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