It’s a pain in the shoulder. That’s what it is!!
Everything you need to know about Frozen Shoulder
Our bodies are very good at telling us when there is a problem, and one of the most common today is shoulder issues. Aches and pains in the shoulder area can be minor issues resulting from a simple strain, but they can be more severe.
A frozen shoulder is one of those problems; the symptoms go beyond aches and pains. If you are suffering from severe shoulder pain over a three-month period, then it is highly likely you are experiencing a frozen shoulder.
What causes a frozen shoulder is still uncertain. We know that it will affect women slightly more than men. Pain is due to inflammation of the tissue around the shoulder joint, which causes tissue to shrink and tighten, which produces problems when the joint moves. However, what causes that inflammation is only sometimes obvious. Injury or surgery on the region can trigger, and hormone changes and diabetes have all been found to be causes.
How Frozen Shoulder affects your life
While a frozen shoulder is often referred to as severe pain, what does that mean?
Constant pain when trying to move the arm or shoulder is debilitating and impacts almost everything you do.
The pain can be so severe that it becomes difficult to move the arm and shoulder at all, which is where the name comes from, and that can cause difficulties in doing things like driving, your job, and daily tasks at home that we all take for granted, even getting dressed can be a challenging and painful experience.
It also impacts sleep. In fact, with a frozen shoulder, the pain can become worse at night, when every small move can cause pain. With a problem that can continue for years if left untreated, that kind of sleep disruption can greatly impact your quality of life.
Treating Frozen Shoulder
You must seek help for a frozen shoulder or any persistent pain. Physiotherapists and Osteopaths can provide the pain relief you are looking for over time through guided help.
Through a case history and examination, Physiotherapists and Osteopaths are highly skilled in making this diagnosis. Each case of frozen shoulder is unique, and we will assess your range of movement and other issues to develop a program for your problem. Coming to terms with the diagnosis and how long it will take to recover are all part of the advice they provide.
For most, a combination of a stretching program, strength-building exercises, and acupuncture alongside guidance to improve posture and other pain relief guidance will help you manage this condition. Each case of frozen shoulder is unique, and we will assess your range of movement and other issues to develop a program for your problem.
Don’t be tempted to just hit the gym or do other exercises without medical guidance, as strenuous exercises can make the situation worse and cause even more pain.
Unlike many other private clinics in the area, Sussex Physiotherapy and Osteopathy have advanced practitioners offering a higher level of care for this condition. For those with extreme symptoms, our Clinical Lead, Dean Dickinson, as a Physio Independent Prescriber and Injection Therapist, can administer a Steroid (with Local Anaesthetic) injection for pain relief. A common prescription is Kenalog with Lidocaine or Depomedrone.
Another type of injection we can offer is called ‘Hydrodilatation’, whereby a saline solution (along with a Steroid and Local Anaesthetic) can also be used to expand the joint capsule and break adhesions around the joint and calm down inflammation in the joint. This may or may not be done under Ultrasound guidance.
If you have ongoing shoulder problems, talk to us today, we have extensive experience treating this condition and helping people manage, recover and live pain-free.