Overcoming Frozen Shoulder: Effective Treatments Explained

In our regular chore of life, we often come across different kinds of ailments but we tend to ignore one of the prominent ones and that is ‘pain’. 

Imagine you have woken up and you have taken your brush but you felt a sting like pain in your arm. Somehow you managed brushing, then post bath you tried to brush your hair, but your arm is not rising above your back. It's painful and somewhat ‘frozen’. This sounds very familiar? Then this is nothing but ‘frozen shoulder— a pain which slowly creeps into our lives due to age and sometimes for a sedentary lifestyle.

 

What is a frozen shoulder?

Frozen shoulder also known as ‘adhesive capsulitis’ is an immensely painful and limiting condition that affects the shoulder joint, limiting activity, creating stiffness and making the shoulder frozen. The condition gradually deepens, often restricting daily life mobility and hampering work. Often simple chores like sleeping in a specific direction becomes like a nightmare with pain. Though experts are still not clear about the exact cause of the pain and research is still on, but the good news is that frozen shoulder is curable. In this blog, let’s discuss frozen shoulder, different stages of frozen shoulder, its causes, frozen shoulder remedy and frozen shoulder treatment in homeopathy. By arming ourselves with this knowledge, we can surely fight off the condition and lead a normal life.

Different causes of frozen shoulder

As mentioned, the exact cause of frozen shoulder is not known to us, but still it is believed that frozen shoulder develops when the tissue in the shoulder capsule gets stiff and scarred. The shoulder capsule is a thin elastic tissue which covers and surrounds the shoulder joint. When the capsule tightens and stiffens then frozen shoulder develops. The condition affects roughly 2-5% of the population worldwide and mostly between the age group of 40-60. It is believed that different health issues may lead to frozen shoulders. The prominent causes can be mentioned as follows.

• Age and gender- Age and gender plays a very crucial role in development of frozen shoulders. In most cases, between 40-60 and women more than men are more prone to this disease.
• Chronic health conditions- Chronic health conditions are also responsible for diabetes, hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, cardiovascular and also Parkinson’s diseases increases the risk of developing frozen shoulders. Individuals with diabetes are more prone to develop frozen shoulders and in few cases, the pain can be severe.
• Sedentary lifestyle- Lifestyle also plays a critical role in developing frozen shoulders. The more you stay inactive, the shoulder capsules tend to get tight and stiff and frozen shoulders can develop.
• Fluctuations in hormones- Hormones fluctuate for different reasons and that might create a risk of developing frozen shoulders. Particularly during the menopausal period, women are more prone towards developing stiffness in their shoulder capsules.
• Shoulder immobility- Shoulder immobility due to any surgery, injury or any massive stroke can result in shoulder immobility and then it may lead to frozen shoulder.

Stages of frozen shoulder

Frozen shoulder as a condition gradually increases with time. It has different stages and each stage has its unique symptoms and progression. Typically frozen shoulders have 3 distinct stages.

1. Freezing stage- (Painful phase)- In the onset of this pain, the stiffness gradually sets in and then increases particularly with each motion. Also the pain is sharp and it reaches its peak at night fall. Slowly motion starts to decrease as the shoulder capsule gets inflammable and restricts movement leading to immense pain. Typically lasts 2 to 9 months.
2. Frozen stage- (Stiff phase)- In this phase, pain starts to ease a bit, but stiffness increases a lot, making mobility more and more restricted. Everyday activities like combing, brushing teeth and wearing clothes become difficult and often require assistance. The more the stiffness, the lesser the usage of the muscles in the shoulder capsule weakens due to reduced usage. Typically it lasts from 4- 12 months.
3. Thawing stage- (final phase)-The final stage typically sees reduced stiffness and pain and slowly the condition returns to near normalcy. However during night-time, occasional pain can arise and recovery usually takes time. Recovery varies from person to person, sometimes lasting more than 12 months or more than that. Typically lasts more than 2-3 years.

 

Typical symptoms and diagnosis

Symptoms of frozen shoulder are typically different in 3 stages. But it is always advisable to recognize the symptoms early and then act upon it as early as possible. The most common warning signs are :-

• Stiffness in shoulders- Stiffness actually affects one shoulder at a time and makes movement really difficult.
• Severe Pain- Pain is found typically at one side of the shoulder, making sleep difficult in that position and can disrupt sleep in the long run.
• Limited range of motion- Motion becomes really limited with daily chores of life like moving an arm, tucking shirt, brushing your hair or others.
• Impact on daily activities- The extent of symptoms vary depending on which shoulder is affected, limiting daily work and impacting life.

Diagnosis of frozen shoulder and natural remedies for it

Frozen shoulder diagnosis involves a lot of medical history review, physical examination and tests. Doctors generally examine through the above mentioned ways. Herein, it is to note that natural and holistic healing also is gaining popularity amongst individuals and there are few frozen shoulder remedies which we will mention in the blog below. There is good news that frozen shoulders can be healed and cured. There is also bad news. That it takes time and consistency. Let us go through the remedies.

i. Physical therapy or exercise- Physical therapy or exercise plays a crucial role in treating frozen shoulders. The more and more you move your shoulder, the faster you recover. Popular exercises include.

• Pendulum swings- People with rotator cuff injuries or shoulder injuries can benefit a lot from this exercise.
• Towel stretches- A towel stretch is a very useful exercise for frozen shoulders. It focuses on improving the range of motion, especially internal rotation. It involves using a towel to assist the affected arm in reaching further, either behind the back or up the wall.
• Finger walk on the wall- The finger walk on the wall is one of the effective frozen shoulder remedies. It helps increase mobility in the shoulder joints and helps break up adhesions in the shoulder point.
• Cross body reach- Also known as ‘cross arm stretch’ exercise, is a very useful exercise to increase mobility and reduce pain in the joint.

Practicing all these exercises 15 minutes a day can improve the condition of frozen shoulders slowly.

ii. Heat and ice therapy- Warm compresses works well in curing frozen shoulders if done right before exercising. After exercise, using an ice pack in the affected area can help loosen the muscle and reduce the inflammation.

iii. Painkillers- Over the counter drugs work really well in relieving pain caused by frozen shoulders and helps receive good sleep.

iv. Physiotherapy- Physiotherapy works very well in frozen shoulders. Therapies like laser therapy, ultrasound and moist heat therapy works really in reducing pain and improving mobility.

 

Frozen shoulder treatment in homeopathy

Homeopathy is a natural remedy which offers holistic solutions for a wide range of diseases. Frozen shoulder treatment is quite possible in homeopathy and it treats the pain from the roots. In management of adhesive capsulitis, homeopathy offers holistic treatment. Medicines like Ferrum phos, Rhus Tox and Sangunaria work very well in different stages of frozen shoulder. 

Another very natural and useful product which is very effective in treating shoulder pain is Spondin, A flagship product of Doctor Bhargava, Spondin offers a safe, effective and side-effect free relief for neck pain, shoulder pain and provides relief from stiffness and shoulder pain. Available in various combo offers, the product is available in oral spray form and can be used as a 15 days trial. The oral spray contains some natural ingredients -

i. Hypercium Perforatum 5X- Soothes cervical discomfort

ii. Cuprum metallicum 6X- Eases cramp and spasms

iii.Conium Maculatum 3X- Loosens stiffness for better mobility

iv. Colocynthis Vulgaris 3X- Neutralizes sharp shooting pain

v. Ruta Graveolens 3X- Supports tissues which connects

vi. Dulcamara 3X- Reduces muscle tightness which is caused mainly by cold.

vii.Ledum Palustre 2X- Works on stiff areas during rest and gives relief.

Closing thoughts

Frozen shoulder feels like the body has tightened and locked itself up. But the recovery is not locked and it can be cured. With the right mix of frozen shoulder remedies, exercises, lifestyle changes and expert help can help reduce pain and get back to a normal course of life. And with homeopathic treatment and natural diagnosis our body can respond quickly. So, it is also required to listen to our body, act accordingly and start moving a bit.

FAQ's

Q1. What is frozen shoulder?

A: It is a condition where the shoulder joint gets inflamed and causes immense pain in the shoulders. 

Q2. Symptoms of frozen shoulder?

A: The prominent symptoms includes severe pain in the shoulder area, inability to move shoulder joint, sharp pain which increases at night and disrupting daily life chore

Q3. Is frozen shoulder related to age?

A: While frozen shoulders can happen to any person, it is more prominent in people from the age group of 40.

Q4. Does stress and anxiety trigger frozen shoulders?

A: While stress does not have a direct impact on frozen shoulder, but prolonged depression, stress gives rise to immobility which can lead to frozen shoulder.

Q5. Who is at risk of getting a frozen shoulder?

A: People with diabetes, heart patients, breast cancer patients, people with thyroid issues, Parkinson disease patients and stroke -sufferers are more prone towards developing frozen shoulders.