when you say "frozen shoulder" there are a few different things that can be wrong... do you have scar tissue built up in the surgical site? or do you have adhesions in the joint capsule area? I have seen shoulders that have been "frozen" or adhesed for 10-15 years .. back to full ROM in about 30 minutes with different forms of orthopedic massage.. where are you located? I may be able to find you a therapist that could help you.

Hi there,
I am really interested in frozen shoulder able to get back almost full AROM after some sort of 30mins orthopaedic massage. Would like to know more about this. I deal with alot of frozen shoulder cases which took some time to get back full or almost full AROM. Thanks

Hi,
As a doc and a sufferer for the past 2 years of a frozen shoulder, I offer you my sincere condolences!!

I did mine lifting a single scull above my head onto the roof rack of a van....very foolish at my ripe old age!

And as the unmistakable symptoms and signs developed I resigned myself to at least an inevitable 2 yeats of being unable to take part in Masters hammer, discus, javelin and shotput competitions.

I could however luckily still row with restricted movement of the shoulder, and could still run.

Regardless of any treatment the natural course of Frozen Shoulder is to get worse for 6 months, stay the same for 1 year and then gradually resolve over the next 6 months...naturally the improvement is often attributed to what ever treatment is being given during the final phase.

So this Ole Gran stopped worrying, took anti inflammatories and paracetamol for pain at night, and did her best to be patient.

2 years later she is painfree and full movement is nearly fully returned and she is having to re-learn to use her shoulders properly again when rowing...throwing will be left until next season.

Best of luck...may you have endless patience, find alternative sports for the next few years, and not waste too much time and effort in useless treatments, and above all have faith that one day your shoulder will definitely improve!

I also am having upper-arm problems, I don't know if it is "Frozen Shoulder" or not. What I have is damned paiful, with restricted movement. As an archer/coach I need to know more on this subject, both for myself, & other archers who come to me.
As to the question on the "Bowen therapy", I have had this treatment for a 35yr+ back problem, & it worked for me, having spent a fortune on all sorts of treatments, with no lasting effects, I was glad to discover this treatment. It did not work straight away, I had to have several sessions. (Some people just need one session) If you have not tried this treatment, go for it, you have nothing to lose, & everything to gain. "Bowen" encourages the body to "Self heal" & is none invasive. But I have to say,"IT DOES NOT WORK FOR EVERYONE" I was quoting my practitioner there. Getting back to my shoulde/arm problem, "Bowen" has not worked on me (Yet) but I will wait & see what happens

A frozen shoulder is an inflammation of the capsule, or "capsulitis" of the whole shoulder joint, so that it becomes restricted in all movements...compared with a tendonitis of a shoulder muscle for example.

As a GP I use the simple test of putting the hand behind the back above the waist, and if this movement is restricted as well as others, frozen shoulder is a likely diagnosis. At first the range of movement is restricted mainly by pain but eventually there is less or no pain but the joint is well and truly gummed up!

The nice thing about a frozen shoulder is that eventually it will get better all on its own, whereas tendinitis and other problems can seem to go on for ever!

I wander what I have then? My Dr. tells me that there is some stress in my shoulder (as if something is trapped), but there is no pain in my shoulder, it is all in the upper arm. I am able to lift my arn to about elbow hight, then the pain cuts in. to give you an idea, putting a shirt on, getting the arm to the sleve, NOT NICE!!! I have to twist my body to get a comfortable position in order to dress. T-shirts/sweaters no great problem, both arms in first, then pull over my head with my Left hand.
Thank you for the information.
C.

I'll consult hubby Roger who is a retired orthopaedic surgeon....he will probably say he needs to examine you! Did your archery start the problem?

In a word, No. it is something that has been slow to develop over the past 6-9 months. I first noticed it one day when I put my arm to rest on the drivers window at a trafic hold-up. Ever since then, it has come & gone, but of late, it has become very uncomfortable. I have shot very few arrows over the summer-time & later, due to the fact I am coaching classes, or I'm doing "Have-a-Go" archery. I have all the movement I need in the shoulder joint, with no discomfort whatever, it seems to be in the area where the Tricep/Bicep cross over.

Frozen shoulder vs. impingement syndrome seems to be your best bet on diagnosis. If you have full ROM at the shoulder joint itself, frozen shoulder is unlikely. Regardless, the key is to get into an orthopedic therapist to address RC and scapular strength/biomechanics, as well as, joint mobility. Without proper rehab, steroid shots and ice won't address the "why" of your problem which is most likely some joint/muscle stiffness and/or weakness. As for you pain in your upper arm, classic rotator cuff involvement refers pain into the outside of the upper arm. Good luck.

Agree with therapeutic massage. HIGHLY recommend an Active release therapist or trigger point therapist. I had total relief in 1 session. Pain was so debilitating I wanted to kill something!! Gone now and has not returned.
Do a little research on above treatments to understand how they work.
FireGuy

Things are paying off. This is the 4th session I have had, & each one has been a very deep session, I can now raise the arm with no difficulty,there is a slight pull but I can live with that. But I do not intend to, I have been given some exersises to rebuild the strength in my right arm.
It appears that my problem is that I have been over-strong, & that is my weekness.

I am pleased to say, That I am now almost back to normal. I shot 5 1/2 dozen arrows against my wife in a competition so she could put in a "leagal" score last week. There was the slightest pull in my arm, but no dicomfort to speak of, just tired. I used one of my trainers bows with no sight, so as not to dwell on aiming. Light exercises 2-3 times a day seems to be doing the trick
I am going back for more treatment this Monday, & I have been told that it should be my last session. Here's hoping :D