Frozen shoulder is a condition that causes pain and stiffness in the shoulder. The condition is also known as adhesive capsulitis. Frozen shoulder usually affects people between the ages of 40 and 60. The condition is more common in women than in men.
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Frozen shoulder (FSH) occurs when the connective tissue surrounding the shoulder joint becomes swollen and stiff. This can happen for a variety of reasons, including injury, overuse, or medical conditions such as diabetes or thyroid disease. Frozen shoulder can also occur after surgery on the shoulder or arm.
Symptoms of FSH include pain and stiffness in the affected shoulder, difficulty moving the arm, and decreased range of motion of the arm. Symptoms usually develop gradually over time and may worsen before improving.
Treatment for FSH usually includes a combination of physical therapy, stretching exercises, and pain-relieving medications. Surgery is rarely needed. With treatment, most people with frozen shoulder will eventually regain full range of motion in the affected arm.
What is rheumatoid arthritis?
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a form of arthritis that causes inflammation, pain and stiffness in the joints. RA usually affects people between the ages of 40 and 60. Women are more likely to develop RA than men.
RA is an autoimmune disease, which means that the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks healthy tissue. In RA, the immune system attacks the lining of the joints and causes inflammation. This causes pain, stiffness and eventually joint damage.
RA can affect any joint in the body, but most commonly affects the joints of the hands, wrists and feet. RA can also cause fatigue, weight loss and fever.
There is no cure for RA, but there are treatments that can help relieve symptoms and slow joint damage. These treatments include medications, physical therapy and surgery.
Causes of frozen shoulder
One of the most common causes of frozen shoulder is simply aging. As we age, our tendons and ligaments become less elastic, making them more susceptible to injury. Other risk factors for developing frozen shoulder include:
- Previous shoulder injury or surgery
- Diabetes
- Thyroid problems
- Cardiovascular disease
Frozen shoulder can also be caused by prolonged immobilization of the arm, such as might occur after removal of a cast. This is why frozen shoulder is sometimes called “periarthritis” or “capsulitis”.
Symptoms of frozen shoulder
Symptoms of frozen shoulder can vary from person to person, but the most common symptom is pain. The pain can range from a dull ache to a sharp, stabbing pain. It is often worse at night and can make it difficult to sleep. Other symptoms include stiffness and loss of range of motion in the affected shoulder. In some cases, the arm may feel weak or numb.
Frozen shoulder usually develops slowly over time. The first few weeks may involve only mild pain and stiffness. However, these symptoms will gradually worsen over several months. In some cases, frozen shoulder may last up to two years before resolving on its own.
Natural Treatment for Frozen Shoulder
If you experience shoulder pain and stiffness, it may be due to FSH. This condition, also known as adhesive capsulitis, is a common problem that can cause a great deal of discomfort.
While there is no clear cause for frozen shoulder, it often occurs after a shoulder injury or surgery. It can also develop after a prolonged period of immobility, such as during recovery from a broken arm.
Frozen shoulder usually progresses through three stages:
Stage 1: the “freezing” stage, during which symptoms begin to develop and the shoulder becomes increasingly painful and stiff.
Stage 2: the “frozen” stage, when pain subsides but stiffness remains.
Stage 3: the “thawing” stage, when range of motion gradually improves.
Most people with frozen shoulder will eventually recover without any treatment. However, the condition can be quite painful and disabling in the meantime. If you are looking for relief, there are several natural treatments that can help.
- Heat and cold therapy
One of the simplest and most effective ways to treat frozen shoulder is to alternate between heat and cold therapy.
Applying heat can help relax the muscles and relieve pain, while applying cold can help reduce inflammation.
To use heat therapy, try taking a warm shower or bath, use a heating pad on low heat, or soak a towel in warm water and place it over the affected shoulder. For cold therapy, try applying an ice pack wrapped in a thin towel for 20 minutes at a time.
- Exercise
Another effective treatment for FSH is exercise. While it may seem counterintuitive to exercise a painful, stiff joint, gentle movement can actually help increase range of motion and reduce pain.
A physical therapist can teach you specific exercises to do at home, but some simple exercises you can try include arm circles, shoulder shrugs and stretches with your hands behind your back. Start slowly with just a few repetitions and gradually increase as tolerated.
- Massage Therapy
Massage therapy may also be helpful in treating frozen shoulder. Massaging the muscles around the shoulder can help increase blood flow and improve range of motion. It can also help reduce pain and inflammation.
- Acupuncture
Acupuncture is another potential treatment for frozen shoulder. This traditional Chinese medicine therapy involves inserting fine needles into the skin at specific points on the body.
Acupuncture is believed to stimulate the nervous system and release endorphins, which can help reduce pain. It can also help increase blood flow and improve range of motion.
Conclusion
If you are suffering from a FSH, it is important to seek medical attention so that you can receive the proper diagnosis and treatment. However, there are also a number of natural treatments you can try at home to help alleviate your symptoms and speed your recovery. We hope this article has helped you better understand frozen shoulder and given you some ideas on how to treat it naturally. Do you have any other tips for treating frozen shoulder? Share them with us in the comments below!
