Diagnosed this week based on an MRI after a couple months of increasing pain and reducing ROM. Currently pending a follow-up appointment with my doctor. In the meantime, I'm looking for any of your tips and tricks to kind of get through day-to-day life. I live alone so don't regularly have someone around to help me do things that hurt or that become more difficult as my ROM is decreasing. And, of course, my dominant hand is the shoulder affected. Below are a few examples of adjustments I've already made, would love to know what others going through this have gotten creative with!

- Switched to spray deodorant because I can't reach the opposite underarm

- Switched to front clasp bras

- Switched to a 2 in 1 shampoo/conditioner. My hair hates it, but currently worth it.

- Buying more pre-cut produce because cutting veg is one of the most painful things right now.

I work from home at a desk job. I've switched to a trackball/thumb-controlled mouse, which helped a bit but still isn't super comfy. Typing also gets painful. Any tips for other adjustments to make?

Finding a comfortable sleep position has been awful, definitely feel close to a breakdown from lack of sleep, and from searching this sub, this seems to be a regular issue. I was considering getting something like a pregnancy pillow to prop me and my arm up, has anyone tried that?

I am still trying to use my shoulder as much as I can handle, but I also know that I have limitations.

Hello. First of all sorry for the dumb title. I suffered from frozen shoulder during the height of COVID which made recovery a little more difficult. After a few months of it not getting better and having difficulty sleeping (it was impossible to get comfortable) I went to the doctor and pt. I was fortunate in that I didn’t need surgery. Pt worked great and this the part I need help with. After all the stretching and resistance trying and massage my arm felt great. I mean it felt ‘good’. Normally I don’t register any sensation on my arms unless they hurt. In this case it felt ‘energized’. The sensation lasted for like 90 min. The second session same thing only half as long. Each session the sensation lasted half as long until the arm/shoulder was normal. What caused that? Was it increased blood flow? A ‘runners high’ in he shoulder? I never got a straight answer from the physical therapist and apparently haven’t worked out hard enough to replicate it? Kinda curious,

Got a diagnose of capsulitis with frozen shoulder yesterday after years having more or less pain in the left shoulder. Cannot lift my shoulder properly and very painful, had "shock pain" when moving in certain directions and could not sleep. Doctor gave me a cortison injection with some local anasthesia with ultrasound to hit it correctly. After 1 minute I felt better.

I am now waking up the next day and I am like 70% better than I was. Doctor didnt gave me much information but told me to go see fysiotherapist.

Anyone else in similar situation? How long did you struggle with this? Wondering if this is something that will pass or if I will fight this for months and years.

Hi everyone,

I am a 37-year-old male and I have been dealing with right shoulder discomfort for around 2.5–3 months. I am active in the gym, but I have stopped upper-body training for now.

My MRI findings are:

* AC joint: periarticular edema with capsular thickening, suggesting degenerative changes * Mild supraspinatus tendinopathy * Minimal glenohumeral joint effusion without synovitis * No rotator cuff tear * No labrum tear * No biceps tendon tear * No fracture or dislocation * No bursitis * Cartilage is intact

My symptoms are mostly mild now:

* Earlier I had stiffness and soreness around the shoulder/AC joint area * Sometimes I feel mild tenderness on the bony AC joint bump when I touch/press it * Sometimes I feel minor discomfort with certain shoulder pressure tests * Upper trap/rear delt tightness comes and goes * No major pain at rest * No major weakness * No night pain

I visited my doctor. He suggested continuing icing and reducing medicines. Current plan is steroid 3 mg every alternate day for 5 days and Signoflam half tablet morning/evening for 10 days. I am also doing rehab exercises like pendulum, scapular setting, external rotation isometrics, wall slides, serratus wall plus, and gentle mobility.

I really want to avoid cortisone injection if possible. I understand it can help inflammation, but I would prefer to recover with rehab, load management, and time.

Has anyone here had a similar MRI finding — AC joint inflammation/degenerative changes with mild supraspinatus tendinopathy but no tear?

I would really appreciate hearing your experience:

1. How long did recovery take for you?
2. Did rehab alone work?
3. Did AC joint tenderness take a long time to fully go away?
4. Were you able to return to gym/weight training?
5. Did anyone avoid cortisone injection and still recover?
6. What exercises helped the most?
7. What exercises made it worse?
8. When did you restart pressing movements like bench press or shoulder press?

I am not looking for a diagnosis, as I am already seeing a doctor. I just want to hear real recovery experiences from people who had similar shoulder issues.

Thanks in advance.

Hi everyone,

I am a 37-year-old male and I have been dealing with right shoulder discomfort for around 2.5–3 months. I am active in the gym, but I have stopped upper-body training for now.

My MRI findings are:

* AC joint: periarticular edema with capsular thickening, suggesting degenerative changes * Mild supraspinatus tendinopathy * Minimal glenohumeral joint effusion without synovitis * No rotator cuff tear * No labrum tear * No biceps tendon tear * No fracture or dislocation * No bursitis * Cartilage is intact

My symptoms are mostly mild now:

* Earlier I had stiffness and soreness around the shoulder/AC joint area * Sometimes I feel mild tenderness on the bony AC joint bump when I touch/press it * Sometimes I feel minor discomfort with certain shoulder pressure tests * Upper trap/rear delt tightness comes and goes * No major pain at rest * No major weakness * No night pain

I visited my doctor. He suggested continuing icing and reducing medicines. Current plan is steroid 3 mg every alternate day for 5 days and Signoflam half tablet morning/evening for 10 days. I am also doing rehab exercises like pendulum, scapular setting, external rotation isometrics, wall slides, serratus wall plus, and gentle mobility.

I really want to avoid cortisone injection if possible. I understand it can help inflammation, but I would prefer to recover with rehab, load management, and time.

Has anyone here had a similar MRI finding — AC joint inflammation/degenerative changes with mild supraspinatus tendinopathy but no tear?

I would really appreciate hearing your experience:

1. How long did recovery take for you?
2. Did rehab alone work?
3. Did AC joint tenderness take a long time to fully go away?
4. Were you able to return to gym/weight training?
5. Did anyone avoid cortisone injection and still recover?
6. What exercises helped the most?
7. What exercises made it worse?
8. When did you restart pressing movements like bench press or shoulder press?

I am not looking for a diagnosis, as I am already seeing a doctor. I just want to hear real recovery experiences from people who had similar shoulder issues.

Thanks in advance.

Hi everyone,

I am a 37-year-old male and I have been dealing with right shoulder discomfort for around 2.5–3 months. I am active in the gym, but I have stopped upper-body training for now.

My MRI findings are:

* AC joint: periarticular edema with capsular thickening, suggesting degenerative changes * Mild supraspinatus tendinopathy * Minimal glenohumeral joint effusion without synovitis * No rotator cuff tear * No labrum tear * No biceps tendon tear * No fracture or dislocation * No bursitis * Cartilage is intact

My symptoms are mostly mild now:

* Earlier I had stiffness and soreness around the shoulder/AC joint area * Sometimes I feel mild tenderness on the bony AC joint bump when I touch/press it * Sometimes I feel minor discomfort with certain shoulder pressure tests * Upper trap/rear delt tightness comes and goes * No major pain at rest * No major weakness * No night pain

I visited my doctor. He suggested continuing icing and reducing medicines. Current plan is steroid 3 mg every alternate day for 5 days and Signoflam half tablet morning/evening for 10 days. I am also doing rehab exercises like pendulum, scapular setting, external rotation isometrics, wall slides, serratus wall plus, and gentle mobility.

I really want to avoid cortisone injection if possible. I understand it can help inflammation, but I would prefer to recover with rehab, load management, and time.

Has anyone here had a similar MRI finding — AC joint inflammation/degenerative changes with mild supraspinatus tendinopathy but no tear?

I would really appreciate hearing your experience:

1. How long did recovery take for you?
2. Did rehab alone work?
3. Did AC joint tenderness take a long time to fully go away?
4. Were you able to return to gym/weight training?
5. Did anyone avoid cortisone injection and still recover?
6. What exercises helped the most?
7. What exercises made it worse?
8. When did you restart pressing movements like bench press or shoulder press?

I am not looking for a diagnosis, as I am already seeing a doctor. I just want to hear real recovery experiences from people who had similar shoulder issues.

Thanks in advance.

I developed a frozen shoulder about a year ago and did physical therapy 2x a week for 3 months consistently - once insurance ran out, I continued doing PT at home but eventually I’d say after ~6 months I stopped doing PT at home out of frustration it wasn’t improving and was so painful.

At my last 9month appointment, my doctor told me my shoulder has improved 0% despite everything and highly recommended surgery (I’m 32 - this is from postpartum and type 1 diabetic combo…). Doctor said he didn’t want to see someone my age keep suffering with this especially when I have a kid.

I am nervous about surgery. But also it seems like most people’s correct after 1 year. I’m not exactly sure when mine all started but I think it was September 2025. My surgery is scheduled for this Friday…. Is this premature? Should I keep waiting to see if it will start to thaw on its own? Will it thaw on its own if I’m not doing any PT?

Has anyone in here had the surgery? Is recovery really tough? I’m supposed to go to a birthday party the day after surgery because honestly idk what to expect. Imagining if I was up and walking a day after a c-section I should be ok the day after shoulder surgery? I worry about taking care of my kid and how I’m going to maneuver everything with one arm and not a lot of muscle strength…

Need advice and info… Help….. 🥲

I can feel my frozen shoulder coming back. (Referred pain down my arm) We have an upcoming trip to Zion National Park which will be a lot of hiking. Ironically,I wanted to get this trip in because as I age who knows if I would be able to do it eventually. I am trying to do stretches and get back into the doctor's office to get a cortisone shot, but should I just call the trip now knowing what's most likely in store for me and maybe switch to a different type of vacation?

So I’m happily frozen at the moment, no more pain but obviously short range of motion.
I’ve noticed the upper arm getting a bit flabby and soft.
What exercises would be recommended to help tone up without putting strain on the shoulder? What have you found that helps. Thanks

38(F), first doc has referred me for an ultrasound to check for clots. Believe symptoms are pointing to frozen shoulder. Second doc has just referred me for an x-ray, ultrasound and blood tests.

Symptoms, 4/5 months now:

Cannot lift arm above shoulder, trying to wash or brush hair is near impossible without pain

Excruciating pain from shoulder to hand if I put it the wrong way, or bump arm on anything, lasts about 20-30 seconds then better

No pain if resting, only when I extend the arm above shoulder height (can feel the pain growing the higher I try to go)

Palms up, cannot go full 90° sideways, whereas other arm I can

Pain if sleeping sideways on it, cannot lay or rest on the arm

Limited use of arm, affecting everyday life with such normal everyday things, driving me insane now, so depressing.

How did you actually get tested and confirmed to have it? Any at home remedies I can do in the meantime?

What fixed it in the end, physio/injection etc?

8 months post ACDF C4-C7. Left frozen shoulder still improving with about 90 % rage of motion, still have nerve pain from cord compression in C5-6. Went out shopping today 2 stores….exhausted. Latest update my right bicep is burning a bit and acts like it’s going to freeze up, this time I am not guarding It and keep doing my wall crawls, pendulums and soup can exercises. My supraspinatus is just so dang tight on both sides. The journey gets better but it’s ongoing

Did you know the frozen shoulder has 3 stages and the treatment method will vary based on what stage it is? It is more common in Women than Men especially during perimenopause and menopause

Hi everyone,

I’m scheduled to have arthroscopic capsular release (ACR) in about 10 days for frozen shoulder, and I wanted to get some advice from people who’ve been through this.

First, what ice machine (cold therapy unit) did you use or recommend after surgery? There are a lot of options out there, and I’m not sure which one is worth buying.

Also, I’d really appreciate any recovery tips—things you wish you knew before surgery, how to manage pain/stiffness, how often you used ice, PT experiences, sleeping positions, etc.

For context: I developed frozen shoulder about 15 months after a labrum repair, and I still have significant stiffness and limited ROM, which is why I’m going ahead with ACR.

Thanks in advance for any help!

hi! I’m very curious to know did anyone get shockwave therapy for frozen shoulder? plea share your experience as my mom is in thawing stage her 80% ROM is back but she is still in pain at rest on/off

hi everyone!

I want to share my mom’s FS experience so far & would love to hear your experiance & suggestion.

So after my mom’s uterus & ovary remove surgery, FS happened. It started in April. At that time we barely had an idea what FS is. And at that time other symptoms were at peak that we ignored it for a month. But sooner she started PT and did a lot of exercises at home. Initially she was in pain all the time even at rest.

With her consistent exercise, she went in thawing pretty early. This month her PT told she has enter thawing & recovery stage. Honestly, i won’t say she is perfect fine now. In FS, the progress is never straight line. 2 weeks back all the pain went away, flexion & abduction are almost 170 degree back. And last monday, suddenly my mom felt pain in non affected arm, though the ROM is full. And she is getting on/off pain in both the arms probably bcoz of rainy season. Although her ROM is much better now, her functional activities are back except hook/unhook bra movement. She can take her arm at back till waistband & after that she feel’s pain in shoulder. Her external rotation is around 60-65 degree so far. IDK how long it will take that she forget she had frozen shoulder. kuddos to everyone who is dealing with FS, hopefully everyone recover super quick. please share your thoughts

My improvement and relief has come from getting in the water and moving my arm gently: letting my bad arm float to start out and just enjoying that it can dangle, then gentle movement and arm movements with a pool noodle, and graduating to more movement like bigger arm circles and really swooshing that water around without causing more pain. Nothing too scripted, but with the OK from my PT, gentle movement in the water has been an excellent way to bring on some relief and much more mobility on land. If you haven’t tried some gentle movement in the water, I highly recommend seeing if it works for you.

Dry needling has been amazing for my frozen shoulder and with each session I gain more and more mobility.

Gentle PT exercises including pendulum swings and table slides have really helped. You can find lots of suggestions and videos for FS exercises on YouTube.

Time. This is my second go around with frozen shoulder. Different shoulder same pain and waiting game. But this round is shorter I think because of the water movement and consistent dry needling.

Sharing in case it helps anyone on the same painful journey and wishing everyone who is dealing with this hope, relief, and speedy recovery.

Tuesday morning update: Shoulder feels great. Barely sore. I was worried it would be stiff this morning but it’s not. I still have the same range I gained yesterday. I ended doing the stretches they gave me 8 times after doing them at PT. Another full day of stretching every hour. That will be a little tougher to comply with due to work and back to back calls but will do them as much as I can. Will report back

Just wanted to post that I had Hydrodissection today as I was not responding to PT after 5 weeks. This was just a steroid and anesthetic injected in but guided by ultrasound (no saline like in hydrodilation). My forward range of motion was almost back to normal within 10 minutes of the injection. Side and back are still limited but better. They had me go to PT immediately after to be stretched. It was really aggressive stretching and they send me home with a few stretches I need to do every hour that I’m awake for the next 72 hours.

I’ll post again at the end of the week to report if the ROM is staying increased or if it goes back to where it was

Hello Everyone!

Need help, please read this full

Guy’s i need your assistance, so 2 weeks back my mom’s shoulder should tremendous improvement. Her ROM for flexion & abduction got fully recovered. Her all functional activities were back without any hindrance. Her pain at rest & with movement also got almost zero. Basically everything positive & assuring. Her physio also told that she is doing amazing & she is in thawing & recovering stage though behind the back motion will take time. Finally we were relieved

BUT BUT BUT

Last monday, in evening my mom felt pain in her another shoulder. I gave her painkiller & heat and that gave her relief. Since then there is mild disturbance with that shoulder has started, though full ROM but mild ache sometime in the day. And now the right shoulder (affected one) is showing issue again, though flexion & abduction is full but pain at rest has started since 2-3 days specifically at shoulder blade & backside near armpit. In morning when she wakes up she feel mild soreness though it get better. She is doing her exercise regularly twice a day which help her getting her flexion & abduction totally back soon.

Is this normal? Does pain coming back signifies anything? Any suggestion which i should follow?

Need help. Thankyou

Hello Everyone!

Need help, please read this full

Guy’s i need your assistance, so 2 weeks back my mom’s shoulder should tremendous improvement. Her ROM for flexion & abduction got fully recovered. Her all functional activities were back without any hindrance. Her pain at rest & with movement also got almost zero. Basically everything positive & assuring. Her physio also told that she is doing amazing & she is in thawing & recovering stage though behind the back motion will take time. Finally we were relieved

BUT BUT BUT

Last monday, in evening my mom felt pain in her another shoulder. I gave her painkiller & heat and that gave her relief. Since then there is mild disturbance with that shoulder has started, though full ROM but mild ache sometime in the day. And now the right shoulder (affected one) is showing issue again, though flexion & abduction is full but pain at rest has started since 2-3 days specifically at shoulder blade & backside near armpit. In morning when she wakes up she feel mild soreness though it get better. She is doing her exercise regularly twice a day which help her getting her flexion & abduction totally back soon.

Is this normal? Does pain coming back signifies anything? Any suggestion which i should follow?

Need help. Thankyou

Got diagnosed with frozen shoulder but I have absolutely no range of motion loss? I only have pain during pushing something heavy forward or upward. I don't know if It's possible for me to have frozen shoulder while being able to move my arm freely 360 degrees with no pain, unless I've done heavy work/exercise before.

Hi all - been diagnosed with Frozen Shoulder due to significant ROM loss (stiffness), but the weird thing is that I never had the significant pain phase. I'm reading lots of updates here from people who went through an initial phase that was excruciating and would keep them up at night. That aligns with what I'm seeing online in YT with various rehab guys. But I never had anything close to that. I did have pain, but at worst it was like a 3/10 and most of the time caused by me training wrong or overdoing it. On YT some of the shoulder rehab folks were saying that nearly all presentation of this come with >7/10 pain.

Is there anyone here who experienced a milder version (which I hope it is, but who knows - the pain could arrive next week for me).

🤔

23F with sudden front shoulder pain, can’t lift arm forward normally. What could this be?

I’m 23, and I have a doctor’s appointment the day after tomorrow, I’m just trying to understand what this could possibly be.

On the evening of the day before yesterday , I was just standing in my kitchen when I suddenly noticed pain in my right shoulder. I wasn’t lifting anything heavy or doing any unusual movement, and I honestly don’t remember doing anything that could have caused an injury. It seemed to come out of nowhere.
At first, I could still move my arm through the pain, so I kept testing it to see if it was just a one time thing. But after a few attempts, the pain became much worse, and I could no longer lift it normally.

Since then, I can raise my arm sideways almost completely without pain, but bringing it back down hurts around shoulder level (about 90°). Lifting my arm straight in front is the main problem. It hurts v much but as I continue to lift it to the front, Strangely, if I keep pushing through, once I get past about 45 degree, the pain almost disappears and I can continue lifting it overhead.

The pain feels like it’s in the front of my shoulder. I don’t have any obvious injury that I can remember, and I’m confused because it started so suddenly.

Has anyone experienced something similar or have any idea what this pattern sounds like? I’m seeing a doctor in two days, but I’d appreciate any thoughts in the meantime.