Frozen Shoulder, also known as Adhesive capsulitis, is a shoulder condition that causes pain and stiffness in that area. The symptoms often appear gradually, getting worse over time.
This condition causes a restricted range of motion in the shoulder, that is the primary symptom and the most common one used to identify the condition.
The shoulder joint is one of the most used in the body, having a wide range of motion and withstands a lot of wear and tear with normal use. This joint connects ligaments and tendons with bones and muscles, and is encased with a connective tissue.
If that tissue gets thick, it leads to tightening around that joint, restricting movements and causing pain and discomfort.
What are the causes of Frozen Shoulder?
The most common causes are usually due to past injuries or other conditions, but it can be an unknown cause. There are some studies that suggest that diabetes and other chronic diseases are more likely to develop a Frozen Shoulder.
And it may happen in people who have had other injuries, fractures or surgeries in the arm – that keeps the shoulder immobilized for an extended period of time.
This condition often presents 3 stages:
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The acute inflammatory stage
It’s a very painful moment and the range of motion is pretty much reduced. It hurts so much that it will affect the sleep and you may need some medicine.
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The stiffening stage
In this stage, the capsule inflammation is mostly resolved and it is not as painful, but the range of motion is extremely limited. It usually happens 1-3 months after the inflammatory stage.
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The thawing stage
At the final stage, you no longer will experience pain, and will have a better motion in the shoulder joint – even though it is still pretty much reduced, but some activities will not be the same as it was before the injury.
But, to any of the stages, there is hope. There are a few treatments, such as chiropractic care, that will help you with your frozen shoulder.
Treatment for Frozen Shoulder
The treatment for this condition is basically focused in preservation of the joint’s range of motion and reducing the pain, and you can use the help of NSAIDs like ibuprofen or aspirin to help you with the discomfort.
Those medications will help to reduce pain and inflammation in the joint, but you have to always check with your doctor more specific anti-inflammatory and pain medications.
Chiropractic Care for Frozen Shoulder
Chiropractic Care is very effective for treating Frozen Shoulder. Even if usually the patients go see their care provider first to get the diagnosis and make sure that there aren’t any other conditions that have to be treated before searching for chiropractic care.
But the chiropractor has the ability to diagnose and assess the patient, with x-rays and other chiropractic tools.
Furthermore, Chiropractic can help reduce the pain and get your range of motion back, while speeding your recovery process. When mobilizing the shoulder joint with an adjustment, it’ll put a fast stretch on the joint capsule, helping to break down fibrotic tissue.
You should seek Chiropractic care to understand what is the best treatment for you. The treatment will depend on the extension of your condition, the symptoms that are presented and how long you’ve had the condition.
Other Frozen Shoulder Treatments
There are a few other treatments that should be seeken depending on the extension of the conditions, including:
- Shoulder Manipulation – usually uses general anesthetic to moves the shoulder to loosen the tissue;
- Joint Distension – injection of sterile water in the capsule, stretching the tissue and improving the motion;
- Surgery – the last resort to help you treat your frozen shoulder. In this particularly case, you’ll have to remove the adhesions and scar tissues in the joint.
If you’re looking for a Chiropractic Care Clinic, here at Broadway Chiropractic and Wellness we are more than qualified to help you treat your Frozen Shoulder with the best treatment plan specific for you!
Book an appointment right now.
