Comments on: Thawing Out Frozen Shoulder

By: Andrea

Andrea — Sun, 18 Dec 2011 19:43:34 +0000

I had frozen shoulder in my right arm about a year and a half ago. Went through physical theraphy and had an injection. I no longer have any painin the arm and my range of motion is actually better than it was before the frozen shoulder. My doctor warned me that the possibility of me having frozen shoulder in my left arm was pretty high. He was right. I’ve noticed the symptoms occuring now in my left shoulder. I think some of the PT aggravated my condition the first time around so I may not go through it this time around. I will probably need to cortisone shot at some point but I’m just going to go with the heat/ice and stretching.

By: Donna

Donna — Sat, 17 Dec 2011 00:33:56 +0000

I am a 52 year old woman, just diagnosed with frozen shoulder. I had suffered from a “aching” shoulder for almost 10 years, which I did nothing about except take Advil. Recent excruciating pain sent me the doctor and an MRI. I was told that since I did not seak treatment for my original ache, now diagnosed as bursitis and rotator cuff inflammation, I had subconsciously stopped using my shoulder to avoid pain, hence causing it to freeze. I’ve received a cortizone injection and immediately began PT. I am disheartened to read that the thawing process can take up to five months. Is this really true? The pain is difficult!

By: Lise

Lise — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 09:43:32 +0000

I have had 2 frozen shoulders at the same time for 9 months now! I just woke up one day and could not brush my hair. The pain has been excruciating and I still have limited mobility! I have seen 3 different physiotherapists. I have had IMS treatment, nothing works.

By: Rhonda

Rhonda — Mon, 25 Apr 2011 19:33:22 +0000

I’ve been “delaying” the manipulation. One day last August I woke up and could not move my left arm upward to scratch my back and then I lost more and more range of motion. Physical therapy is painful, but following the “torture” I feel as if I have a little more range. Of course, it dissipates quickly and it is back to square one. Finally, this week, I have regained some range of motion. I’m hoping and praying this is just going to continue and that I’m “unthawing”. I also have a degree of this in my right shoulder. Prior to the arm freezing, I did have a few symptoms: Both arms would seem to try to come out of socket. When my left arm (my worse shoulder) was out the car window to wave the wind seemed to knock my arm out socket and the pain was intense. A high-five on the right arm gave me the same sensation. Also, I had noticed when I extended my arm to it fullest, to reach high, etc., a sharp, shock-like pain would make me cry out in sudden pain.

By: Patty

Patty — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 15:06:04 +0000

I have had it in both shoulders at once. Started on the left and then a month later on the right. It has been a year. I had physical therapy, pool therapy, home exercises and cortizone shots. The best thing for me was a book on trigger points and a shepherd’s crook device. I am in the thawing stage now and the pain is up or down, but mostly down. This has really been miserable, but I feel like I am on the mend. Just keep moving and stretching as much as you can.

By: Renee

Renee — Fri, 16 Apr 2010 12:22:36 +0000

Cynthia, I am curious on how you are doing? I have the very same senerio and am trying the natural method but am beginning to think I will need the manipulation as I am going on 3 months and it is starting to freeze up even more.

By: Cynthia

Cynthia — Sat, 10 Oct 2009 01:33:48 +0000

I had full blown frozen shoulder in my left arm 4 years ago. I went through 4 mths. of physical therapy and then went in to hospital and had manipulation/authoscopic.
I still couldn’t sleep — inflammation and lots of chair exercises until one magic night…I slept for the first time in 9 months, a full 4.5 hrs. uninterrupted. I think you should be looking for REM sleep (3 hrs) and then the resolution phase begins. Healing.
I am now going through frozen shoulder in my right arm…it’s about 50% as painful and I’ve chosen to ride it out without forced PT but with natural movement, NSAIDS and heat/ice.
It will be interesting to compare the results of the most radical (manipulation) to the most conservative approach (gentle care). Will let you know. I think I have about 3 months left. I think the thaw is around the corner.

By: Rose Anne Donzelli

Rose Anne Donzelli — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 15:36:09 +0000

I have frozen shoulder(s) – one very bad. They are being treated with accupuncture and massage. After two months of treatment, I believe I am in the thawing stage. The pain is not as excruciating, but is constant, more like shooting pains down my arms. My question is: Is this pain indicative of the thawing stage of frozen shoulder? or should I be looking for something else.

Thanks.