Struggling to lift your arm? Recently acquired a shoulder injury that you can’t seem to recover from? You may be suffering from adhesive capsulitis – commonly known as frozen shoulder.
Frozen shoulder is the scarring, thickening and shrinkage of the joint capsule that results in a severe loss of motion in your shoulders. Additional symptoms typically include stiffness and pain. These symptoms will only continue to develop the longer your shoulder remains untreated, lasting up to two years. Upon diagnosis, one of the first things your doctor will recommend is a massage. We have prepared this guide to help you find the right massage for your shoulder injury.
It is important to note that any massage to treat frozen shoulder will be at times uncomfortable. Therefore, you need a highly trained and experiences massage therapist to treat you. The last thing you need is to feel worse after a shoulder massage, right?
Which massage is right for you?
Like many chronic conditions, frozen shoulder cannot be treated in a single massage session. As such it is beneficial to schedule regular massage treatment for your shoulder. There are a number of massage therapies that can ease the pain of frozen shoulder and eventually fix your condition. But when it comes to frozen shoulder, you are free to try as many as you need to.
Swedish Massage
The ever popular Swedish massage uses soft strokes on the delicate areas of your body and rougher strokes on the tougher areas. It is so popular because it is ideal for relaxation and has a deeply calming effect. What’s more, it eases muscle strain which makes it a great countermeasure for frozen shoulder. Many experienced massage therapists are comfortable with Swedish massages as they are one of the most requested massages. Swedish massages typically last somewhere between 60 and 90 minutes, which is just long enough for you to relax. Despite the pain you will experience due to your condition, your experienced massage therapist will endeavour to relax you. In order to help with this, they will use various oils and lotions that help to make the massage more comfortable. Some massage therapists even choose to play relaxing music throughout the massage. This helps you to relax and feel far calmer as they massage such a painful area.
Deep Tissue Massage
The severity of a frozen shoulder condition is eased by a more intense massage. Often seen as an evolution of the Swedish massage, a deep tissue massage differs in that it applies far more pressure. It does so in order to access the deeper layers of muscle throughout your body. By doing this, it can help treat even severe conditions like frozen shoulder. However, a deep tissue massage can be sore for even healthy muscles. Meaning that if your frozen shoulder is very painful, the massage may be unbearable for you. This is something that you will have to communicate with your massage therapist. An experienced massage therapist will be able to manage your condition and apply appropriate pressure to relieve your pain.
Trigger Point Therapy
Trigger point therapy is a remedial massage that accesses tender muscles and trigger points across your body. In doing so, your massage therapist can reduce the inflammation and pain within these areas. Trigger point therapy is an excellent solution for any muscle stiffness as it actively applies pressure to key locations. This form of massage therapy also seeks to improve the healing of your muscles in addition to relieving the pain. It is important to note that trigger point therapy is a more advanced massage therapy and only more experienced massage therapists will feel comfortable administering it. Especially considering the severity of your frozen shoulder condition.
Heat Therapy – A massage aid
In addition to your massage therapy, you can utilise heat therapy to speed up recovery. Heat therapy or thermotherapy is a way of applying heat to your blood vessels which encourages circulation. This is beneficial for a massage as it reduces pain and stimulates movement in your muscles. As a massage with frozen shoulder is known to be painful, heat therapy is an excellent way of easing this process. Heat therapy can be used with any of the three massages we have listed above. An experienced massage therapist will have all the tools required to provide you with heat therapy before your massage. The most common way of practicing heat therapy is through heating packs or steamed towels. Either option helps to provide deep heat therapy to your muscles and begins your recovery process.
The additional benefits of massages
In addition to your road to recovery from frozen shoulder, all of these treatments have added benefits. All massages encourage blood circulation throughout your body. Not only does this help to treat your condition but it may reduce the likelihood of future injury to your body. What’s more, massages are incredible tools for stress relief. Massages release serotonin and dopamine within your body. These chemicals are incredibly beneficial for your body and lead to reduced stress levels. Not only will your body feel incredible after a massage, your mind will too.
Throughout the treatment for your frozen shoulder it is highly recommended that you receive regular massage therapy. The frequency is best discussed with your doctor following your diagnosis. But it proves time and again the best way to deal with chronic pain such as frozen shoulder. Better still, you will surely find that the massage treatment is incredibly enjoyable and helps you to relax.
Blys Mobile Massage is here for you
Providing a luxury range of massages to help alleviate your frozen shoulder and chronic pain, Blys Mobile Massage is ready to help. Offering flexible appointments to suit your busy schedule, an experienced massage therapist will bring everything required to give you a blissful massage right to your front door. Find out if Blys Mobile Massage operates in your area by clicking here and see how simple and easy it is to bring the massage of your dreams, to you.
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