Frozen Shoulder Causes And How To Treat It With Shoulder Support Brace

Frozen shoulder is a condition that causes the joints in your arm to lock up and lose range of motion. It's a miserable condition for anyone: cold weather combined with immobilization can worsen the pain. There are many possible reasons for one's shoulder to become 'frozen.

In this article, we'll discuss some common causes and treatments with shoulder support brace for frozen shoulders, so you can take control of your frozen shoulder.

Strained Shoulder Muscles

Although the exact nature of your frozen shoulder will vary (we'll discuss possible reasons below), the most common cause is strained shoulder muscles. The muscles can become strained as a result of repetitive use of the affected arm, or else they may simply be overworked. As you might be able to guess, any kind of sport that requires frequent overhead movements or throwing (such as baseball, softball, tennis, and golf) can eventually strain these muscles to the point that they lock up. If you've ever experienced a strained muscle, you know how painful it can get.

Poor Posture

Our bodies aren't designed to be slouched over a computer all day. If you spend 8-12 hours a day working at a computer, the strain can build up in your neck and shoulders, which may cause them to freeze up. Poor posture has also been linked to more serious health problems such as heart disease and diabetes. As lousy as they are, frozen shoulders are nothing compared to those two! Fixing your posture may help your frozen shoulder—try using a lumbar support when seated at your desk.

Inflammation

Inflammation can come in many forms, and it can be difficult to pinpoint the cause of your inflammation. The good news is that there are multiple treatments (we'll discuss them below) and you shouldn't need to be suffering needlessly. Start by seeing your doctor, who can run a series of tests to pinpoint the cause of your shoulder inflammation. (If you've got an existing condition such as a hernia or tendonitis, the inflammation could be related to that problem.)

Systematic Diseases

In this category, you'll find conditions such as diabetes, autoimmune diseases, and cancer. Any of those may cause your shoulder muscles to freeze and lock up, or else they may be an underlying cause of the condition. Keep in mind that this is just a list of conditions that have been linked to frozen shoulder—some people with a history of a systemic illness will never be affected by it. These conditions can cause your shoulder to lock up, but many of them are extremely rare and they have to wear the shoulder support brace. Read up on these conditions if you think your frozen shoulder is related to one of them, but don't dismiss the possibility that it's not just one of these common diseases.

Injury

If your frozen shoulder is caused by an injury, you're probably going to need to see a doctor. While frozen shoulders can be an extremely painful condition, sometimes the only way to get rid of the pain is with an injection or other type of treatment. Arm pain can also occur after major surgeries like shoulder surgery or open heart surgery. If this arm pain persists for months or years after the surgery, you should consider it a possibility that the shoulder was injured in the course of treatment.

Infection

Some people who have a frozen shoulder do so because they have an infection in the shoulder. The infection can either be bed sores, or it can be due to an abscess that just won't heal. If you think you might have an infected shoulder, a doctor will probably want to run some tests and then send you to the emergency room for further evaluation.

Age and sex

The condition tends to get more common as you age. Women have a higher chance of having frozen shoulders than men do. Also, it's more common in elderly people. As such, some people think that our society is simply getting older, and hence, more and more people are developing frozen shoulders and each of them is put on a shoulder support brace. While this isn't totally accurate, there are a few other possible explanations.

Treatment for a Frozen Shoulder

A lot of people with frozen shoulders are surprised to learn that most cases are self-limiting, meaning they're going to go away by themselves. The following treatments are mostly a waste of your time:

Heat and Cold Therapy

Some people swear by heat therapy, such as sitting in a sauna for 15 minutes or cranking up the heat on their dryer. While this might help your shoulder some, it probably won't be enough to get rid of your frozen shoulder. In fact, doing this for too long can actually make the condition worse. Once you decide that the heat isn't helping you, don't try it anymore!

Surgery

If you can afford it, surgery is one of the most reliable ways to get rid of your frozen shoulder. Specifically, the surgery that involves cutting away some of the tendons around your shoulders can be highly effective in restoring range of motion and reducing pain.

shoulder support brace

A lot of people with frozen shoulders get frustrated because they feel that other people are looking down on them and making fun of them. If you're having trouble lifting your arm, put your shoulder in an elevated position when you're sitting at a desk or driving. If possible, try to avoid keeping your shoulders up to your ears all day and put on a brace, as this can lead to pain and eventually frozen shoulders.

Joint distension

This is one of the most effective ways to treat frozen shoulders. Joint distension basically involves injecting sterile water into the shoulder joint to make it flexible and then working to restore the range of motion. This can include things like ultrasound treatment or cupping therapy. You may need to visit a few different practitioners for this treatment, but you're much more likely to get long-term relief from it than a single visit to someone with a lot of experience in this field.

Conclusion

Each source agrees that frozen shoulders are painful and frustrating, but don't have to be permanent. If you're experiencing any of the symptoms of a frozen shoulder, you should visit your doctor for possible diagnosis and treatment. If you're experiencing these symptoms, don't give up hope! Keep a positive outlook and work with your doctor to make sure that you get the care that you need. A shoulder support brace may help reduce pain and discomfort, so consider purchasing one!