Tackle Your Frozen Shoulder with Specialized Treatments

Having a frozen shoulder can largely affect one's way of living. It can affect activities of daily living including work-related responsibilities, family duties, and even the simplest practices of bathing and sleeping. So, what is a frozen shoulder? What are the symptoms associated with the condition? And how do you treat a frozen shoulder? Below is the only guide you'll ever need to tackle the condition.

Also known as frozen shoulder syndrome, frozen shoulder involves immense pain and stiffness that seriously restricts the ROM within the shoulder joint area. While the condition is unilateral in many cases, 1 out of 5 patients are inflicted with it on both sides of the body. This makes it even more difficult to carry out activities. Frozen shoulder cases are rarely found in individuals under the age of 40 years old. It is also more common in women than in men. 2-3% of the world's population is reported to be affected by this medical condition. But what exactly causes it in the first place?

Frozen shoulder is, in some cases, the direct result of trauma to the shoulder area, particularly within the joint. Apart from trauma, there is no other known cause of frozen shoulder. People who've had extensive periods of shoulder immobility due to previous surgical operations are also at high risk for development frozen shoulder as opposed to those who've had no experience whatsoever with injuries that could impede mobility within the shoulder area. Intense pain and persistent stiffening of the shoulder area are the two prevalent symptoms of the condition. However, to better view the symptoms of this condition, three stages should be further contemplated on. The symptoms normally progress at a slow pace over a period of months to years, depending on the individual's lifestyle and treatment regimen.

Stage one is known as the "freezing" stage. At this stage, the shoulder begins to ache and moving it will become difficult. Performing basic activities like bathing, eating, pushing and pulling, or sleeping against the side will induce a sharp, persistent pain. Usually, the condition progresses at nighttime when the individual lies sideways. The freezing stage can last between 2 months to 9 months, depending on how early the individual seeks for help. The second stage or the "frozen" stage involves the increasingly stiffening shoulder area. The pain gradually subsides, yet the muscles begin to wear out as a result of immobility for a considerable period of time. Stage two can last for up to a year if treatment is neglected.

The last stage is the "thawing" stage where the shoulder area starts to regain mobility. The pain significantly subsides, yet repetition may occur periodically. Though full mobility is not achieved, shoulders at the thawing stage can expect to perform much more tasks without any pain or difficulty. Treatment of frozen shoulders are performed in a myriad of ways. Some use topical products and ointments to relieve the pain and inflammation. Others drink prescribed medication to alleviate the pain. A better solution for frozen shoulders is by seeking the help of specialized frozen shoulder clinics. These specialists offer effective and immediate relief for frozen shoulders without having to go through extensive therapy.