Frozen Shoulder: Is Osteopathy An Effective Treatment for Quick Recovery?

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A frozen shoulder is generally very uncomfortable and makes life very awkward with the stiffness in the shoulder. The correct name is adhesive capsulitis of the shoulder. The onset is normally gradual and there are a variety of possible causes. Prior problems with the neck or elbow are common as is a fall perhaps forgotten in the previous few weeks or months.

The nature of a frozen shoulder is that it progressively worsens and it is this very gradual deterioration that prevents many from realizing there is a problem until at least 3 months has passed. Often the affected arm will become painful making it difficult to sleep on that side at night time. There will also be pain in the surrounding muscle bulk commonly. The condition affects women more so than men and most frequently aged 40’s, 50’s and 60’s.

Unfortunately, the progressive nature of the condition means that it is often not seen in clinic until it is very advanced, by which time there is severe immobility of the shoulder.

On the upside, it is rare for there to be more serious complications. Treatment osteopathically is normally sufficient for the condition to improve substantially if a treatment program is completed.

For competitive sports players, a structured rehabilitation program is essential to restore mobility as well as for continued improvements in the shoulder.

At Osteoklinika we have had very good success with Frozen Shoulder patients!

Shoulder Anatomy

Of all the major joints in the human body the shoulder joint has the greatest range of movement.This is facilitated by a very shallow ball and socket which is held in place by the rotator cuff muscles – a group of 4 muscles and tendons surrounding the shoulder joint that also control the complex motion of the joint.The process leading to a frozen shoulder is not fully understood, although it is likely that damage or impingement of the rotator cuff causes inflammation and stiffness. Because the joint is likely to then be protected, the stiffness worsens gradually leading to a frozen shoulder.

Unlike the back or the knee which are weight bearing, the shoulder joints are such that you can protect them by reducing their usage. It is likely that this becomes part of a compensation pattern subconsciously meaning that the joint becomes further immobilized and the stiffness develops still further.

Osteopathic Treatment 

Once a frozen shoulder is suspected, osteopathic treatment should be started as soon as possible, if the recovery time is to be shortened as much as possible.

Medical opinion is that frozen shoulders typically take 18 – 24 months to recover if untreated. The majority of patients presented to me at Osteoklniika are not frozen solid as they are seen earlier enough to prevent that. These are then treated and recover normally within 2 to 3 months or even less!

It should be remembered that frozen shoulders are often caused by or result in problems in other areas such as the neck, back or elbow. It is therefore highly important that the cause and underlying factors are properly investigated. An osteopath will help you by looking into any underlying factors as well as posture and lifestyle. This is vital to ensure a rapid recovery as well as ensuring that the injury is not allowed to recur.

Your osteopath will use a variety of techniques in your treatment. These range from the very gentle to the rather more forceful depending upon your situation and your preference. They are likely to include treatment to the shoulder as well as to the neck and back coupled with posture and lifestyle advice. Treatment will continue over a period of weeks or months. However, we believe in Bio-Structural Integration™ at Osteoklinika and Low Intensity Laser Treatment for Frozen Shoulder.

Low Light Laser Therapy and Bio-Structural Integration™ for Frozen Shoulder

Every cell in our body works synergistically together to maintain homeostasis. When one system is disturbed the other cannot function properly. In my method of Bio-Structural Integration™, I address the dysfunction at every level. Within one treatment I use Cranial Osteopathy to release central nervous system lesions. After that I use an Osteopathic Muscle Energy Technique to correct the joints, followed by Myofascial Release of connective tissue. Neuromuscular Massage is implemented to reduce muscular tension, and Electrotherapy helps to interrupt the pain cycle. All of the above is done within a 1 hour treatment.

Laser Therapy for Frozen Shoulder

After the structure is realigned I recommend Low Light Laser Therapy (LLLT) to deal with inflammation as a result of the Frozen Shoulder. Healing is now stimulated at the cellular level. This session may take 30 minutes to 1 hour depending on the condition being treated and the protocol selected. In an acute situation we recommend a minimum of 12 laser therapy sessions. Elimination of inflammatory process assists in structural stabilization of the joints. As a result, muscles and ligaments relax; fascia releases its tension, flexibility increases helping to bring back normal range of motion and reduction of pain for the shoulder.

The program of rehabilitation could be up to 5 weeks long and provides more than 90% of success in bringing back a pain free should and life! If you have tried every possible known therapy and still have pain, you should not give up. Surgery should be the last resort.  During many years of practice I developed protocols for numerous difficult-to-treat conditions such as LLLT.

Shoulder Advice

Keep using your shoulder joint as ‘normally’ as possible.  Seek out a better pillow to ensure your sleep posture is allowing for minimal pain during the night.  Seek advice sooner rather than later. Take professional advice and make sure you follow it – there is no quick fix to treating frozen shoulder, it is a gradual process. Make sure that you carry out any prescribed exercises regularly. Avoid making the shoulder too painful as this will increase the inflammation and stiffness, slowing down the healing process.

What Do You Do If Osteopathy Does Not Work?

There are a small minority of cases where manual therapies are insufficient and surgical options need to be considered. In this situation a shoulder arthroscopy may be suggested to investigate, repair or free up the frozen shoulder. Rarely, where there is extensive damage to the joint, a replacement joint may be considered. However, it should be remembered that this is a complex joint and surgical replacement is more difficult and less common than hip or knee replacement.

Important to Note

The purpose of this article is to educate. While every effort has been made to ensure its accuracy, its content should not be construed as definitive medical advice or health advice. It is not a substitute for professional examination and advice.  Because each individual’s health care needs are unique and because medical knowledge is always evolving, please consult a qualified health care professional to obtain the most current recommendations appropriate to your needs. Neither the author nor the publisher shall be liable for any outcome or damages resulting from reliance upon the content of this publication.

 

For more information about inflammation and pain, Andrew Subieta can be reached at Osteoklinika Pain Management & Rehabilitation 905.660.8810. Also, please check our website at www.osteoklinika.com for more information about Bio-Structural Integration™.  You can also find us on Google +, Facebook, LinkedIn or Twitter pages.