Frozen Shoulder: Free Yourself ~ Nanaimo Chiropractor

Frozen Shoulder ~ Nanaimo Chiropractor

Frozen Shoulder ~ Nanaimo Chiropractor

Frozen Shoulder

Frozen shoulder is a very common condition, affecting roughly 1 in every 50 people. It’s technical name is adhesive capsulitis. People with this condition will have deep shoulder pain and struggle to lift their arm. What is happening to the shoulder? Scar tissue is forming around the shoulder joint.

Typically, frozen shoulder starts following a period of inactivity of the shoulder. Because the shoulder isn’t being used enough, the adhesions have a chance to form. If you have ever broken an arm or finger you’ll undersand. When you take the cast or splint off after the break has healed, your arm or finger feels stiff because of adhesions. The same happens with frozen shoulder. Often the inactivity in the shoulder is because we were already resting a previous injury, such as a rotator cuff tear. Periods of rest following a surgery have also been known to allow frozen shoulder to develop.

Here’s a few key pieces of info you should know:

  • •  affects women more than men.
  • •  more often found in those over 40 years old, perhaps because they tend to be less active.
  • •  affects the left sholder more, presumably because we keep our dominant right arm more mobile.
  • •  is associated with disc degeneration in the neck.
  • •  occurs more frequently in those with diabetes.
  • •  if left untreated it will heal on it’s own, but typically takes 2-3 years.

You should also know that chiropractic can help with frozen shoulder. Through conservative measures, a chiropractor can loosen the adhesions that lead to the pain and immobility of frozen shoulder. At first this is done through stretches. These must be done very gently at first. Breaking too many adhesions at once simply leads to a proliferation of new scar tissue. Once the motion starts to return, the stretching can be done more intensively. The patient will also be given an active role in their care, through home stretching and exercise. Additionally, as frozen shoulder is associated with degeneration of the spine, your chiropractor will also examine your spine.

If you are looking for a Nanaimo chiropractor to deal with your shoulder, look no further than the team at Pure Chiropractic. Dr. Hare will diagnose your shoulder problem and give you the proper course of action, helping you get back to life!

 

 

Photo credit: http://www.freedigitalphotos.net/images/closeup-of-young-man-having-pain-in-shoulder-photo-p184382