Frozen Shoulder - Frozen - Accupuncture?

Posted , 5 users are following.

Hi there,

I've been in the freezing stage I'm guessing for a lot longer than I recognised. I'm female just turned 50 living in the west of Ireland. I first attended for massages for my normally very tight upper back and shoulders which has always been an ongoing problem but became particularly severe around Dec 2018/Jan 2019. Suddenly, in Feb 2019 I realised after going to an exercise class that I couldn't put my left hand up over my head or behind my back. At all. It is now fully frozen diagnosed by GP and 2 physios. I've been given exercises to do. Because of an inherited clotting disorder, it's very unlikely I'll get any surgery and probably also not any type of deep injection. If I do, it'll be at the blood clotting national centre in the capital, Dublin and it'll be complicated!!

So, I'm posting to see how accupuncture has/hasn't worked for you all who have not gone down the surgery/injection route for some other reason.

I'm currently basically not sleeping because of the clotting disorder (Haemophilia C Factor XI Deficiency and Platelet Dysfunction as well as mild Von Willebrands) I cannot take NSAIDS like nueurophen or any anti-inflammatories. So I'm taking Paracetemol with Codeine (Solpodol) on prescription but only at night because it's highly addiction and zonks one out but doesn't help with sleep. I also take a low dose of Amyltriptline for migraines so that helps but only a little for sleep.

How has accupuncture worked for you all?

I've seen info about low-inflammation diet and I'm also looking into this. I find after the physio (only attending about once every 3 weeks- she is very much 'leave it alone to heal itself' ) and after the exercises and stretches it's SUPER painful and the aching down the arm and into the elbow and hand is exruciating.

Even typing this has brought me to near tears. 😦

0 likes, 7 replies

7 Replies

  • Posted

    Hi Annie,

    I first got frozen should in May of 2017. I had not idea what it was and the pain was awful. I went to see my doctor and he gave me exercises to do. I went to see s naturopath who gave me acupuncture. I did not see much difference.

    I could not sleep at all. stayed up all night

    however I started taking CBD oil and the pain is gone

    • Posted

      HI, I have been dealing with a frozen shoulder since November last year. Sometimes I think it's improving, sometimes not. I started out doing physical therapy, massages, TENS therapy but now have just been doing some gentler exercises at home. Sleeping is the worst, sometimes i can sleep through most of the night but most nights, it's difficult. I have tried CBD oil recently but saw no results. Can you tell me what dosage you take? I started out taking 5 mg 4 times a day but stopped since I had no decrease in pain. Any advice on dosage would be appreciated so i can try it again.Thanks!

    • Posted

      Same like me!

      I wonder if CBD oil is something you rub in or drink?

      I'm glad it went away. I also haven't had any relief from physio. I booked in with a special massage place which is meant to work on the facia but it's expensive and 2,.5hrs away in each direction. Considering cancelling it now.

      Thanks for the post and I'll try CBD oil now!

    • Posted

      I take 1 ML drop under my tounge and let sit for a minute then swallow. I recommended taking it at bedtime. because you might get sleepy

  • Posted

    hi Annie, so sorry for what you are going through... I went through the same thing... Almost 2 years ago, out of the blue I had a frozen shoulder within the matter of a few days I couldn't hook my bra or brush my hair . I had tried everything including acupuncture . 4 months of physical therapy, two cortisone shots, various ointments and creams, massage therapy, TENS unit. I didn't feel like I was getting better and back I had more pain and less room. I finally just said to heck with it and did nothing and I gradually got better. It's about 20 months since it started and I hardly ever have pain anymore and my room his back to 80% of normal I would say. coincidentally, my dad was from the Aran Islands, specifically Inishmore and my nana's name was Annie!

    • Posted

      How funny, yes the Aran Islands are off the coast of County Galway and meant to be v nice. I haven't been becauese I get so sea sick and it's v rough waters on the ferry!

      Nothing seems to help but I'm going to try the antiinflammatory patches next even though I'm technically not supposed to, I'm willing to try anyhthing at all now!

      Thank for the advice!

  • Posted

    Hi Annie. I suffered from a frozen shoulder for over a year. it took doctors over 6 months to diagnose my frozen shoulder. I attended physical therapy to have zero success. About 7 months into the frozen shoulder I went to Orthopedic specialist where we tried a injection. That also did not work so finally I had to have my shoulder manipulated. Unfortunately, this does require going under due due the doctor actually moves the shoulder around and then I had 12 weeks of intense physical therapy. Finally, I had success. Now I dealing with the same shoulder and now it is the rotator cuff. Since I had the frozen shoulder for a little over a year the rotator cuff is struggling to work. it seems to be getting a little better. Time and patients seems to be helping. I do not wish this on anyone.

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