Frozen Shoulder, also known as adhesive capsulitis, is a condition that causes so much pain and stiffness in the shoulder that it is difficult to move the joint freely.
It comprises a freezing stage (1-8 months), as the arm gets painful and more difficult to move, the frozen stage (9-16 months), as the arm actually becomes frozen (little or no movement as a result of pain upon movement), and the thawing stage (12-40 months), as the arm pain decreases and some mobility is restored. Complete recovery is infrequent, with a number of people permanently losing their full range of movement. The cause is unknown, but it is known that an inflammation develops within the shoulder joint from which adhesions then form. Occasionally the disorder follows some traumatic event, but most seem to develop from an unknown etiology.
The above briefly sums up the current literature on the frozen shoulder which has not changed for the number of years that I have studied the subject. Clinical experience has shown another concept.
The nerve supply to the shoulder primarily comes from the lower neck. So what if that was compromised? As an example, a whiplash injury to the neck, even a minor one, may take anywhere up to 8 years before symptomatology occurs. So unknown etiology? Or just forgotten traumas?
And what if the elbow joint has some form of irritation from overuse or trauma. Seems a long way from the shoulder joint, but is it? The body does do some interesting stuff when seen in whole. Recruitment is a term used by some professions and is used to explain why when one muscle group is not working as well as it should, other unrelated muscles attempt to help out. Result? Muscles working abnormally in another area of the body.
A neck problem leading to a shoulder problem? An elbow problem leading to a shoulder problem? And perhaps even a wrist problem leading to an elbow problem, to a shoulder problem?
Here are a few established exercises for the treatment of frozen shoulder.
1. Grasp a towel or belt with the involved arm and place that arm as far as possible behind you. Take the other end of the towel/belt and maneuver it over the opposite shoulder. Gently pull upward until you are feeling a significant, but not painful stretch. Hold for 20 seconds, relax the pull. Repeat 3 times. Do 3 times per day.
2. Stand and lift involved arm as straight out to the side of the body as possible. Keeping the arm at the same height, bring it across the front of your body and grab the elbow with the other hand exerting gentle pressure to stretch the shoulder. Find the pain and back off out of pain. Hold for 20 seconds. Repeat 3 times. 3 times per day.
3. On your back with arms at your side, lift the involved arm straight up and over your head as far as you can. Grab the elbow with the other hand and gently exert pressure to stretch the arm into the point of pain. Back off out of pain. Hold for 20 seconds. Repeat 3 times. 3 times per day.
David Morton is a Doctor of Chiropractic with over 30 years clinical experience. He wishes to share his expertise in this field. His website http://www.betterspines.com offers simple ways to increase flexibility and improve overall health and fitness. Get your Free Sample Pack now
Tags: adhesive capsulitis, exercises, flexibility, Frozen Shoulder, health, physical therapy, rehabilitation
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