No, no specific cause. Sometimes it's the result of a specific injury, but sometimes it "just happens."

I went to an acupuncturist last night, and was VERY impressed by the results. In just one visit, he definitely increased my range of motion - mostly by sticking needles in my left ankle, of all places - and helped reduce my pain. It was my first experience with acupuncture, but I am definitely going back!

       That's cool.     How much do they charge for something like that...like by the hour, half hour??    I think I'm going to have to check into some of that.
      Did they offer any advice on diet, supplements, herbs?     Did they tell you to wait before you try to practice, give it time to soak in?

Acupuncture is great stuff, esp. useful for pain. The Chinese even use it as anesthesia for minor surgeries!
 And for those who think it's all subjective, I've had acupuncture done on my dog and one of my horses, and it especially helped the dog a great deal! The horse has done much better w/ massage therapy.
 Glad to hear it's working for you!!

robyn

#3521 from this list. It contains about 20 different herbs, but I can't find a list of them online.

http://www.evherb.com/Products/evergreencollection_list9.htm

Mr A., great to hear the accupunture helps.
I know it does wonders for me. I actually fell asleep the first time I had it done.
The thing about your ankle controlling your shoulder, yeah, crazy isnt it.
The feet control the liver. Who would have thought!
Looks like the cymbals will rise again, I knew they would.

I'm no expert on this, although I'm learning more every day. My shoulder still sucks. It hurts a lot when I make certain small moves - a paralyzing jolt of pain that takes a minute or two to subside. And I'm incredibly restricted in terms of motion. It's enough to make me cranky. 

The acupuncture does NOT mask the pain. If anything, I'm more sore after an acupuncture session. But it does remarkable things for increasing my range of motion. But so far those increases have been temporary. But it has helped with lessening the inflammation - it's really interesting to feel the changes that can occur in just half an hour - I wouldn't have believed it until I tried it. I've been taking very few painkillers, because like you I'm concerned that if I simply mask the pain, I'll hurt myself worse.

Unfortunately the nature of this injury is such that you have to basically wait for it to heal. I may not even be experiencing the worst of it yet, a thought that chills me. The root of the problem with a frozen shoulder injury is under the arm, yet the most intense pain is felt on the outside and front of the arm - very weird. So I assume the pain is all nerve-generated, although the muscles get pretty cranky from all the compensating they're doing.

Thanks for asking.

I second the sports medicine.  The doctors who specialize in this are geared to getting the athlete back on the field as soon as possible.  I go to a masseuse and the deep tissue work has helped my range of motion.  I could move the cymbals back up now but Ive learned to like them low.

No, it's not going very well, but thanks for asking. After repeated visits to my orthopedist, this week I've started an intensive regimen of physical therapy with a person who specializes in shoulders - we'll see if it helps.

well that's a bummer. but it does sound like a longer-range ailment.

physical therapy is amazing, though. very uncomfortable and/or painful at times, but the benefits outweigh any discomfort.

good luck and 'think healing thoughts'!

Wow this is interesting! I have always considered trying acupuncture for my various physical ailments but I've never heard someone else's experience. Feel better. I can understand how losing a hobby you love for a while could get you down a bit. You'll be back!

-Feel better.