Help: Frozen shoulder physical therapy

[Anonymous]

I’m not the person quoted, but for my frozen shoulder, the cortisone shot worked immediately—it felt like magic. I went from not being able to unhook my bra, and not being able to sleep on it, to no more pain at all. (I had done maybe 6 months of PT before that.) I had the second to restore the last 20% range of motion, and that was immediate too. It was like unlocking a door.

My husband currently has something similar and also had two shots after many months of no improvement. But his hasn’t shoulder really improved, and the little improvement he’s seen was very gradual. I don’t know if we both had injuries, and they are different injuries, or what. Mine started when I was swimming a lot, and his came on after a long drive. I was dx’d with frozen shoulder, but the doctors have not called his frozen shoulder.

[Anonymous]

I spent a ton of time and money on PT with my first frozen shoulder. The only thing that touched it was some dry needling that the second therapist did. After that, two sessions of acupuncture initiated the thaw and I was golden. When my second shoulder started freezing, I went straight to acupuncture. Thaw was triggered and I didn't lose nearly as much range of motion.

I tried a lot for pain relief. The supplement MSM worked when NSAIDs didn't. Especially at night.

Yes, I know all of this sounds pretty woo. I had never been to an acupuncturist before this. i now go regularly, I was so impressed. YMMV

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Go see an ortho for a cortisone shot and then ask for a recommendation for PTs that have been successful with frozen shoulder resolution. Cortisone is great for pain and increased movement - while it lasts, so you want to get into therapy asap after the injection.

+1 I had this a couple years ago and wasn't making any progress in PT until I got the cortisone shot. PT and consistent work at home improved it a lot after that

[Anonymous]

There is no point in doing PT. I did it for my first frozen shoulder 5 years ago but stopped when it wasn’t helping and the therapist told me that outcomes were the same regardless of PT. Also had useless but painful cortisone shot. Now my other shoulder is freezing. I’m just letting it run its course.

[Anonymous]

You’re not bad for waiting unlike what the other poster said.

There are three stages of a frozen shoulder:

Freezing
Frozen
Thawing

During the freezing stage, PT is not going to help.

Once it’s starting to thaw, PT will help you regain mobility.

I went to Novacare twice for frozen shoulder once in my right and once in my left. See if they have a branch near you. I’ve used three different offices and found good PTs at all of them.

I hope you feel better soon!

At Hopkins, a prednisone shot was not offered to me. Seems wise to ask a doctor about it at least.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I spent a ton of time and money on PT with my first frozen shoulder. The only thing that touched it was some dry needling that the second therapist did. After that, two sessions of acupuncture initiated the thaw and I was golden. When my second shoulder started freezing, I went straight to acupuncture. Thaw was triggered and I didn't lose nearly as much range of motion.

I tried a lot for pain relief. The supplement MSM worked when NSAIDs didn't. Especially at night.

Yes, I know all of this sounds pretty woo. I had never been to an acupuncturist before this. i now go regularly, I was so impressed. YMMV

How much MSM did you take? And who is Thi’s acupuncturist? Great news!

[Anonymous]

Why do all these people assume it is “frozen shoulder”? It could be lots of different shoulder / nerve things.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why do all these people assume it is “frozen shoulder”? It could be lots of different shoulder / nerve things.

Op said it was frozen shoulder.

[Anonymous]

I had frozen shoulder and the orthopedist gave me two cortisone shots at the same time in 2 different places in my shoulder. It worked almost immediately and has continued to help a month later. Only thing I cannot do is the sleep on that side.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Np, and I am sending huge hugs your way! I developed frozen shoulder in the fall of 2019, and it was the worst pain ever, particularly at night. I tried everything from PT, cortisone injections, acupuncture, and even adhesive capsulitis surgery, and none of it worked. Time was the only thing that healed it; by time, I mean 2.5 years of waiting.

I would caution you from trying too many things, even though it's tempting. I am convinced the PT aggravated it more and delayed healing. I had the surgery in 2020, and it loosened it some, but I did not have full mobility until early 2022.

If you are on FB, there are groups you can join. In hindsight, the support from the groups was more useful than anything else.

NP. I had chronic tendinosis in my rotator cuff since 2020, which has now developed into frozen shoulder over the last seven months. I've done PT, hydrodissection, cortisone, dry needling. My doctor says next up is surgery, and my instinct is that won't work either.

For the PP, did you do anything to keep your muscles from atrophying in this period? My shoulder is still pretty painful.

[Anonymous]

Find a good Rolfer! Mine cured me in a session. Rolfing is about deep massage therapy and good for chronic issues. Google Rolfing and you may find a provider close to you to see.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

How much MSM did you take? And who is Thi’s acupuncturist? Great news!

I can't remember the dosing, whatever was on the supplement bottle at a guess. It did increase my migraines with extended use, so had to eventually quit it.

I was living out of state for the acupuncture. For the second shoulder, my first practitioner was booked solid, so went with someone new, with even quicker success. Two different schools of training even. One used electrostim in the arm pit area, which was pretty hard to access at full freeze. The other had me sit upright and try to raise my arm while she poked needles into the opposite ankle. I left with 50% more range of motion that day which was shocking. If it's a placebo effect, I'll take it. Call around and ask questions. Good luck! I don't think there are as many practitioners here as out west where I was living.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I spent a ton of time and money on PT with my first frozen shoulder. The only thing that touched it was some dry needling that the second therapist did. After that, two sessions of acupuncture initiated the thaw and I was golden. When my second shoulder started freezing, I went straight to acupuncture. Thaw was triggered and I didn't lose nearly as much range of motion.

I tried a lot for pain relief. The supplement MSM worked when NSAIDs didn't. Especially at night.

Yes, I know all of this sounds pretty woo. I had never been to an acupuncturist before this. i now go regularly, I was so impressed. YMMV

Thanks for the info. Who is your acupuncturist ?