If you are currently suffering from SIRVA pain (which stands for Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine Administration) from a poorly placed vaccine injection you know just how painful a frozen shoulder can be. Caused by damage done to ligaments, tendons or bursae, this condition can be frustrating and very disruptive to your daily life.
With this kind of shoulder injury, inflammation of the soft tissue inside your shoulder causes painful movement and can greatly limit your mobility until you have a chance to fully heal, which often takes many months. So, in addition to a visit to your doctor for the damage assessment and to coordinate a clinical treatment plan, you may wonder what you can do at home to give yourself some relief from pain. Here we offer a few suggestions of ways to seek some relief at home.
Of course, always be sure to check in with your doctor to determine if these approaches are recommended for your specific SIRVA situation. If you are experiencing shoulder pain, arm pain, reduced range of motion, weakness, or any other symptoms following a vaccination, you should call your healthcare provider as soon as possible to advise them of these symptoms.
Over the Counter Medication for SIRVA Pain Relief
The tried and true, anti-inflammatory pain relievers in your home medicine cabinet can offer some limited relief. Medicines such as aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), or naproxen (Anaprox, Naprosyn, or Aleve) may even be your go-to in between other types of treatments. Be sure to use them as directed by the label and your doctor.
Ice Packs
If you already have an ice or gel pack in your freezer, now is the time to bust that out and apply to your affected shoulder for 10-15 minutes, several times a day to ease inflammation. If you don’t have an ice or gel pack, a bag of frozen vegetables can perform just as well, as a substitute.
Moist Heat Therapy
Use a towel to absorb some hot, steamy water. Then, wring out the towel so it’s no longer dripping wet and gently place the warm, moist towel over your injured shoulder for some warm relief. Leave the towel on your shoulder for a good 10 minutes or so while the moist heat absorbs into the area, then remove, and slowly move your shoulder in a way that gently loosens your mobility a bit without forcing anything. Doing this up to five times a day, throughout the day, may provide a welcomed reduction of shoulder pain.
Gentle Shoulder-Stretching Exercises
There are five exercises that physical therapists may recommend to increase mobility of a frozen or still shoulder in a gentle way. If you’re already working with a physical therapist, be sure to ask about these easy exercises you can do in the comfort of your own home. You will want to start by warming up your affected shoulder with a hot bath or shower or by using the moist heat therapy method mentioned above. Focus on adding some or all of these five simple exercises to your daily routine to see progress with your pain relief and arm and shoulder mobility over time.
The Pendulum Stretch
For this stretch, start by relaxing your shoulders. Next, lean slightly forward with your upper torso and allow your frozen-shoulder arm to hang loose like a pendulum in front of you. Steady your pose with your feet while swinging this arm gently in small circle movements, while the arm and hand hangs loose, like a pendulum. Do 10 rotations in one direction then 10 in the opposite direction.
You can do this once per day and, as you gain strength over time, gradually expand the size of the circles to be slightly larger each time, as you feel more comfortable to do so.
Cross-body Reach
While sitting or standing, use your good arm to lift your affected arm from underneath the elbow and bring it across your body, near the top of your good arm. Hold it there and allow yourself to feel the stretch as you do this. Maintain this position for about 15 to 20 seconds before releasing.
Continue repeating this stretch throughout the day. You can do this 10-20 times a day for some extra pain relief over time.
The Armpit Stretch
For this stretch you will need a counter or shelf that is about breast-height. Stand in front of the counter or shelf and rest three quarters of your SIRVA arm on the surface, straight out in front of you. Then, gently bend your knees to dip your body a bit and create a natural stretch of the armpit, then slowly straighten back up.
Do this armpit stretch 10-20 times per day to help open your stiff shoulder and gradually increase your range of motion.
Towel Stretch
For this stretch you will need a towel close to 3 feet in length. Roll the towel lengthwise and, using the good arm, hold the towel over your head and behind your back as if you are going to dry your back, arms bent at the elbows. With the sore arm behind your back, grab the bottom of the rolled towel. Keep this grasp of the towel with both hands in this position. Then, use the good arm to pull slowly upward straight above your head, letting the sore arm stretch behind your back with the upward movement.
Perform this towel stretch 10-20 times a day.
Finger Walk Stretch
Face an open wall while standing at a distance about three quarters of an arm’s length away from the wall. With your frozen-shoulder arm, reach straight out at waist level, with your elbow slightly bent, extend your index and middle fingers and reach to touch these fingertips to the wall. Now slowly “walk” your fingers up the wall allowing your finger-walking to provide a gentle stretch on the inside of your arm as it raises. When you get to either shoulder level, or another level that is more comfortable for you, stop, lower the arm and repeat. You may use your good arm to assist in lowering your sore arm, if needed.
Give this one a try between 10-20 times a day.
Did You Know You Compensation Is Possible?
Did you know that your SIRVA condition may qualify you to receive financial compensation through a special, vaccine injury compensation program? Attorneys with our law firm specialize in submitting petitions of qualified candidates for the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP), a program that involves the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the U.S. Department of Justice, and the U.S. Court of Federal Claims as part of the adjudication process. Many people, however, don’t even know that this program exists! Click this link today to tell us about your SIRVA experience and find out if your vaccine injury circumstances might qualify for this financial compensation program, at no cost to you.
Sources:
https://www.health.harvard.edu/pain/how-to-release-a-frozen-shoulder
https://health.clevelandclinic.org/frozen-shoulder-exercises
https://natural-homeremedies.com/natural-cures-for-frozen-shoulder/
https://www.thephysiotherapyplace.com/news-feed/2020/1/30/3-stretches-for-frozen-shoulder
