How To Treat Frozen Shoulder Naturally?
What Is Frozen Shoulder?
Frozen shoulder is also known as adhesive capsulitis. It is a condition in which stiffness and pain occurs in your shoulder joint. The signs and symptoms begin gradually, that gets worse with time and resolve within one to three years.
In the case of stroke and mastectomy, the risk of developing frozen shoulder increases as a person is unable to move his/her arm.
In human body, anatomy of shoulder includes ball-and-socket joint that is formed of three bones. These bones are humerus (upper arm bone), scapula (shoulder blade), and clavicle (collarbone). This ball-and-socket joint is surrounded by strong connective tissue known as shoulder capsule. When this shoulder capsule thickens, becomes stiff and tight it leads to a condition known as frozen shoulder.
How Frozen Shoulder Develops?
Frozen shoulder develops slowly in three stages. Each stage can last for a couple of months.
Stage 1 {Freezing stage} – Due to pain in the shoulder, its movement and motion become restricted. It worse over time and hurt more at night. This stage last from 6 to 9 months.
Stage 2 {Frozen stage} – Diminishing pain occurs in this stage and shoulder starts becoming stiffer and its movement becomes more difficult. It lasts for 4 to 12 months.
Stage 3 {Thawing stage} – Improvement in range of motion of shoulder begins in this stage. This last for 6 months to 2 years.
Causes Of Frozen Shoulder
The exact cause is unknown.
In frozen shoulder the capsule becomes so thick and tight that it’s unable to move. Synovial fluid is less which keeps joint lubricated as well as bands of scar tissue are formed. The movement is restricted due to these factors.
OTHER CAUSES:-
Rotator cuff injury
Broken Arm
Stroke
Recovery from surgery
SYSTEMIC DISEASES THAT MAY CAUSE FROZEN SHOULDER:-
Diabetes
Tuberculosis
Overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism)
Underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism)
Cardiovascular disease
Parkinson’s disease
Symptoms Of Frozen Shoulder
Pain and stiffness which makes movement restricted.
Dull and hurting pain in the shoulder.
Sensation in the upper arm.
Risk Factors Of Frozen Shoulder
COMMON RISK FACTORS FOR FROZEN SHOULDER ARE:
Age:Being over 40 years of age is a risk factor both in men and women.
Gender: Women is affected more. More than 70% of people with frozen shoulder are women.
Recent trauma:Surgery or an arm fracture can lead to immobility which causes stiffness of shoulder during its recovery.
Diabetes: 10 to 20% of people with diabetesdevelop frozen shoulder, and symptoms may be more severe. The reasons are unclear.
Diagnosis Of Frozen Shoulder
To diagnose frozen shoulder, a physical examination is done by a doctor. One will check how badly it hurts and how far it can move. During the “active” part of the exam, one will move their shoulder on your own. During the “passive” portion, a doctor will move it for you, and the difference is noted.
Diagnosis is made on a range of motion. A physical examination is enough to diagnose frozen shoulder, but your doctor may also order imaging tests such as X-rays, USG, or MRI to rule out other problems like arthritis or a torn rotator cuff that is also painful condition and limit how far it moved.
Exercises For Frozen Shoulder
PENDULUM STRETCH
Do this exercise. In this exercise first, relax your shoulders. Stand and lean, allow the affected arm to hang down slightly. Make your arm to Swing in a small circle – about a foot in diameter. Repeat this 10 times in each direction, once a day. As you see improvement in symptoms, increase the diameter of your swing, without any force. When you’re ready for more, increase the stretch by holding a light weight (three to five pounds) in the swinging arm.
TOWEL STRETCH
Hold one end of taking a three-foot-long towel, hold it from one end. Took behind your back and grab the opposite end with your other hand. In a horizontal position hold the towel. Use your healthy arm to pull the affected arm upward and stretch it. An advanced version of this exercise can also be done. In this the towel has to be draped over your healthy shoulder. Hold the towel bottom with the affected arm and pull it toward the lower back with the unaffected arm. Repeat this 10 to 20 times a day.
CROSS BODY STRETCH
You can do this in sitting or standing position. Use your healthy arm to lift your affected arm at the elbow, and bring it up across your body or shoulder, exert a gentle pressure to stretch the shoulder. Hold the stretch for 15 to 20 seconds. Repeat this 10 to 20 times per day.
