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Frozen shoulder
Exercises for Periarthritis of the Shoulder
For the exercise methods of periarthritis of the shoulder, there are various exercise methods for patients with periarthritis of the shoulder in clinical practice. For instance, it is appropriate to gradually perform exercises such as pull-ups, but it is important to progress slowly and not be too vigorous at once, as this may cause potential damage to the shoulder joint capsule. Another exercise involves the "wall-crawling" movement to enhance the mobility of the shoulder joint and prevent stiffness. Additionally, for patients with severe pain from periarthritis of the shoulder, some medical treatments can be combined, such as using topical plasters that activate blood circulation and relieve stasis, oral non-steroidal anti-inflammatory and blood-activating drugs, as well as local treatments like heat application, small needle knife therapy, or injection therapy.
How to exercise for frozen shoulder
Periarthritis of the shoulder, commonly presents with shoulder pain, stiffness, or worsening of pain with movement. This condition is frequently seen in individuals around 50 years old, more often in women than men, and commonly among physical laborers. Without timely treatment, it can exacerbate the functional mobility of the shoulder joint, making everyday tasks like combing hair, dressing, washing the face, or placing hands on hips difficult. In severe cases, it could even affect elbow mobility. Early intervention typically involves exercise; despite discomfort, it is essential to persist and may require analgesics or drugs that promote blood circulation and stop bleeding. Exercises like "wall climbing," using horizontal bars, or stretching within doorframes aim to equalize the range of motion between the affected limb and a healthy shoulder joint. Both active and passive movements, such as swinging the arms forward and backward for 50 repetitions each morning, can provide relief. The process should be gradual and progressively intensified. If self-directed exercise proves ineffective, interventions like injections can be administered by a physician, which relieve pain by detaching the sticky interactions among ligaments, muscles, and tendons in the shoulder area, thereby easing the symptoms over time. Continuous pain may persist for a while; alternatively, brachial plexus or cervical plexus anesthesia followed by manual reduction can significantly reduce pain and gradually alleviate symptoms.
How to cure periarthritis of the shoulder using the arm-swinging method?
In the treatment of periarthritis of the shoulder, there is a method called "arm-swinging". The main technique of arm-swinging involves swinging the shoulder joint inward, outward, forward, and backward, forming a circle with the shoulder joint. This circle is actually two circles: one from the front to the back, and another from the back to the front. The arm-swinging method should be very effective for treating periarthritis of the shoulder, but the following issues need to be noted: First, it is crucial to exclude any rotator cuff injuries, especially tears in the supraspinatus or infraspinatus muscles. If tears in the supraspinatus or infraspinatus muscles occur, the arm-swinging method is not recommended due to its "zipper effect." This refers to a small initial tear that could further enlarge through improper exercise, eventually becoming a large tear. Thus, the first point is to rule out rotator cuff injuries. Second, when performing the arm-swinging method, one should not rush and should progress gradually. Initially, the range may be very small or the movement may not be possible to perform, but with consistent and persistent practice, the range of motion will gradually increase, making arm-swinging easier. However, rushing may lead to muscle tears around the shoulder joint or tear injuries to the joint capsule. Third, although the arm-swinging method can have a beneficial effect in treating periarthritis of the shoulder, starting the exercise can be very painful. Therefore, it may be necessary to use other methods initially, such as taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs orally, or undergoing massage or physiotherapy, to relax the muscles and ligaments around the shoulder joint. This can reduce pain during the arm-swinging exercises and enhance effectiveness.
Symptoms of Periarthritis of Shoulder
Periarthritis of the shoulder refers to the aseptic inflammation of the joint capsule, ligaments, and tendons around the shoulder joint due to chronic strain. This results in localized pain and restricted mobility. Additionally, the shoulder joint is affected during active actions such as lifting, abducting, and extending. During passive lifting activities, the pain may worsen. Also, pain is notably more severe at rest during the night. In the morning, there can be joint stiffness, which may ease after some movement, reducing both stiffness and pain.
Is periarthritis of the shoulder serious?
Periarthritis of the shoulder refers to the aseptic inflammatory reaction caused by chronic strain on the tendons, ligaments, and joint capsule around the shoulder joint, characterized by local pain, swelling, and even limited mobility. The typical symptom is resting pain, and pain occurs during both active and passive movements. If periarthritis of the shoulder occurs, it is advisable to visit the orthopedics department of a formal hospital for appropriate treatment. Besides resting, it is also suggested to engage in proper functional exercises and physiotherapy to prevent stiffness of the shoulder joint. Periarthritis of the shoulder can be very painful and significantly affects the movement of the entire shoulder joint. The symptoms are quite severe, but with systematic treatment, function generally can be restored.
How is periarthritis of the shoulder treated?
Periarthritis of the shoulder is mainly caused by degenerative changes in the soft tissues around the shoulder joint, chronic damage due to long-term overexertion, poor posture, and other factors, leading to symptoms such as shoulder pain and limited mobility. For the treatment of periarthritis of the shoulder, it is important to first rest and keep warm to prevent cold exposure. When symptoms of pain and limited mobility occur, symptomatic treatment with anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving medication, blood-activating and stasis-dissolving traditional Chinese medicine can be used to improve symptoms. Additionally, treatments such as hot compresses, physical therapy, massage, pain point blockades, and functional exercises for the shoulder joint can be employed. These methods play an active role in improving symptoms and delaying the progression of the disease. In cases where conservative treatment is ineffective or functional impairment occurs, surgical treatment can also be considered.
Symptoms of periarthritis of the shoulder
Periarthritis of the shoulder generally occurs in people over 40 years old, with the most common symptom being pain in the shoulder joint. Initially, there may be a soreness and pain in the shoulder, which is milder during the day and often worsens at night. The pain may intensify with changes in weather or after exposure to cold. In later stages, the pain may gradually spread around the entire shoulder joint and may involve the neck, scapular area, deltoid muscle, upper arm, or the lateral side of the forearm. Periarthritis not only causes shoulder pain, but also leads to restricted movement of the shoulder. This manifests as difficulties in simple actions that require raising the arms, such as combing hair, dressing, or scratching an itch. In advanced stages of periarthritis, there may also be muscle atrophy in the shoulder, particularly in the lateral deltoid muscle, which intensifies the movement disorders of the shoulder joint, resulting in difficulties in lifting the upper arm and extending it backward. Shoulder pain is not solely caused by periarthritis and should not be self-diagnosed. If shoulder pain occurs, it is advisable to seek medical treatment at a hospital.
Causes of Periarthritis of the Shoulder
Periarthritis of the shoulder is caused by chronic strain on the shoulder, leading to aseptic inflammation of the muscles, ligaments, and even the joint capsule surrounding the shoulder joint. Symptoms include localized pain and limited mobility, often seen in middle-aged and elderly women. Once periarthritis of the shoulder occurs, it is important to determine the cause. During treatment, it is important to rest and engage in appropriate functional exercises. Because if rest periods are overly prolonged during the treatment of periarthritis of the shoulder, it can lead to limited range of motion in the shoulder joint. Therefore, appropriate functional exercises should also be performed during the rest and physical therapy process.
How to massage for frozen shoulder
The disease known as periarthritis of the shoulder is also called frozen shoulder, adhesive capsulitis, or fifty-year-old shoulder, as it most commonly appears in middle-aged and elderly people around the age of 50. It is characterized by spasms, tension, and adhesion in the shoulder muscles, and sometimes may also involve dysfunction of the shoulder joint. Thus, for the treatment of periarthritis of the shoulder, massage techniques are generally employed. The purpose of the massage is primarily to relieve muscle tension, adhesions, and to relax the patient mentally. The technique must be gentle and not violent; local muscles can be massaged. On the affected side of the shoulder periarthritis, it can be found that the muscles are particularly tense. Massaging tender points gently can help relax these tense muscles, but one must ensure not to use rough techniques. Additionally, local acupoint massage of the shoulder can be performed, such as massaging common acupoints like Jianjing and Quyuan, which can also help alleviate pain. Simultaneously, combining these with physical therapy measures such as heat therapy, moxibustion, and acupuncture can yield better results.