain level may decrease substantially or even completely disappear once inflammation is under control.

The most common frozen shoulder symptoms

The 5 most common symptoms of frozen shoulder syndrome include the following:

1. Shoulder pain
2. Associated neck pain
3. Stiffness
4. Mobility issues
5. Increased pain at night

Let’s take a closer look at each symptom.

1. Shoulder pain

The most obvious and clear sign of frozen shoulder syndrome is pain, particularly in the musculoskeletal tissues and nerves in the shoulder area. This region includes the clavicle, upper humerus, and scapula.

While the pain may start out as dull, it will typically increase over time. The first stage of frozen shoulder syndrome comes with the highest pain levels. This phase can last anywhere from six weeks to nine months.

2. Associated neck pain

Because they’re so closely connected, neck pain often comes with shoulder pain.

The connective tissue that tightens and thickens leading to frozen shoulder also includes the tissue that connects your shoulder to your neck. Because the pain causes most patients to limit movement, this can further aggravate the issue.

3. Stiffness

While the second stage of frozen shoulder syndrome comes with decreased pain levels, this is when stiffness comes in. This is the stage that gives frozen shoulder syndrome its name.

The frozen feeling makes moving incredibly difficult, and in some cases, completely impossible. This is because the capsule of connective tissue becomes so tight and thick around the shoulder joint that it seems to freeze the shoulder in place.

4. Mobility issues

Patients suffering with frozen shoulder syndrome experience pain that intensifies over time. Suddenly, getting dressed or lifting your arm to reach for something becomes excruciating.

It’s a vicious cycle. This restriction naturally causes most patients to minimize shoulder movement, which only worsens the condition. Scar tissue may begin to develop in the shoulder, effectively “freezing” the shoulder in place.

5. Increased pain at night

In some patients, pain seems to increase during sleep.

When you lay down, the effect of gravity is removed, which allows the shoulder muscles to relax. The lack of movement paired with relaxation of the muscles causes the fluids in your joints to settle. This decreases the flow of blood, allowing the joint to become inflamed.

People also tend to lie on their shoulder while sleeping, which can compress the joint and worsen inflammation.

It is also possible that the lack of distractions at night makes certain patients more aware of their pain while they’re trying to sleep.

How to diagnose frozen shoulder syndrome

If you believe you may be experiencing frozen shoulder syndrome symptoms, you should visit your doctor for a physical exam. There is no definitive test that can diagnose this condition. Instead, your doctor will observe your range of motion, while also taking into account your medical history.

Your doctor will ask you to move in certain ways and assume different positions to check for what prompts your shoulder pain. Your doctor will also evaluate both active and passive range of motions. Active range of motion involves movement that you control. Passive range of motion is when you’re asked to relax your muscles and your doctor moves your arm for you. Both are important in determining whether you are suffering from frozen shoulder.

In some cases, you will receive a numbing injection to make this type of evaluation possible. This is usually done if your pain is so unbearable that it is too difficult to test movement capability.

Imaging tests, such as X-rays, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and ultrasound can also be used. They can’t diagnose frozen shoulder syndrome, rather they typically rule out other conditions or injuries that could be causing your pain. If your doctor can confidently say you’re not dealing with another condition, such as arthritis or a torn rotator cuff, it is more likely that you are dealing with frozen shoulder syndrome.

How do you get rid of a frozen shoulder?

A frozen shoulder will typically resolve itself, but this can take anywhere from nine months to years. In the meantime, many patients seek ways to speed up the recovery process. This can reduce the daily struggle of dealing with pain and limited mobility.

Treatment options for frozen shoulder syndrome vary greatly. From natural at-home remedies to interventional methods, there are several approaches your doctor may recommend. Find what works in your particular case. Your doctor will encourage you to attempt as many non-invasive methods as you can before moving on to more interventional approaches.

At-home frozen shoulder treatments

Always talk to your doctor before attempting any treatments. Once approved, at-home treatments may include stretching, exercise, and hot and cold therapy.

By keeping your shoulder healthy and mobile with stretching and exercise, you may be able to alleviate some of your pain and greatly reduce the stiffness you experience. As long as you listen to your body and move slowly, exercises like diagonal shoulder openers and fingertip walks can keep your case of frozen shoulder mild.

Alternating between hot and cold therapy can also reduce shoulder pain significantly. Using a heating pad can reduce stiffness and increase blood circulation. Alternatively, cold therapy is best for reducing acute inflammation that causes pain around the shoulder joint as you ready for another round of stretches.

Complementary and interventional therapies

If you’ve tried at-home approaches with no pain relief, your doctor may recommend a combination of the following treatments:

• Physical therapy: If you’re concerned about working through exercises and stretches on your own, a qualified physical therapist can help. Physical therapists are there to safely and gradually increase the intensity of your regimen for optimal healing. They can also offer guidance on balancing exercises on both sides of the body. This will help you avoid compensating in ways that cause injury to other parts of the body.
• Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs): Over-the-counter pain relievers such as aspirin and ibuprofen can provide short-term pain relief. This is helpful because it reduces inflammation, enabling you to move freely without pain. As previously mentioned, the more you can keep moving, the better off your shoulder will be. Work with your doctor to determine which medication is best for your specific case.
• Steroid injections: Corticosteroid injections can reduce inflammation and pain to improve mobility. They typically provide relief for several weeks or months, which can help you stay mobile and stick to a physical therapy routine. Consistent exercise can aid in breaking up scar tissue to reduce the stiffness of frozen shoulder syndrome.
• Surgery: In extreme cases, and when no other treatment options have worked, your doctor may recommend surgery. This typically involves an outpatient procedure to remove scar tissue from inside your shoulder joint. Stitches are removed after ten days and postoperative physical therapy is usually necessary. Many patients report having their full range of motion restored after a few months.

How to prevent frozen shoulder

If you’ve recently found relief from frozen shoulder syndrome, you may be afraid of a recurrence. You’ll find comfort in knowing that frozen shoulder rarely develops again in the same shoulder. However, some people do experience it in the opposite shoulder. Fortunately, there are things you can do to prevent this.

One of the most common contributors to frozen shoulder syndrome is a lack of mobility. This may occur while you’re recovering from surgery or an injury, or perhaps you’ve suffered a heart attack or stroke. Whatever the case, it’s important to keep your body moving as much as possible, and under the care of your medical team.

Your doctor may recommend exercises, stretches, and other conditioning techniques to keep your shoulder strong while you are recovering. This can maintain your range of motion and prevent the buildup of scar tissue that could lead to another bout of frozen shoulder syndrome.

Working with a physical therapist can be helpful if you’re concerned about maintaining a healthy exercise regimen that is still within your comfort level.

Do you believe you may be suffering from frozen shoulder symptoms? Contact our pain specialists at Arizona Pain. Our team will help you find the right treatment options for your shoulder pain.