Frozen shoulder - what works ?

[gingeroots]

Have had one a couple of years ago ,now the other one is revving up .
I had little positive in way of treatmemt last time - physio recommended but waited so long for initial appointment only to be told that the weekly sessions I needed weren't available !
It was a physio attached to GP practice ,not hospital .

What has worked for other people ,apart from anti-inflams and time ... ?

I'll be watching with interest as I have a seizing shoulder, but my physio told me that the main thing is keeping it moving as much as possible as its a vicious cycle of not moving makes less joint fluid which makes it stiffer etc

Yes ,the keep moving is what everyone says .
So perhaps I should be less stoical regarding the pain ( which stops me wanting to move it ) and give myself over to a regime of continual pain killers ?

Doing the physio exercises religiously, several times a day, everyday, is what did it for me. Take the pain killers so that you are able to move but do keep moving.

What have you been given as regards exercises to do? Mine were essentially working the shoulder/head/neck through all its various rotations and I had some of that sort of rubber stretchy stuff - you attach to a bannister or similar and pull across your body (sorry forgotten it's proper name)
But if you want details of any of them, I can try to put it in writing (I have bits of paper with diagrams on!)

It really helped and I am pain free now, but if I ever get twinges I start on the exercises again. (I also do yoga every day - but I was doing that anyway before I got the shoulder problems - I do think it helps though).

Oh sorry - I paragraphed that but it didn't come out with paras hope you can read it OK.

I've not been to GP yet ,was thinking of starting off with private physio to cut out the 2 weeks for GP appt ,god knows how long for NHS physio etc .
I'm sure you're right ,regular carrying out of exercises has got to help .

My GP printed off a sheet with some exercises for me to do and these really helped. I'm sure if you google and/or look on youtube you you will find some basic stretches and gentle physio exercises that will hopefully help.

I hope the pain eases soon.

Thanks copycat ,I'll do that .
Suppose I was hoping for a magic bullet - but I think it will be exercises .
Think I'll go to a local physio foe an assesment and to run thru the exercises .

ginger, I'm having shoulder pain which sounds similar. Have just left a message for a physio to get an appt to diagnose. We should compare notes once we've both seen someone.

Hi ,yes we should !

From what I've gathered - frozen shoulder doesn't really respond to treatment in that while treatment is important to retain mobility ,it won't make the frozen shoulder go away any quicker .
And several mentions of acupuncture as v.helpful.

I've found someone ( oestopath ) and will make appt .
She says ( going on what I've said v.briefly ) that it sounds more like tendonitis .
We'll see .

My mum had reiki with hers, and it was gone within the year.

Seems it responds better to alternative/holistic therapies, which is interesting.

I have a fantastic acupuncturist, but want to get a diagnosis first. Actually I found the physio through the acupuncturist as she recommended him. I last went with epic back problems and he was fantastic then at diagnosing/ treatment options, so am hoping he can repeat that this time.

Hope Osteo can sort it for you ginger. Let us know how you get on.

Have you tried acupuncture? Had instant relief with mine

My Mum had some heat treatment (some lamp or other on the NHS) which was wonderful

Thanks guys .
Have booked appt with a local osteopath ,icing ,on her advice ,until I see her on Thursday .

I don't see how physio coudl help a true frozen shoulder. It's (to my understanding) a change in the texture of the lining of the shoulder from being soft and flexible to being like old, cracked leather. When I had a frozen shoulder I spent a fortune on physio before I found out what it really was and then went to a shoulder surgeon who told me physio was a waste of time. Like trying to exercise a broken leg. But if it's not actually a frozen shoulder but some other sort of shoulder pain (bursitis?) then exercise could help.

I was about to have surgery when the whole thing suddenly released over the course of about 2 weeks. I had had some acupuncture so I don't know if that sped up the healing process.

FWIW it's more common in people with thyroid conditions (me) and diabetics. IT's also apparently connected to Dupuytrens Contracture (which my Dad has) in that it's the same change in the tissues - but there doesn't seem to be any genetic link between people who get DC and people who get a frozen shoulder (apart from in my family!)

I've seen my physio. He says the top of my spine is v.tight, so that's causing the pain. He did some intense manipulation, but feels confident he can loosen it all as it hasn't set in yet. Hope your appt's positive too ginger.

Have seen osteopath - she says rotator cuff ... ( didn't catch rest of it ) and bursitis . " very nasty in there " " ooh it doesn't like that all ,does it " etc etc

Manipulation , pendulum exercise and iceing at home . Will try "dry needling " next time to try and untighten muscles .

She was very nice ,but I find the whole thing completely draining physically ( felt totally wiped out afterwards ,took all my strength to walk home ) and ,weirdly ,emotionally .

It's been pretty bad since visit ,tho I think some of that is finally letting myself acknowledge it - having been trying to pretend up til now .

Ouch Ginger, that does sound sore. Hope they can fix it for you.

Hello Ginger.

I had my first bout of frozen shoulder recently which is why I opened the thread.

I just wanted to say that I see a chiro - although very rarely now - and in the first few months I used to walk out feeling light headed. Then I would develop the feeling you get when you have sobbed all night, that washed out frozen feeling. I also wee'd loads and slept loads. I felt like a huge shuddering sob was building in my tummy. Very 'hormonal'

The severity of this gradually wore off. Apparently it might be toxin release and hormonal surges in respose to intense changes or we might be going insane

It really gets better as the chiro works their magic and there is less to release each time

I have the same problem. Accupuncture etc is much too spendy. Are there any home remedies?

Thanks for that dontask - that's a good description ,I feel really premenstrual ( tho those days are thankfully behind me ) on the verge of tears all day yesterday and feel like biting everyone's head off today ,very oversensitive .
KalSkirta - I don't know about home remedies ,be interested to hear of any .
The dry needling is being done by oestopath ,think it's about £40 a visit .

Regular warmth.I had it a few years ago. I realised eventually that the clue is in the name!

I have had so much trouble with my shoulders. First it was my right one terrible pain couldn't raise my arm or put mmy arm behind my back. The pain was horrendous and I was unable to sleep. Well unless I took amitriptyline.

A scan identified calcified tendonitis in the rotor cuff.

I had physio and accupuncture which did nothing for the pain, while waiting for a steroid injection. The steroid injuection was brilliant and all was well for about 4 months when the same pain started in the other shoulder.

Well exactly the same the problemwas diagnosed. then the same treatment.
Except this time they decide to needle the calcium deposits. All was ok for a few months.
But the pain has returned in my left side this time in the top of my arm and it is agony constant and nothing stops it.

I have just booked an appointment to see an osteopath. As i can't afford the £50.00 a session i was quoted i have booked with the London school of osteopathy. Obviously I will be treated by someone training but am willing to give it a go. I will have to pay something I think about £20.00 a session.

Just thought I would mention it as I only found out about this training clinic by chance.

You're right !
I'd completely forgotten about school of oestopathy ! Have heard good things about being treated there .
www.bso.ac.uk/information-for-patients/what-to-expect/
How could I have forgotten that ,think the pain is affecting my thought processes .

catmadcaz - lordy that sounds scary .
I think the trouble is that shoulders are an incredibly tricky joint .

I'm really not happy at the moment ,the pain is getting me down .
And it's not yet as bad as the other side was ,I remember what lengths I'd go to avoid sneezing ...
Plus the lack of sleep of course ,which I've already arrived at .

cat please come back and tell us how it goes at the school .
amillion - I think I might try some warmth ,after some initial relief the icing is doing nothing for me .