Shoulder Pain

Frozen Shoulder Pain?

February 7, 2023 by Focal Physiotherapy Leave a Comment

Frozen shoulder, also known as adhesive capsulitis, is a common condition that affects the shoulder joint. It is characterised by pain, stiffness, and a decrease in range of motion. In this article, we will explore what frozen shoulder pain feels like, the causes and treatment options, as well as steps you can take to prevent it.

What Frozen Shoulder Pain Feels Like

Frozen shoulder typically develops gradually over time and is characterised by pain and stiffness in the shoulder joint. The pain is usually a dull, aching sensation that worsens when you move your arm, particularly when you try to lift it overhead. The stiffness can make it difficult to perform everyday tasks, such as reaching for items on a high shelf or brushing your hair.

Frozen shoulder pain typically affects one shoulder at a time, but it can occur in both shoulders in some cases. The condition often develops slowly over the course of several weeks or months, and symptoms can persist for up to three years.

Causes

The exact cause of frozen shoulder is not well understood, but several factors can contribute to its development. For example, a previous injury to the shoulder, medical conditions such as diabetes, or a period of immobility or inactivity can increase the risk of developing frozen shoulder.

In some cases, frozen shoulder occurs after a person has been recovering from an injury or surgery, when the shoulder has been kept in a sling or brace for an extended period. The shoulder joint can become stiff and painful due to the lack of movement and exercise.

Treatment of Frozen Shoulder

The treatment of frozen shoulder depends on the severity of the symptoms and the individual’s medical history. In many cases, physiotherapy can be effective in improving range of motion and reducing pain. Your physiotherapist may use techniques such as stretching, strengthening exercises, and manual therapy to help you regain mobility in your shoulder.

Medications, such as pain relievers and anti-inflammatory drugs, can also help manage the symptoms of frozen shoulder. In some cases, cortisone injections may be recommended to reduce inflammation and improve mobility.

In severe cases, surgery may be necessary to help relieve symptoms. The procedure is typically performed as an outpatient procedure under general anaesthesia and involves releasing the tight capsule around the shoulder joint.

Prevention

There are several steps you can take to help prevent frozen shoulder, such as:

Maintaining shoulder mobility: Regular exercise, such as stretching and strengthening exercises, can help maintain shoulder mobility and prevent stiffness.
Avoiding sudden movements: Sudden movements, such as lifting heavy items, can cause injury and increase the risk of frozen shoulder.
Keeping the shoulder joint active: If you have been recovering from an injury or surgery, it’s important to keep the shoulder joint active and moving to prevent stiffness and pain.

Frozen shoulder is a painful condition that can affect mobility. Pain, stiffness, and a decrease in range of motion is what frozen shoulder pain feels like. The condition can be treated with physiotherapy, medications, and in severe cases, surgery.

What is Frozen Shoulder pain like?

November 29, 2021 by Focal Physiotherapy Leave a Comment

Do you wake up in the morning with pain in your shoulder? Does it seem like your arm is frozen to your side? If so, then you may be suffering from frozen shoulder. Frozen shoulder, or adhesive capsulitis, is a common problem that particularly affects women in their 40s and 50s. What is frozen shoulder pain like? The pain can range from deep aching to sharp pain. One of the most notable features of frozen shoulder is the loss of ability to move your arm over head.

Frozen shoulder typically lasts for 12 months or more. It can resolve on its own in time, however frozen shoulder isn’t a condition that you should ignore. Instead, frozen shoulder treatment is important to get back your full range of motion and prevent frozen shoulder from returning.

What Causes Frozen Shoulder?

There’s no frozen shoulder treatment that works for everyone. The cause is unknown but it’s believed to be the result of a combination of factors including age, injury, and overuse. The pain and restriction is caused by the fact that the shoulder joint capsule sticks together, causing the pain and limited movement experienced. Hence the term “adhesive capsulitis”.

Best Treatment for Frozen Shoulder

According to a new systematic review of frozen shoulder, researchers found that the frozen shoulder treatment that works best is a combination of medication and physiotherapy exercises.

In this study, the researchers found that those patients who received frozen shoulder treatment from a physiotherapist for between two and four weeks, along with taking one of three medications (duloxetine, diclofenac, or ibuprofen), experienced the most frozen shoulder resolution. This combination of frozen shoulder treatment was better than either medication alone or frozen shoulder treatment with physiotherapy exercises.

Preventing Frozen Shoulder Pain From Returning

If frozen shoulder treatment is successful, the pain of frozen shoulder typically goes away within 12 to 18 months. However, frozen shoulder can recur in a percentage of cases. If frozen shoulder returns, it typically recurs within the first two years after frozen shoulder resolves for the first time.

Getting treatment for frozen shoulder is important. Give us a call now on 03 9034 7735 to see how we can help you, or click to book an appointment online.

How to Fix Shoulder Impingement Syndrome

August 11, 2021 by Focal Physiotherapy Leave a Comment

Shoulder impingement syndrome occurs when the top outer edge of the shoulder blade (the acromion) compresses the rotator cuff and the other structures of the shoulder joint beneath it. This action causes sharp pain and inflammation, which further narrows the space. The quickest way to get relief from such pain is usually applying ice, anti-inflammatory drugs, cortisone injections, or in worse cases, surgery. However, addressing the underlying cause is important and this is where physiotherapy can help you. Furthermore, exactly how to fix shoulder impingement syndrome depends on the level of your shoulder pain and the nature of the underlying cause of the problem.

How does shoulder impingement develop?

The shoulder’s so called “rotator cuff” passes through a small space underneath your acromion, which is the bony tip of the scapula (shoulder blade) that comes off the scapula’s top side. Here, this bony tip meets with the collar bone at the shoulder. Shoulder impingement occurs when the tendon rubs against the acromion.

The causes of shoulder impingement syndrome include:

1. Torn or swollen tendon
Most of these cases result from overuse or over-exposure to resistance training or shoulder activity, shoulder injuries, or age-related wear and tear.

2. Irritation or inflammation of the bursa
The bursa is a fluid-filled sac lying between the tendon and the acromion that lubricates the muscles and tendons during movement. When this region is inflamed, as a result of overuse or an injury, it could subsequently lead to shoulder impingement syndrome.

3. Birth defects or Wear and Tear
If you are born with an acromion that is not flat or develop age-related bone spurs on your acromion.

Symptoms of shoulder impingement syndrome

The following can be clues that you are suffering from shoulder impingement syndrome:

Pain when you try to lift or extend your arm above your head.
Tenderness and pain in the front of your affected shoulder.
Sharp pain originating from the front side of the shoulder to the side of the arm.
Sharp pain when lying on your afflicted shoulder.
Pain when reaching behind your back, like reaching into a back pocket.

How to fix shoulder impingement syndrome

Shoulder impingement syndrome can be treated using various approaches depending on the severity of the pain and the situation as a whole. Approaches include:

1. Physiotherapy
Stretching exercises to improve the shoulder’s range of motion is one of the most important remedies for shoulder impingement. The shoulder is an extremely unstable joint and depends on the muscles around it to maintain stability. An imbalance in these muscles predisposes the shoulder to all sorts of problems. Your physiotherapist will devise a program of care that will ensure the shoulder function is rehabilitated as fully as possible.

2. Ice therapy
Physiotherapists sometimes apply this approach to assist with pain relief in the short term. For the best results with ice therapy, you should apply ice on the affected area for 20 minutes twice a day to reduce the inflammation.

3. Pain medication administration
How to relieve shoulder impingement pain depends on your healthcare provider. They could prescribe naproxen or ibuprofen to relieve the pain caused. Doctors often prescribe stronger pain medications coupled with anti-inflammatory drugs whenever the pain is severe and unbearable. However, remember painkillers and anti-inflammatories simply reduce the symptoms. Rehabilitation is required for you to fix the underlying problem.

4. Avoiding physically challenging activities
You may be advised to avoid activities that demand them to reach over the back or heavy resistance training at the gym to give the shoulder enough time to heal.

5. Surgery
If non-surgical approaches fail to provide permanent relief, subacromial decompression surgery is the last resort. The surgery provides adequate space for the rotator cuff by removing the part of the acromion. The procedure involves making small incisions in the affected shoulder and physically cutting part of the acromion. Thankfully, rehabilitation can often avoid the need for surgery. However if surgery is needed, before and after shoulder muscle strengthening and rehabilitation will help you get the best results from surgery.

Fixing shoulder impingement syndrome might require a bit of effort. However, the results are well worth it. If you need help with shoulder pain, give us a call on 03 9034 7735 or click to book an appointment online.

How To Prevent Neck And Shoulder Pain While Sleeping

July 19, 2021 by Focal Physiotherapy Leave a Comment

A restful night of sleep is required in order to feel refreshed and function at your best. Unfortunately, this can sometimes represent more of a dream than a reality. Many people will toss and turn all night due to neck and/or shoulder discomfort.

Left unattended these problems may not resolve themselves over time. Thus, your long-term health can become affected. If you are grappling this neck and shoulder pain from sleep, there are a handful of recommendations which can offer you a much-needed sense of relief. Let’s examine how to prevent neck and shoulder pain while sleeping.

What is the Optimal Sleeping Position?

Research suggests that sleeping on your side or on your back will place the least amount of stress upon your neck in particular. If you find it difficult to lay on your back due to the position of the neck, it is wise to use a flatter pillow to avoid straining the neck. A higher pillow is better when lying on your side to fill the gap between your head and the mattress. Sleeping on your stomach is not recommended, as this position can cause neck pain due to it being stretched in uncomfortable positions for extended periods of time.

Creature Comforts: A Look at Pillows for Neck and Back Pain

Selecting the appropriate pillow can often provide you with surprising amounts of relief. Although feather pillows are quite comfortable, they can flatten and become deformed over time. This is why memory foam represents an excellent alternative. Memory foam is unique in the fact that it will adjust to the natural contours of your shoulders and neck. Therefore, any concentrated points of pressure can be evenly distributed.

While some individuals enjoy stiffer or thicker pillows, these designs can cause the neck muscles to flex in awkward positions during the overnight hours. It is normally best to experiment with a handful of different pillows in order to better appreciate which models provide the greatest sense of relief.

Tackling Pains When Travelling

Are you required to travel frequently? If so, the chances are high that any pain in your neck and shoulders will be exacerbated even further if you have to sleep sitting up. While nothing can replace the comfort of a bed, pillows in the shape of a horseshoe can provide extra support when sleeping in an upright position.

Might the Quality of Your Sleep Play a Role?

A growing body of evidence suggests that sleep itself could possibly determine the extent of your back or neck pain. It is thought that disturbances in normal sleeping patterns can prevent your muscles from becoming fully relaxed. Furthermore, the body performs restorative repairs to the muscles and connective tissues while asleep. It stands to reason that those who regularly experience broken sleep are more likely to report problems with their neck and shoulders.

Knowing how to prevent neck and shoulder pain while sleeping might require a bit of intuition and you may be forced to change a handful of habits. However, the results are well worth the initial effort. If you need help with neck and shoulder pain from sleeping, give us a call on 03 9034 7735 or click to book an appointment online.