I finally found something that helps!!!!
I am experiencing my second bout with frozen shoulder. The first was several years ago. Both times it occurred shortly after I stopped exercising due to injuries, so I have to think it has to do with not moving around enough. I’m 42 and a type 1 diabetic. I have always worked out so this is very hard for me. The first time around I did a cortisone injection and several months of aggressive stretching therapy (2-3 times a week and I was at my pain limit with the stretching but I wanted to get better). It worked, but my blood sugars were out of control for at least a month and it took several months before I felt better.
This time around, I tried physical therapy without the cortisone. 13 sessions and nothing. Tried acupuncture. 11 sessions and nothing. Took pain meds to sleep. Finally decided to try massage. Now let me say that I have a very high pain threshold so this may not work for everyone. I started the massages about three weeks ago after suffering with the FS for about 10 months. Within two sessions I felt so much better. Now, after 7 sessions, I am pain free. My range of motion is definitely not completely back, but I’m off the pain meds and don't even have pain when I sleep, which was a major problem before.
This massage therapist works for a full hour just on my one shoulder - as aggressively as she is physically able to do (and she’s strong). It’s painful while she’s doing it but it’s made a huge difference for me. I saw massage recommended in one of the forums and decided to try it. I now know it’s the only real thing that helps me. I have tried everything else! I don’t know if light massage would help, but definitely a very deep tissue massage a couple of times a week has helped me tremendously.