Want to treat frozen shoulder? 6 practical tips

Frozen shoulders are very troublesome and can get in the way of daily life. For some people, it comes on suddenly, whilst for others there may be a clear cause. Fortunately, there are things you can do to treat a frozen shoulder. Are you curious to find out what they are? Then read on.

What is a frozen shoulder?

A frozen shoulder is a condition characterised by a stiff shoulder. The shoulder joint may feel painful and stiff. This is because the capsule surrounding the shoulder joint becomes thicker and tighter. As a result, moving the shoulder can be painful and difficult.

How does a frozen shoulder develop?

Frozen shoulders can develop in various ways. Usually, the first symptoms are nagging arm and shoulder pain and a feeling of stiffness. The condition can be caused by inflammation in the shoulder capsule. The capsule contracts, causing it to thicken and stiffen, which makes movement more difficult and causes pain. Here are a number of other factors that can cause frozen shoulders:

  • An injury or operation that prevented the shoulder from moving properly
  • Overuse or inflammation causing irritation
  • Certain medical conditions, such as diabetes or thyroid problems

However, a frozen shoulder can also develop spontaneously. There isn’t always a clear cause. Sometimes people experience stiff shoulders after sleeping, which don’t go away easily.

frozen shoulders

Source: Pexels

How do you treat a frozen shoulder?

1. Keep moving

Try to move your shoulder as far as you can. Keeping it still can quickly make the condition worse. Try small, gentle movements that do not cause much pain, such as stretching your arms.

2. Use heat

Heat can help to relax the muscles around the shoulder. This can (temporarily) reduce stiffness. You should therefore use a hot water bottle, a heat pack, or take a warm bath or shower.

3. Move differently to usual

It may help to temporarily adjust your movements. For example, avoid heavy or rapid movements above your head that require you to lift your arms quickly. If you need to lift something, lift with both arms at the same time so that you do not put too much strain on your stiff shoulder.

4. See a physiotherapist

A physiotherapist can draw up a treatment plan involving specialised frozen shoulder exercises. With the right guidance, you can do exercises that will gradually improve your flexibility.

5. Do relaxation exercises

Stress can make pain and stiffness worse. So make sure you avoid stress as much as possible. Where necessary, do breathing exercises or meditation to help you relax.

6. Use red light therapy

Red light therapy can stimulate blood flow, relieve pain and support the recovery process. It also helps reduce stiffness. You can easily do this yourself at home, for example with the PowerCure laser.

voordelen rood licht therapie lamp schijnt op muur

Does red light therapy help with frozen shoulders?

Yes, red light therapy can certainly help with frozen shoulder. It can also be used as a complementary treatment alongside other therapies such as physiotherapy. Here’s how red light therapy can help:

  • Improved blood flow: red light stimulates blood circulation, allowing nutrients and oxygen to be delivered more effectively and waste products to be removed
  • Pain relief and reduced stiffness
  • Anti-inflammatory effect: the red light can help to reduce or even prevent inflammation in the shoulder joint capsule
  • Support for recovery: thanks to pain relief and increased flexibility, you can also get on with your exercises more effectively, enabling you to move normally again more quickly

You can simply carry out red light therapy yourself, from the comfort of your own home. This means you don’t have to set aside any extra time whilst you’re focusing on a proper recovery.

PowerCure red light therapy for frozen shoulders

The PowerCure is a red light therapy device that you can use yourself to treat your shoulder. It is specially designed for localised use, allowing you to carry out targeted treatment yourself. Furthermore, it helps not only with frozen shoulder, but also with other complaints and conditions. It is suitable not only for people, but also for animals.

Shop the PowerCure laser