DC and LHD both run in my family (all 5 of us!) and so does frozen shoulder. I currently have a frozen shoulder, and started losing mobility last November. AS of February, I am slowly regaining mobility and the pain has eased. Because there are so many poor treatments out there that actually worsen the pain and can do lasting damage, I wanted to share the approach used at Duke Sports Medicine, where I have been treated.

The approach is simply to do nothing! At least not until the pain has greatly lessened and the shoulder is starting to thaw. Then start some gentle PT exercises. They take this approach because the best research shows that lots of intervention results in the same amount of recovery time, but is much more painful, so why bother? And some aggressive interventions can really mess your arm up, and your neck too. Trust me, just BE PATIENT. The healing process takes a long time. The best thing you can do is to rest the arm and avoid doing anything that causes pain so that the inflammation can calm down and the healing process can begin. Yes, you will lose mobility, but that is not a bad sign, it is simply inevitable.

SLEEP IN A CHAIR. One of those big reclining lazy boy chairs will keep you from rolling onto your bad shoulder. You will experience less pain and will wake up to a less inflamed shoulder. I found a used one in a thrift shop for $150.

HEAT HELPS. Get a heating pad that drapes over your shoulders and clasps in front. Sunbeam makes one.

DON"T LISTEN to anyone who tells you do something invasive or painful. Americans especially have a hard time with a do-nothing approach, but be firm and you will have less pain and a better long term outcome.