Frozen Shoulder Case Study
Frozen Shoulder is medically referred to as, Adhesive Capsulitis. It is a condition in which the shoulder capsule, the glenohumeral joint becomes inflamed. Movement of the shoulder is severely restricted. Pain is severe, worse at night, and pushed to extremes in cold weather. Certain movements can cause a sudden onset of tremendous muscle cramping and tension and stiff, greatly restricting motion and causing pain.
The cause of the condition is unknown and can last 9 months to 3 years. It’s most likely explanation is trauma, overuse, menopausal and/or autoimmune.
In this case we have a 47 year old active female. Former competitive swimmer from youth until present. No prior shoulder surgeries, injuries or pathologies. No history of autoimmune, cancer or hypertension. Patent presented with the condition Frozen Shoulder. Had 2 months of prior care with no progress and she “felt” it was getting worse.
Below is the program designed for this case was in 2 months:
10/15 – first appointment with Dr. Mike (had 2 previous appointments prior with associate – with no improvement) advised cortisone injection
10/19 – got cortisone shot
10/22 – next appt with Dr. Mike
12/19 – last appt with Dr. Mike ( in total had 19 appts with you)
In office treatment included 20 minutes of percussion therapy with Chuck Pechin’s PMR 1000 applied to the entire shoulder complex (rotator cuff, serratus anterior, rhomboids, upper/mid/lower traps, latissimus dorsi, levator scap, scalenes, biceps brachii, and pec major/minor). Followed by 10 minutes of myofascial release to same structures. After soft tissue, we used Pulse Electro-Magnetic Therapy to the shoulder complex for 12 visits. Patient saw extreme pain reduction and improved range of motion immediately.
Patient was out on a daily exercise and supplement regimen.
Daily exercise program (approx 40 minutes)
- Door stretch for 30 seconds (did at start and end of daily program)
- Moved arms like riding a bike – forward 50 times and back 50 times
- Bent over and held a water bottle for 30 seconds; moved to 3 pound weight and them 5 pound weight as improved
- Used pole to stretch arms up (10 times, holding for 5 seconds) and did the same thing behind back
- Side lateral arm roll forward and back for 25 times each
- Arm roll holding shoulder – rolling forward and back for 25 times each
- Sit on hand and stretch the next – 90 and 45 degrees for 30 seconds each
- Sleeper stretch – 90 and 45 degrees for 30 seconds each
- Bottle life for strength – laying on side lifted water bottle half way up and then did an inside lift – 15 reps, 3x each
- IYT’s – did 12 reps of each
- Face end of a wall and lean shoulder with arm down (awkward position), turn to stretch for 30 seconds, 3x
- Held and stretched arm behind back for 30 seconds, 3x
Daily supplement program (Before Dr. Mike)
- Centrum silver multivitamin (for women over 50 L)
- Fish oil (1200 mg 2 x daily)
- Calcium/Vit D (1000 mgs 2x a day)
What Dr. Mike added:
- Joint Health Complex (2x daily)
- Hyaluronic Acid (2x daily)
- B-12 1000 mcg (1x daily)
Other:
- 20 minutes in the Jacuzzi every other day, doing some stretches
For specific product brands contact Dr. Mike Flores, DC CCSP® Sports Physician and Chiropractor:
