Frozen Shoulder Treatments

Frozen shoulders tend to get better on their own over a period of 12 to 18 months. However, in the meantime, most people feel significant enough pain that treatment is necessary to help reduce the symptoms and retain as much range of motion in the shoulder as possible. In most cases, frozen shoulder treatment options include physical therapy, prescription pain relievers, and steroid injections.

A physical therapist can provide you with a frozen shoulder therapy routine that will help you exercise the shoulder. Exercises for a frozen shoulder are aimed at reducing pain and improving your range of motion. Some people have found that acupuncture for frozen shoulder can also effectively help reduce pain and even improve mobility. Steroid injections can likewise be used to limit pain and discomfort.

If your shoulder does not begin to improve on its own, you may need frozen shoulder surgery. A shoulder surgeon can usually perform the surgery arthroscopically. During your procedure, your surgeon will remove scar tissue and adhesions from around the shoulder joint through a series of small incisions.