Preventing Frozen Shoulder

It is always better to prevent frozen shoulder rather than try to fix it after it happens, however that is not always the situation. In any case, there are a number of things you can do to keep yourself healthy and prevent further damage.

Maintain a strong posture by standing tall; do not slouch as this puts stress on your shoulder joint, neck and upper back muscles. Also, avoid lifting objects that are too heavy for you.

To stabilize your shoulder and upper arm area, and increase your range of motion, maintain and build your strength, stability and flexibility of your shoulder, arm and back muscles. Light weights, exercise bands and sticks are very beneficial for strengthening your upper body. Yoga, tai chi, or a daily stretching routine will help to keep your muscles and joints supple.

If you don't use it you will lose it! A regular exercise and cross-training program that focuses on total body fitness and includes low-impact aerobic activity at least 3 days per week, such as walking, swimming, inline skating or biking, will help to keep you healthy overall and will strengthen your body to prevent against frozen shoulder or other shoulder injuries.

Weight loss and/or weight maintenance involves eating a balanced diet full of protein, complex carbohydrates, fats, vitamins, minerals, phytochemicals and antioxidants. This will help support a healthy system and will help you to maintain your weight. It is especially important if you have diabetes and need to keep control of your glucose levels. Limiting your caffeine, alcohol and nicotine consumption will also improve your health.

Choose appropriate equipment and supports for your body type and size:

Shoulder supports should be used as required during activities (bracing/strapping/taping the area for extra support); do not wear these when not participating in activities.

Mobility aids (long shoe horns, front fastening bras, and/or anything that helps to prevent you from over-reaching) help alleviate symptoms and improve functions.

Avoid doing too much too soon to give your body an opportunity to build up its endurance, and to protect your soft tissues from injury and overuse. This is especially important when participating in a new activity. Gradually increase your participation to prevent overstraining your shoulder muscles and joint. Always warm up your muscles (especially your shoulder, arm and back muscles) before working them to prepare your body and raise your body temperature. Recovery from your activity can be enhanced by doing a cool down to lower your body temperature and relax your muscles.

Always learn the proper form and techniques for your activity to help prevent injuries.

If you are suffering from shoulder pain and/or stiffness, listen to your body and decrease, modify and/or avoid any activities or motions that cause pain and irritation (repetitive lifting, pushing, pulling, throwing, and/or overhead movements). If you are required to perform these motions at work or play and cannot avoid them, make sure you take frequent breaks and rest to prevent fatigue and pain. It is important not to rush your recovery to prevent further damage.

Ultrasound therapy can be performed at home with a mendmeshop ultrasound device. If you have symptoms or are recovering from frozen shoulder, using ultrasound on a regular basis before your activity on your shoulder, upper arm and trapezius muscles will help relax the tissues and prepare your muscles for action, reduce scar tissue, and help diminish pain and inflammation after your activity.

If you suffer from mild inflammation or pain after certain activities or movements use ultrasound therapy when you complete the activity, then rest, apply a cold compression wrap, and elevate your shoulder. You can also use analgesic or anti-inflammatory medication for pain relief if required. If you have been given a frozen shoulder treatment plan by your health professional, make sure you adhere to it to ensure pain free living. In general, people who are committed to their therapies and exercises will have the best medical outcomes.

An Infrared Personal Therapy system is one of the most helpful tools for a frozen shoulder. Through the absorption of infrared thermal energy, tissues are safely and gently heated - increasing blood flow within the treated area. Your body's natural response to this increased temperature is to try to maintain a condition of homeostasis - a balanced environment or state of equilibrium throughout the body. To do this, your body responds with a rapid increase in blood flow to the area (this is known as vasodilation), increasing the supply of nutrients to injured cells and flushing out toxins (including lactic acid, commonly found in trigger points) to promote healing. Our Shoulder Inferno Wrap provides effective, non-invasive, non-addictive pain relief with no side effects.