Shockwave therapy may ease short term frozen shoulder pain

Extracorporeal shockwave therapy probably reduces short-term pain associated with frozen shoulder, according to a review of clinical trial evidence published by The BMJ and reported by Medical Xpress. The analysis also found that manipulation under anesthesia, performed with or without steroid injections, probably improves short-term arm flexion compared with standard care. [1]

Flexion refers to raising the arm forward and overhead. While these interventions show short-term efficacy for pain and movement, Medical Xpress reported that any lasting long-term benefits from the treatments remain uncertain based on the current evidence. [1]

A shock wave is a type of propagating acoustic disturbance that moves faster than the local speed of sound within a medium. It carries energy through media while causing sudden changes in local pressure, density, and temperature. [2]