Today’s article is a continuation of last week’s post regarding my friend’s bout with a frozen (right) shoulder. He went through (i.e., endured) his 1st physical therapy (PT) session last week and will be continuing PT for a two-month period. It was quite a painful experience he chirped and told me that the physical therapist put him through a series of ordeals (aka exercises) to treat his frozen shoulder. The therapist’s instructions were to continue the exercises at home, and I did get a copy of the exercises. I will showcase two of the three exercises, as displayed in a YouTube video from the popular duo Bob and Brad, the funny and very professional and self-proclaimed “Most Famous Physical Therapists on the Internet”. Please smash the Thumbs-Up button on their video, and I think it will be worth your while to hit the Subscribe button so that you can be alerted when they post new videos.
The video contained a ton of helpful tips and exercises on treating a frozen shoulder, and even showed us how to distinguish between a rotator cuff injury and a frozen shoulder. Bob and Brad discussed the 3 phases that a person goes through with a frozen shoulder and mentioned that it is an agreed upon concept within the ranks of the PT world. The 3 phases are the freezing, frozen and thawing stages. As mentioned on last week’s article and on this video, it appears that if an individual with a frozen shoulder does not do anything, it heals by itself, and it may take up to 2 to 3 years or so. However, with the proper exercises to treat your frozen shoulder, it may take a few months to get your shoulder unfrozen.
Bob and Brad discuss various exercises that can be performed to treat a frozen shoulder, and how they can be incorporated at all 3 stages. My friend’s frozen shoulder stage is the 1st stage, freezing, and he went through 3 exercises during his PT session, in which two of them were showcased on the video: Flexion and Stretching Behind. I like how Brad showed how to use a belt to perform the Stretching Behind exercise if you do not have a pulley type contraption to use. Each of the exercises were performed for 60 seconds, like the video, and my friend’s PT instructed him to perform the 3 sets of exercises 5 times a day at home. Bob and Brad mentioned as you progress through the various stages of a frozen shoulder, the exercises change. Focus is on range of motions for stage #2 and finally, focus is on strengthening the shoulder in stage #3 as you experience less pain in your shoulder and you are getting your full range of motion back.
The PT journey for my friend is just beginning, however, I feel if he sticks with it, he should be able to get back his right shoulder in prime condition again in a few months from now. I hope you found value in the information presented in the video by Bob and Brad. I like what was covered in the video, however, I would like to qualify Bob’s statement regarding the use of NSAIDs. This is not medical or professional advice, just my opinion. For acute pain and inflammation, a few days of taking NSAIDs may be okay. However, prolonged use may not be the best option as it is known to do a job on your stomach lining, as it will aggravate those suffering from ulcers and may even promote ulcers. That said, why not try natural supplements that fight inflammation, such as the new product from The FEELGOOD lab titled “INFLAMMATION SUPPORT”. You should check them out on the Pain Relief Products page. I like their customer support service, and so far, their products have not disappointed. I have not tried their new line of “Clinical Grade Supplements” yet, which includes “INFLAMMATION SUPPORT”, however, I have no question that their products are top quality. And before I close for today, my friend (who has the frozen shoulder) mentioned that his affected shoulder responded more favorably to the “SPORT RECOVERY LOTION” from The FEELGOOD lab as compared to their “NATURAL PAIN CREAM”. I may purchase their new line of supplements, and if I do, I will make sure to hand one off to my friend and get his comments regarding its results.
To Your Success & Freedom,
Glenn Shimabukuro
