subject: Frozen Shoulder Massage Therapy From A Licensed Massage Therapist (lmt) [print this page] One of the most painful and crippling conditions you can ever experience is a frozen shoulder. The pain it gives is agonizing and can render you unproductive for as long as several months. You will be unable to accomplish even the simple day to day tasks in your lifes routine. Frozen shoulder can be prevented, though, and even if it has already begun to set in, it can still be treated. Deep tissue massage therapy and sports massage therapy by a licensed massage therapist (LMT) are two of the best possible massage therapy modalities you can use to prevent or alleviate the pain of a frozen shoulder. A licensed massage therapist who also offers reflexology massage therapy, shiatsu massage therapy, acupressure massage therapy, craniosacral massage therapy and pregnancy massage therapy can give you these treatments.
You have to make sure that you go to an authentic licensed massage therapist who has been professionally trained and is fully qualified for such critical treatment, though. You should also make sure that your massage therapy is being done in consultation with your doctor.
The medical term for frozen shoulder is adhesive capsulitis. It is the inflammation of the shoulder capsule. This is made up of the connective tissues surrounding the joint of the shoulder. Because of the inflammation, adhesions are formed, resulting in abnormally fused bands of tissue. This brings chronic pain. Movement of the shoulder is drastically reduced.
Frozen shoulder has three stages. Stage one is the freezing stage when the pain sets in slowly for six weeks to nine months. Stage two is the frozen or adhesive stage when the shoulder stays stiff for four months to nine months. Stage three is the thawing or recovery stage when the shoulder very slowly returns to normal in five months to as long as three years or more.
A person with a frozen shoulder feels pain with every movement he or she makes, and even at rest. The pain is a constant dull ache that may suddenly flare in spasms or can intensify according to particular motions or postures. The pain also gets worse at night and when the temperature grows colder. Satellite pain may also be felt in surrounding tissues, in the neck and in the back. The patient can not sleep well and, therefore, experiences chronic fatigue and depression. This weakens the immune system and other complications set in.
When a frozen shoulder sets in without cause, it is called idiopathic frozen shoulder. Another factor that can cause frozen shoulder is immobility for an extended period. This could be due to injury, physical trauma or even a previous surgery. Still another possible factor that may cause frozen shoulder is an autoimmune disorder that attacks the shoulder tissues and creates adhesions. People at high risk for frozen shoulder include those suffering from connective tissue disorders, rheumatic disease, rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, lung disease, heart disease and stroke.
To prevent frozen shoulder, you should never let your shoulder stay immobile for extended periods for whatever reason, even when injured or after surgery. You should encourage full range of motion in all directions. If this is difficult to do, physical therapy and massage therapy can help.
Whether you already have frozen shoulder or if you want to prevent it from ever plaguing you, you should ask for regular long term deep tissue massage therapy or sports massage therapy from a licensed massage therapist (LMT). Find yourself a reputable and experienced licensed massage therapist who not only offers deep tissue massage therapy and sports massage therapy but a wide range of services such as reflexology massage therapy, shiatsu massage therapy, acupressure massage therapy, craniosacral massage therapy and pregnancy massage therapy and who also treats and does insurance billing for people in auto accidents.
