Arthritis causes inflammation and stiffness in your joints, which makes movement difficult. When it occurs in the shoulders, it can be super frustrating and make your everyday activities quite challenging. Shoulder arthritis may occur due to the breakdown of the cartilage cushioning your shoulder joints. If left untreated, it can worsen over time and affect your quality of life.
ANF Therapy®️ is the newest treatment for shoulder arthritis. It aims to relieve pain by removing inflammation, strengthening muscles and ligaments, and improving shoulder movement without medication or surgery.
Types of arthritis in shoulder joint:
There are different types of shoulder arthritis, including osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and post-traumatic arthritis. Osteoarthritis is the most common type, usually caused by the gradual wearing down of cartilage due to age or repetitive movements. Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease where the body mistakenly attacks its own joints, causing inflammation and damage. Post-traumatic arthritis develops after a shoulder injury, such as a fracture or dislocation, leading to long-term joint problems. Although each type has different causes, they all share common symptoms.
6 Signs of arthritis in the shoulder
Here are some common signs of arthritis in the shoulder you should watch for:
1. Persistent pain
Pain is one of the most common and earliest signs of arthritis in the shoulder. Depending on the severity and type of arthritis, this pain could be a dull ache or more intense. People may feel pain in the front, side, or back of the shoulder. Sometimes, the pain radiates down the arm or even into the elbow and wrist.
It is reported if there is inflammation in the glenohumeral joint, where the ball (head of the humerus) fits into the socket (glenoid) of the scapula, pain is felt in the back or side of the shoulder. It may feel like a deep, aching pain. Suppose the acromioclavicular joint, which joins the collarbone (clavicle) to the acromion of the shoulder blade, is involved. In that case, the pain is felt at the top of the shoulder near the clavicle. This pain may be sharp or sensitive to touch.
Many people feel constant pain. But in some, it may increase with movement or physical activity. Some people may also experience intense pain during weather changes, such as humidity levels. In addition, shoulder pain may worsen after periods of inactivity, such as when you first wake up or after sitting for extended periods. This symptom can be prominent in rheumatoid arthritis, where inflammation builds up overnight.
2. Limited range of motion
Stiffness is a common symptom for people with shoulder arthritis, which restricts the range of motion in the joint. This limited movement can make everyday activities difficult and painful. As the arthritis worsens, the shoulder becomes less flexible, and the ability to move freely decreases. Consequently, people feel restricted, which negatively affects their quality of life.
3. Swelling and inflammation
Swelling around the shoulder joint is another sign of arthritis. This occurs as the body’s immune response to cartilage damage. It is especially common in conditions like rheumatoid arthritis and post-traumatic arthritis. Additionally, the shoulder may appear swollen or feel warm to the touch. Redness and tenderness in the joint may also accompany the swelling.
4. Grinding or popping sensation
A grinding or popping feeling in the shoulder is a common sign of osteoarthritis. As the protective cartilage in the shoulder breaks down, the bones within the joint may start to rub against each other, which creates a grinding or cracking sound known as “crepitus.”
This usually occurs during movements such as lifting, rotating, or extending the arm. The sensation may be accompanied by discomfort or stiffness. The grinding sensation can become more noticeable and intense as the condition worsens. Over time, the bone-on-bone friction can lead to increased pain, further joint damage, and reduced mobility.
5. Weakness in the shoulder
Arthritis can weaken the muscles surrounding the shoulder joint due to decreased mobility and pain. Over time, the shoulder may feel weaker, which makes it harder to perform tasks that require strength or stability, like lifting heavy objects or pushing. Muscle weakness can also contribute to joint instability and further pain.
6. Difficulty Sleeping
Shoulder arthritis pain can also disrupt sleep. Many people report lying on the affected shoulder can be uncomfortable or painful. This leads to interrupted sleep as people must adjust their sleeping positions frequently. As a result, people with shoulder arthritis often wake up groggy or unrefreshed.
Treatment of shoulder arthritis with ANF Therapy®️:
Your ANF Therapists take a comprehensive approach to your shoulder arthritis. They start by gathering detailed information about your condition, including medical history, symptoms, and lifestyle factors. Through this clinical assessment, they aim to identify the root causes contributing to pain and dysfunction. The diagnosis of shoulder arthritis is based on the following:
History:
Your ANF Therapists will take a detailed history regarding your disease. The history includes:
- What are your presenting complaints?
- Which side of the shoulder joint is affected?
- What is the nature of pain?
- Does this pain radiate down to your arm and fingers?
- Does your range of motion be affected?
- Do you have any history of previous injury to your shoulder joint?
Physical examination:
During physical examination, your ANF Therapists will do your inspection to look for any visible swelling, deformity, and asymmetry in the joint areas. After inspection, they will do palpation to check tenderness, warmth or swelling around the joint.
Some physical tests are also performed to diagnose the disease. These include:
Neer test:
The Neer test is performed to check the impingement in your shoulder joint. In this test, the examiner stabilises your scapula with one hand to prevent movement at this joint and passively moves your arm in full forward flexion. Pain during this test indicates shoulder impingement.
Hawkins test:
The Hawkins test is a clinical assessment used to evaluate shoulder impingement. During this test, your ANF Therapist will position your arm at a 90-degree forward flexion and bend the elbow at a 90-degree angle. They will then gently rotate your shoulder internally. If this movement causes pain, it may indicate impingement of the rotator cuff tendons or subacromial structures.
Neurological examination:
During a neurological examination, your ANF Therapists will assess the sensory and motor innervation from your shoulder joint to your fingers. They will also evaluate your bicep, triceps, and brachioradialis reflexes to check your neurological response.
Application of ANF Devices:
After completing a thorough clinical examination, your ANF Therapist will design a personalised treatment protocol tailored to your condition. Based on the findings, ANF Devices will be applied to specific areas of your body. These include anti-inflammatory and antioxidant devices designed to address the underlying issues.
These devices work by reducing inflammation in your body and neutralising reactive oxygen species, known to worsen inflammation. This approach promotes faster recovery and helps restore optimal body function without medications, needles, or supplements.
Start your journey with ANF Therapy®️:
If you are tired of getting a lot of medicines and, your shoulder pain is not letting you go, and you want effective management for your pain. ANF Therapy®️ is the newest treatment for managing shoulder pain symptoms. If you’re suffering from shoulder arthritis for any reason, consult an ANF Practitioner or find an ANF Therapist at https://www.anftherapy.com/find-clinic/ to start your treatment with ANF Therapy®️ today!
If you’re a healthcare practitioner and want to enhance your clinical skills with frequency medicine, learn more about the ANF Therapy®️ and ANF Clinical education program by visiting www.anfacademy.com.
