Shoulder Pain and Confusion
Frozen shoulder can be mysterious.
- How did you get it?
- How long will it last?
- What can you do?
No one has a definitive answer as to what causes frozen shoulder or as it is medically known – adhesive capsulitis. Basically, frozen shoulder is a stiff shoulder that does not move freely. It is characterized by:
- the inability to reach overhead
- an overall loss of motion
- decreased shoulder flexibility
- intense pain
A video explanation of frozen shoulder
Will frozen shoulder affect you?
More mysteries – though no one seems to know why, but if you have:
- diabetes
- Parkinson’s desease
- cardiac disease
- a traumatic shoulder injury / surgery
…then you are more likely to contract a frozen shoulder.
As Dr. Halpern states in this video, intense physical therapy is usually the answer. If you are suffering the pain of frozen shoulder, then schedule a visit with your doctor so that he can refer you to a physical therapist.
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
For some reason females comprise a majority of the sufferers as well. Another notable point is that physical therapists help to mobilize the glenohumeral joint (shoulder joint) with joint mobilization techniques that typical frozen shoulder exercises do not affect.
Good call and you’re right. Females are affected more than men – but what I find even more interesting is that frozen shoulder will sometimes migrate to the other shoulder. Why? No one knows.
Tons and tons of info here as always!
I’ve had good results for a “frozen shoulder” by working thoracic, opposite hip, opposite foot/ankle and same side wrist mobility work.
Most likely this is probably due to some arthrokinetic reflex neurologically shutting down the shoulder as a protective mechanism.
Rock on!
Mike T Nelson, PhD(c)
Mike,
Thanks for the tips. It’s good to know that there are always alternative treatments when dealing with frozen shoulder.
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