Frozen shoulder is a condition that affects the mobility of the shoulder joint, and it can also be quite painful. It is most common in middle age and older adults, and while the pathology of frozen shoulder isn’t completely understood, diabetics and those who have prolonged shoulder immobility (like what might occur following a shoulder injury or surgery) are more likely to develop the condition. In today’s blog, we take a closer look at what you should do and what you should avoid as you work to treat your frozen shoulder injury.
What To Do If You Have Frozen Shoulder
Frozen shoulder tends to have good treatment results when the problem is attacked head on. On the flip side, pain and mobility issues can linger for months or years if the problem is only passively treated. The condition tends to pass through three stages as it develops and heals, and these are known as the freezing stage, the frozen stage and the thawing stage. Below, we share some things you should do to help you pass through these stages sooner.
- Do Consult With A Specialist – If your shoulder regularly feels stiff, immobile or painful, set up an appointment with a shoulder specialist like Dr. Holloway. He’ll be able to assess the damage, give a clear diagnosis and set you up with an individualized treatment plan based on your specific needs.
- Do Your PT Exercises Regularly – Arguably the single best thing you can do for a shoulder that is going through the stages of frozen shoulder is to complete your physical therapy exercises as advised by your physician. Strength training and mobility exercises will help to increase flexibility in the joint and make movement less painful.
- Do Ice Your Shoulder – Ice your shoulder for 15 minutes a few times each day. This will help to calm inflammation and swelling that can contribute to mobility issues.
- Do Take Your Medications Carefully – Anti-inflammatory medications and pain relievers can help with normal discomfort that you’ll experience with frozen shoulder, but you need to be smart about how you use these medications. Always follow your doctor’s instructions and never take more than recommended.
What Not To Do If You Have Frozen Shoulder
Similarly, there are some actions and activities that should be avoided if you’re dealing with frozen shoulder because they can exacerbate the condition. Here are some of the things you’ll want to avoid as you progress through the stages of frozen shoulder.
- Don’t Keep Doing Physical Activity Like Normal – You might think that if you just keep working or doing physical tasks like normal that your shoulder will eventually “loosen up.” Oftentimes this only leads to more pain and can even lead to tissue damage. You can still use your shoulders, but stay within the recommendations provided by your physician.
- Don’t Sleep On That Shoulder – You probably won’t want to, but if you sleep on your shoulder, that extended pressure and stress can lead to more inflammation, soreness and stiffness upon waking. Avoid prolonged stress on the shoulder.
- Don’t Rely On Only Passive Options – If you skip your physical therapy exercises and instead rely on rest, ice and painkillers, you’re not going to progress through the stages very quickly. Active treatments will produce the best results. We know that these active options take a little more effort, but it will be worth it to help your shoulder recover faster.
If you can do all of the following actions, and avoid potentially problematic pitfalls, we’re confident that you can help accelerate your recovery from a frozen shoulder. And for more hands-on help, reach out to Dr. Holloway and his team today.
