Frozen shoulder

[Karwomannghia]

Ive had shoulder pain a while and it’s got worse while I’ve been waiting for a physio appt on the nhs so I went to a private physio and she recommended chiro for some adjustments as it was coming from my neck.
So I had the appointment and he said it was adhesive capulitis which I understand is frozen shoulder. He was saying how bad it was an I should have come earlier, wants me to have and X-ray asap, see the blood test results I had from my initial dr visit (which were all fine).
He did some manipulation which absolutely killed. I’ve had those Zingers before I’ve read about on here which are a perfect description! One false move and zap! Terrified of it happening.
But I can sleep ok for the most part and still drive as it is my right arm so does the least work. The hardest part is reaching for my seatbelt.
But the chiro made it sound really bad and was pushing my arm past the comfort point and it really wouldn’t go. I was laughing/shouting in pain- and I’m scared of going back!! Anyone else got this?

Just to add, now I’m up and about, I definitely feel more confident about moving my arm- more ready to accept a pain if it occurs and touch wood I haven’t had one today. So maybe worth what felt like the assault yesterday!
also I’ve noticed the top of my affected shoulder has a small lump that feels bony - is this normal just from inflammation?

I assume the person was registered with the GCC firstly?

Assuming they were, you should really have spoken to your GP before seeing them as they could have advised if it was safe for you and likely to help. Spinal manipulation comes with risks, but any pain should pass in a few days.

According to the NHS website, treatment is not normally painful, but it can provide sufficient in some people. It says that if you find it painful, you should tell them immediately, which it sounds like you did. I'm surprised they continued given that.

Yes he’s on the GCC page and has been practising many years and highly recommended. I did say to my doctor when I went about my shoulder initially and he referred me to physio (which I’m still waiting for) that I may in the meantime go for chiropractic treatment and he didn’t agree or disagree- didn’t seem interested. I went to a private physio who recommended the chiropractor.

Ive read previous threads about frozen shoulder so would quite like to hear experiences from anyone who’s had similar?

I wouldn't go near a chiropractor.
I saw a private physio with mine (NHS wait for physio here is 4 months).
He manipulated it and gave me exercises to do. He said once set in they can take two years to clear but mine was early stages. I saw an improvement after a month but it's still not quite there 4 months later.

I sympathise - I had a frozen shoulder in lockdown and was given exercises to do.

I found the one that helped the most was bending over and letting my arm hang, and then while it’s hanging, making it swing back and forth and round in circles. It seemed to slightly free it up and felt nice in a way.

I can’t say the exercises really helped much though, just one day I realised it was starting to feel a bit better and my range of movement improved and it resolved itself.

So painful at the time though - hope it’s better soon.

I liked the ‘pendulum’ exercise too - it was a nice bit of relief 🙂

OP, you have my sympathies - a frozen shoulder is the worst. My was my left side and I would regularly forget and go to pop my bag on the passenger seat - I feel sick thinking about the pain 🤢

I had mine for a couple of years and physio didn’t help me unfortunately- I ended up having surgery to debride the shoulder joint and whilst a lot better (no zingers!) I’m definitely not pain free and I’m awaiting a second OP.

A chiropractor, osteopath and physio had no benefit at all on my frozen shoulders- I was unfortunate and had on one side and then the other over a period of 4 years. The only thing that helped was steroid injections- please ask your GP for a referral for these as they really help the pain. They don’t change the stiffness so mobility is still restricted (sadly this is just a waiting game) but the pain was reduced hugely.

Forcing your shoulder to move to a point where it is extremely painful can actually be damaging with frozen shoulders and the repetitive exercises given by physio’s aren’t great either as they just increase the inflammation of the tissue around the painful area.

Aww poor you OP, frozen shoulder is so painful, I had too lots of physio that really helped, did the exercises regularly, used heat and cold packs. My shoulder is probably as good as it’s ever going to be now, not that terrible sharp pain, but I still have to be careful. I hope you are feeling better soon, unfortunately it’s not a quick fix.

I’ve had it now and then over the years and I have a routine that helps.
Massage a few times a day, as deeply as you can bear with voltarol gel or similar. You can get 5% over the counter but I had 10% from the gp and that’s better.
Rest it from normal activity as much as you can but regularly (several times a day) put it through some gentle stretches.

I'm just coming out the other side of a frozen shoulder I've had for about a year. I'm recovering mobility and the pain is all but gone, just occasional discomfort when I lie on that side. I discovered the other day I can even fasten my bra at the back again!

I didn't see a GP at any point but a physio diagnosed it. I went 2 or 3 times to her, she gave me some exercises and manipulation a couple of times - though never to the point of excruciating pain! However I was crap at doing the exercises (3 times a day just felt completely umanageable) although they helped ease it a bit at the worst point.

It's basically been time that's resolved it I think. Hopefully you'll progress through it soon - the zinger stage doesn't last forever thankfully.

Same as PP, I had it on one shoulder and then the other

I had physio both times but it was getting worse so I had the surgery.

Thanks for all the replies and sorry to hear about so many having it in both shoulders and also surgery- quite a worrying prospect.
I had a mini zinger earlier, I’m hopeful they’re calming down already, but my arm seems as immobile as ever really, I’m just doing as much as I can without worrying too much- fortunately other than aching at times it doesn’t hurt unless I do a wrong move.

I’ve been doing an exercise where I put a scarf over a pull up bar and use my good hand to pull up the bad one. It just hurts basically! Will also try the dangling ones.
seeing chiro again tomorrow so I’m going to ask about whether it’s actually helpful!!