Frozen shoulder, known medically as Adhesive Capsulitis or Frozen Shoulder, is a condition arising from limited movement of the shoulder joint, so that the shoulder cannot be raised or rotated normally, usually with pain as well, which affects the conduct of daily life. If it is not treated appropriately, frozen shoulder may become more severe, until it affects daily living. Fortunately, frozen shoulder can be treated in several ways, and recovery does not always require surgery. Let us see what the ways of releasing fascia at the shoulder are.

The cause of frozen shoulder

Frozen shoulder is the condition that occurs when the shoulder joint becomes inflamed, so that it catches and the shoulder joint can move only in a limited way. This condition usually arises from the capsule of the shoulder joint thickening and contracting, which many people call fascia at the shoulder, with the result that moving the shoulder becomes harder. When you try to raise the arm or move the shoulder in various directions, there is pain. This condition usually lasts a long time and can steadily worsen the patient's quality of life, so that a way of releasing fascia at the shoulder has to be found to help the symptoms improve.

The symptoms of frozen shoulder you should know

Frozen shoulder usually begins with pain around the shoulder joint in the first period, which may feel tight or painful when you try to move the shoulder in various directions, and the symptoms gradually become more severe in the period that follows. These symptoms are usually found:

Aching in the shoulder joint, particularly while moving the arm or the shoulder
Limited movement of the shoulder joint, being unable to raise the arm to the level once possible, or unable to raise the arm fully, with pain when it is raised
Pain when doing daily activities, such as putting on clothes or reaching for something high up
In some cases there may be chronic pain while sleeping

The stages of frozen shoulder

Frozen shoulder can be divided into 3 main stages, each of which has different symptoms and a different course, from the stage with pain to the stage in which movement of the shoulder joint begins to recover. Understanding the various stages of frozen shoulder makes treatment more effective.

The inflammatory stage

Frozen shoulder at this stage is the beginning stage of the frozen shoulder joint. There is inflammation in the shoulder joint, with the result that the pain increases even when the arm is not moved. The pain usually lasts a long time, from 2-9 months, and movement of the shoulder joint begins to decrease. These symptoms may make the patient feel discouraged, because the pain affects daily living.

The frozen stage

On entering the frozen stage, movement of the shoulder joint decreases noticeably. The patient feels that the shoulder joint is stuck and cannot move fully. The pain may decrease in part, but movement remains limited, and there may be difficulty in daily activities requiring movement of the shoulder joint, such as raising the hand or putting on clothes. The symptoms at this stage last from 4-9 months or longer.

The recovery stage

In the recovery stage the pain gradually decreases, and movement of the shoulder joint improves until it can move more. However, this also depends on the treatment, the physiotherapy, and the way of releasing fascia at the shoulder used alongside. Recovery at this stage may take from 5 months up to 2 years, depending on the severity of the symptoms in each individual.

Treating the frozen shoulder joint without surgery

Frozen shoulder can be treated in several ways, without surgery always being necessary. These ways of releasing fascia at the shoulder help reduce the pain and increase the flexibility of the shoulder joint so that it can move normally again.

Rehabilitation medicine

Treatment with rehabilitation medicine is a way of treating frozen shoulder that emphasises holistic care, so that the patient does not have the symptoms again. The ways of releasing fascia at the shoulder range from physiotherapy, such as stretching and mobilising the shoulder joint and strengthening the muscles around the shoulder joint, which helps reduce tightness and increase movement of the shoulder joint in the long term, to dry needling, the use of the Peripheral Magnetic Stimulation (PMS) device, and the High Power Laser Therapy device, which can help relieve the pain, increase the range of the joint, and improve the overall quality of life.

Besides this, the frozen shoulder joint also has ways of releasing fascia at the shoulder that can be treated with specific techniques, such as PRP (Platelet Rich Plasma) injection or Shoulder Dilatation, a treatment that helps open the space inside the shoulder joint that has contracted or become stuck so that it can move more widely. Both treatments use the Ultrasound Guided technique so that the injection is more precise and safer. PRP injection helps stimulate the repair of the inflamed tissue in the shoulder joint, while Shoulder Dilatation helps expand the shoulder joint and increase movement. After treatment by these two methods, physiotherapy can be done alongside, so that the result of the treatment is as effective as possible. However, physiotherapy should follow the advice of a specialist to prevent recurrence.

Injection

In some cases the doctor may advise an injection to relieve the frozen shoulder joint, which can help relieve the pain from the inflammation, particularly in cases where there is inflammation together with the sticking of the shoulder joint. A steroid injection helps reduce the inflammation and makes physiotherapy more effective.

Taking medication to relieve the symptoms

Taking medication to relieve the pain, such as anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or other painkillers, may help reduce the pain in the first period. Medication helps relieve the pain of frozen shoulder, but its use should follow a doctor's advice, so that side effects or unnecessary use do not arise.

Recommended exercises as a way of releasing fascia at the shoulder

Doing these exercises regularly is a way of releasing fascia at the shoulder, helping to reduce frozen shoulder and making the shoulder muscles more flexible. They should be done consistently, and if the symptoms still do not improve, you should see a doctor for further assessment and treatment.

Shoulder circles (Pendulum Exercise)

Stand up straight with the feet apart at hip width
Bend forward a little, using the other hand to support yourself on a table or chair
Let the painful arm hang down, then gradually swing the arm in small circles in one direction
Repeat about 10 times, then change the direction of the circling
While doing it you should feel tightness around the shoulder but no pain; if it hurts it means you are doing too much, so reduce the force of the swing

Wall climb (Wall Climb Exercise)

Stand facing a wall, using the wall as a support
Raise the arm on the painful or frozen side, keeping the arm straight
Use the hand to climb up the wall, so that you feel tightness around the shoulder but no pain
Hold for 10-15 seconds, or until you feel relaxed
Gradually lower the hand back to the starting position, repeating 5-10 times, morning and evening
If it hurts you should stop and lower how far you climb the wall

Shoulder stretch

Begin standing up straight, with both hands clasped behind the back
Straighten the arms, trying to raise them high enough to feel tightness around the shoulder
Hold this position for about 10-15 seconds, without pressing to the point of pain
Gradually lower the arms back to the starting position
Repeat 5-10 times, morning and evening
This exercise helps stretch the muscle and improves movement of the shoulder

Treating the frozen shoulder joint at PYONG Rehabilitation Clinic

Treatment of the frozen shoulder joint at PYONG Rehabilitation Clinic is the rehabilitation of the muscles around the shoulder so that they can be used normally again. Treatment can be given with shockwave therapy, dry needling, peripheral magnetic stimulation (PMS), treatment with high power laser therapy, and also methods such as the injection of platelet rich plasma (PRP), treatment with a highly concentrated solution (Prolotherapy), the injection of saline to expand the joint, and the injection of a steroid into the joint. However, the patient should come and consult the doctor first, so that the doctor can assess the symptoms and give advice suited to the symptoms present.

What stands out about treatment at PYONG Rehabilitation Clinic

What stands out about PYONG Rehabilitation Clinic is that it is a specialist medical clinic in the field of rehabilitation medicine, run by rehabilitation physicians and physiotherapists with specialist expertise, ready to treat the frozen shoulder joint at every stage, so that you can return to living normally. Importantly, here we give weight not only to treatment but also to advice on caring for yourself, so that the frozen shoulder joint does not come back again.

FAQ

For anyone with questions about the frozen shoulder joint, we have selected the questions most often met to help resolve your doubts.

Does treatment of the frozen shoulder joint at PYONG Rehabilitation Clinic cure it completely?

Treatment of the frozen shoulder joint at PYONG Rehabilitation Clinic is the rehabilitation of the muscles around the shoulder so that they can be used effectively again. It is a way of releasing fascia at the shoulder that allows the condition to be cured completely. However, correct self-care should be carried on alongside, so that it does not come back again.

Does the frozen shoulder joint require surgery?

The frozen shoulder joint does not require surgery, but treatment takes about 12-18 months, over which the symptoms gradually improve. Treatment and advice along the lines of rehabilitation medicine are necessary, however, to maintain the range of the joint and prevent wasting of the shoulder during the course of the condition.

What is the price of treating the frozen shoulder joint at PYONG Rehabilitation Clinic?

Treatment of the frozen shoulder joint at PYONG Rehabilitation Clinic can be given in several forms, with the following prices:

Dry needling together with treatment of injury with laser light (High Power Laser), a course of 5 sessions, price 24,000 baht
Reducing deep pain with magnetic stimulation, a course of 5 sessions, price 16,000 baht
Treatment of injury with laser light (High Power Laser), a course of 5 sessions, price 16,000 baht

Summary

Frozen shoulder is a problem that can arise from several causes, and it can be treated if it is cared for appropriately. Treatment without surgery emphasises the rehabilitation of the muscles and the shoulder joint through physiotherapy, injection, or medication, in order to reduce the pain. However, diagnosis by a doctor should be obtained in order to choose the method of treatment suited to each individual's symptoms. Treatment from the earliest stage helps recovery to come faster, and allows a return to normal daily life.