Frozen Shoulder
Our innovative treatment of focused Shockwave and Extracorporeal Magneto Transduction Therapy (EMTT) has helped people with Frozen Shoulder, also known as adhesive capsulitis, to conquer their issues, enabling them to achieve a pain-free existence and, for athletes, a successful return to their sport without any difficulty.
Frozen shoulder is a common condition that causes stiffness and pain in the shoulder joint, it typically develops gradually and can be very limiting, making it difficult to perform even simple tasks like reaching for objects or getting dressed or driving.
While frozen shoulder can be a frustrating and painful condition, there are several ways to manage the symptoms and improve range of motion. We manage Frozen Shoulder with Shockwave Therapy and EMTT but also include Physical therapy which can include stretching exercises, gentle range of motion exercises, and strength training exercises.
Applying heat or cold to the affected area can also help to manage the symptoms of frozen shoulder. Heat therapy can help to relax the muscles and improve blood flow, while cold therapy can help to reduce inflammation and pain.
Together these techniques can help to improve blood flow and increase range of motion in the affected area and should be applied before looking at surgery as a solution.
Discomfort is typically persistent and exacerbated at night, impeding comfortable sleep, and during colder weather in the winter. In some instances, individuals may experience complete immobility in the shoulder. The specific underlying cause of frozen shoulder is uncertain, and the duration can range from five months to three or more years. While injury or trauma to the area may contribute to the condition in some cases, it is frequently observed in women between the ages of 40 and 60.
Frozen shoulder typically develops gradually and progresses through two stages over a period of several months to a year or more. The three stages of frozen shoulder are:
- Freezing stage: In the freezing stage, patients experience a gradual onset of pain and stiffness in the shoulder joint. The pain may be worse at night and may be accompanied by a feeling of tightness in the shoulder. Over time, the shoulder becomes increasingly stiff, making it difficult to perform normal activities like reaching overhead or behind the back. This stage typically lasts 2-9 months.
- Frozen stage: In the frozen stage, the shoulder becomes even stiffer and more painful, with limited range of motion. The pain may decrease, but the stiffness may persist, making it difficult to perform even basic activities. This stage typically lasts 4-12 months.
It’s important to note that not all patients will experience all stages of frozen shoulder, and the duration of each stage can vary depending on the individual. Additionally, some patients may experience a more rapid onset and resolution of symptoms, while others may experience a more prolonged course.
Our Shockwave Treatments
Achilles Tendonitis
Back Pain
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Dupuytren’s Disease
Golfer’s Elbow
Gout
Hip Pain
Knee Calcification
Medial Tibial Stress Syndrome
Morton’s Neuroma
Osgood-Schlatter Disease
Patellar Tendinitis – Jumpers Knee
Pseudarthrosis
Scar Tissue Treatment
Shoulder Calcification
Shoulder Tendinitis & Bursitis
Stress Fractures
Tennis Elbow – Lateral Epicondylitis
Therapy for Diabetics with Frozen Shoulder
Trigger Finger
Shockwave Therapy & Frozen Shoulder
The aim of shockwave therapy for frozen shoulder is to aid and accelerate the recovery process. We recommended you seek a consultation as early as possible, preferably during the first stage of frozen shoulder, but shockwave therapy can also be administered during the second stage.
Shockwave therapy is a non-invasive treatment that uses high-energy sound waves to stimulate healing in the affected area. The treatment works by increasing blood flow, reducing inflammation, and promoting tissue repair, which can help to reduce pain and improve range of motion.
Shockwave Therapy & Frozen Shoulder Research
In a 2017 study published in the Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery, researchers found that shockwave therapy was an effective treatment for frozen shoulder. The study involved 60 patients with frozen shoulder who were randomly assigned to receive either shockwave therapy or a placebo treatment. After 12 weeks of treatment, the patients who received shockwave therapy had a significant reduction in pain and an improvement in range of motion compared to those who received the placebo treatment.
Another study, published in the Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery and Research in 2013, found that shockwave therapy was more effective than ultrasound therapy in reducing pain and improving function in patients with frozen shoulder. The study involved 56 patients with frozen shoulder who were randomly assigned to receive either shockwave therapy or ultrasound therapy. After four weeks of treatment, the patients who received shockwave therapy had a significant reduction in pain and improvement in function compared to those who received ultrasound therapy.
These studies are in line with our own experience of successfully treating patients with frozen shoulder.
Shockwave Therapy for Diabetics with Frozen Shoulder
People who are diabetics are at an increased risk of developing frozen shoulder. The exact reasons for this are not fully understood, but it’s thought that high blood sugar levels may contribute to inflammation and scarring in the shoulder joint. Additionally, diabetes can also cause nerve damage, which can affect the shoulder joint.
Shockwave Therapy for People with Rotator Cuff Lesions & Frozen Shoulde
Rotator cuff lesions, or tears in the tendons that attach the shoulder muscles to the bone, are also associated with an increased risk of developing frozen shoulder. This may be due to the fact that rotator cuff tears can cause inflammation and damage to the surrounding tissues, which can lead to the development of frozen shoulder.
Shockwave Therapy for People with Thyroid Disorders & Frozen Shoulder
Some studies have suggested that thyroid disorders may be associated with an increased risk of developing frozen shoulder. The exact reasons for this are not fully understood, but it’s thought that thyroid hormone imbalances may contribute to inflammation and damage in the shoulder joint.
We administer EMTT through a handheld device that is placed over the affected area. The treatment is painless and non-invasive, and typically takes just a few minutes to complete. Patients may receive several EMTT sessions over the course of a few weeks, depending on the severity of their symptoms and the extent of their injury.
We are one of the few clinics in the country offering this as a solution to this painful condition and we recommend you book an appointment soon.
EMTT Therapy for Frozen Shoulder
We are now using ElectroMagnetic Transduction Therapy (EMTT) in conjunction with Shockwave therapy as we have found the combination of the two treatments especially effective for dealing with Frozen Shoulder.
EMTT is a non-invasive treatment that uses electromagnetic waves to stimulate healing in the affected area. The treatment works by producing a pulsed electromagnetic field that penetrates the tissues of the shoulder joint and stimulates cellular activity. This increased cellular activity can help to reduce inflammation, increase blood flow, and promote tissue repair, all of which can improve the symptoms of frozen shoulder.
Research has shown that EMTT can be an effective treatment for frozen shoulder. In a study published in the Journal of Clinical Medicine Research, researchers found that patients who received EMTT experienced a significant reduction in pain and an improvement in range of motion compared to those who received a placebo treatment. Another study found that EMTT was more effective than physical therapy in reducing pain and improving function in patients with frozen shoulder.
One of the major advantages of EMTT is that it is a non-invasive treatment that does not require any medication or surgery. This makes it a safe and convenient treatment option for patients who are looking for a non-invasive alternative to more invasive treatments.
ABOUT SHOCKWAVE CLINICS
Shockwave Clinics Ltd is the leading shockwave clinic in London and the UK with the most advanced and comprehensive range of shockwave and complimentary technologies, including magneto transduction therapy and radio frequency.
For over 10-years we have been using Focused Shockwave to treat numerous muscular problems caused by sports injuries as well as back pain, problems caused by invasive surgery and simple old age.