Thursday, December 10, 2015

Frozen Shoulder Facts and Treatment

It's cold outside, but for some of us the freeze isn't just out in the snow.  It's in our bodies, or more specifically, in our shoulders.



Frozen shoulder is a term used to describe a loss in range of motion of the shoulder joint.  Injuries to the shoulder can cause inflammation within the joint capsule resulting in thickening and shortening of the soft tissue.   Frozen shoulder usually progresses through three stages.  

The first stage is the freezing stage in which range of motion is slightly limited.  This stage may or may not involve pain, but usually is painful if the person tries to surpass the restricted movement.  The next stage is the frozen stage where all types of range of motion are greatly restricted.  Usually there is no pain at this stage due to the limited mobility.  The third stage is the recovery or thawing stage.  This is where seeking chiropractic care can help to regain the range of motion back into the shoulder.  

Chiropractic care usually consists of a combination of shoulder adjustments, trigger point therapy, soft tissue therapies, and range of motion stretches/exercises.  The recovery period can vary depending on how long the problem has been going on and how limited the range of motion has become.  The best way to prevent a frozen shoulder from forming is early treatment, so if you are suffering from a combination of shoulder pain and decreased range of motion see your chiropractor right away.


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