We use our shoulders much more than we realize in our daily life, and pain and stiffness in the area is a major disruption to the items on our to-do list.
Pain and discomfort in your shoulder joint affect your ability to do almost everything, and when it becomes a chronic issue like a frozen shoulder, it takes more than just adjusting your sleeping style or stretching to find relief.
A frozen shoulder is when your shoulder becomes stuck and has severely limited movement, and people with frozen shoulder often require medication to treat the pain and have trouble sleeping.
While some shoulder pain can come from a sudden injury, overuse and wear and tear can also lead to frozen shoulder, a more sustained, more serious problem that needs to be diagnosed based on signs and symptoms.
Fortunately, chiropractic care is an alternative treatment option to medication or surgery. Read on to see how a chiropractor can help treat your shoulder pain and frozen shoulder.
What Is a Frozen Shoulder?
Your shoulder is typically one of the most mobile joints in your body, but a frozen shoulder is when your shoulder becomes stiff and painful, and your movement ability gradually decreases. It is often caused by inflammation in the tissues surrounding your shoulder joint, and the tissues become thicker and can develop scar tissue.
It’s important to know the symptoms of frozen shoulder so you can catch the condition as soon as possible. The longer it goes untreated, the more severe it will become.
Frozen shoulder generally consists of three stages:
The Freezing Stage: During the freezing stage, your frozen shoulder is just beginning to set in. Any movement in your shoulder joint causes pain and your range of motion is limited.
The Frozen Stage: During the frozen stage, stiffness sets into your shoulder joint and restricts movement even more. The pain may subside, but shoulder use becomes more difficult.
The Thawing Stage: The final stage, the thawing stage, is when you’ll start to notice reduced pain and stiffness in your shoulder, and movement gradually becomes easier.
What Causes Frozen Shoulder?
Frozen shoulder can be caused by any number of factors.
A sudden injury or trauma to your shoulder can lead to inflammation and subsequent scar tissue in the joint which restricts your movement and results in a stiff shoulder joint.
Similarly, when the shoulder is immobilized for an extended period of time (perhaps due to injury, surgery, or other conditions), the joint capsule can become stiff and tight.
Certain medical conditions like diabetes, thyroid disorders, heart disease, and Parkinson’s disease can all lead to frozen shoulder as well.
How Can Chiropractic Care Help With Frozen Shoulder?
While medications and injections are common treatment options for frozen shoulder, non-invasive chiropractic adjustments can be beneficial as well.
A chiropractic adjustment realigns your skeletal system so that all joints and bones are properly aligned and receive the right amount of pressure from your muscles and tendons. One popular technique used in treating frozen shoulder is the Niel Asher Technique, combining chiropractic manipulations and massage.
Spinal adjustments are another effective technique for treating frozen shoulder as they can reduce pressure on the shoulder joint.
A frozen shoulder chiropractor can apply the required pressure to the affected shoulder joint and properly stretch the connecting muscles, while medical massage therapy can improve blood flow and release tension from the muscles surrounding the shoulder, helping them to support the joint.
Furthermore, chiropractors do more than adjust your spine and send you home. Just as important as chiropractic adjustments and massage therapy are proper stretching techniques and exercises aimed at improving your range of motion.
With proper joint alignment and tension-free muscles, movement and exercise will be easier and will help keep your shoulder joint healthy to prevent further damage.
Chiropractic is an excellent non-invasive and drug-free treatment option for frozen shoulder meaning side effects are minimal.
Get Relief from Frozen Shoulder Today
Frozen shoulder is more serious than a sore shoulder. It’s a serious condition that can disrupt your daily life and can require surgery if left untreated.
Remember that no amount of pain or stiffness is normal, so don’t take it lightly. If you notice a lack of mobility in your shoulder joint, schedule an appointment with a chiropractor today.
At Lakes Chiropractic & Wellness, we are here to help you with all of your health issues, and we understand how lacking mobility or being in constant pain affects your daily life. We give each of our patients focused and personalized care so you can be back to your best as quickly as possible.
If you’re looking to see a chiropractor for frozen shoulder or any discomfort you may be having, contact us today to get treatment started.
