Have you ever considered massage as a frozen shoulder treatment? If not, then you are missing a very effective part of relieving shoulder pain and gaining functional range of motion. The simple art of human touch can do wonders for pain relief, but if combined with the knowledge of where and how to touch or massage, the results can be amazing. You do not even have to be a massage therapist or an anatomy major to give a massage to someone with a frozen shoulder, but a few pointers will help make it an effective treatment.
To start with, whenever possible use heat, preferably moist heat prior to beginning the massage session. This open capillaries and allows blood to soften the tissues of the shoulder complex. Moist heat can be in the form of a warm shower, a bath, or simply applying a heating pad or heated rice sock over a damp bath towel. Apply the heat for about 15-20 minutes. If you are diabetic then take extra precautions to avoid burns if using a heating pad as the skin might not have normal sensation.
Next, begin the treatment with the person sitting upright and using light crossing strokes, called effleurage, across the top, front, and back of the shoulder girdle. No pressure should be applied during this part of the session. Then start adding pressure to the fleshy parts of the shoulder such as the trapezius (the "shrugging" muscle), the lateral deltoid (side of the shoulder), and the rhomboid (muscle between the spine and shoulder blade). This should go on for about 3-5 minutes.
After that, begin skin rolling across the back, side and trapezius. This is done by taking a small roll of skin between the thumb, index and middle fingers. While applying steady pressure with the thumbs of both hands, "roll" the skin in different directions by "walking" your fingers up and across the shoulder and upper back region. This too should continue for about 5 minutes. By this point anyone with a frozen shoulder will consider this massage treatment the best instant pain relief around.
Next, Apply graduated pressure to the same muscles with stationary circular motion. This is best achieved by using the heel of the hand or even the elbow. Be careful not to press too hard, but enough so that the feeling is firm and moderately deep. Range of motion can be improved by taking the individual's shoulder to an end point of motion, just before pain and applying pressure to the restricted area.
Last, finish the session by going back to the light crossing strokes. This should again last around 5 minutes. After the massage have the person do light shoulder rolls forwards and backwards. If desired, more heat can be added for a short time before beginning any stretching exercise.
Now you know how to use massage as a frozen shoulder treatment and your loved one will surely thank you for it.
No comments:
Post a Comment