THE BIG FREEZE

Frozen Shoulder Syndrome is an extremely painful and debilitating condition characterized by pain and stiffness of the shoulder. It lasts for an average of 30 months. Up to this point no treatment for the Frozen Shoulder (including injections and surgery) has proved consistently successful. Now there is a proven, drug-free program that works in months not years. Osteopath Simeon Niel-Asher is affectionately known as "Dr Defrost" by growing numbers of patients who seek his help in easing the excruciating pain of a "frozen shoulder". Celebrities such as singer George Michael, Ali G - Aka Sacha Baron-Cohen (Comedian) and Eddie Izzard have all been patients of Simeon Niel-Asher.

The north London osteopath has pioneered a new technique that involves gradually stretching and applying pressure to tissues around the stiffened shoulder joint. For many of his patients, the technique speeds recovery, succeeding when all else, including steroid injections, physiotherapy, acupuncture and even surgery has failed. About eight sessions over eight to 12 weeks are required. The start of Frozen Shoulder can be deceptive, a minor twinge or nagging pain might suggest you have slept awkwardly. People assume it will wear off, as the pain increases, one becomes stiffer and the range of movement diminishes. Before long, the shoulder seizes up and you are 'frozen'. In this case, the condition can be so debilitating that sufferers cannot walk, stand, sit, lift anything or even wash, without shuddering spasms of pain.

Traditional treatment approaches have failed. For many, the idea of painful injections or surgery is unacceptable, especially as all the evidence to date points to the fact that 'Intra-articular cortizone injections may reduce pain or increase mobility briefly, but can cause serious unwanted effects. Neither manipulation under anesthesia (which risks significant injury) nor surgery has any clear place in management' (UK Drugs & Therapeutic Bulletin Nov. 2000) The Niel-Asher technique™ is hands-on. It is a 'natural' method tapping in to the bodies own healing mechanisms. No drugs, No surgery. It utilizes a specific sequence of manipulations to the shoulder joint and its soft-tissues. This sequence is like a recipe, it is basically similar for all cases, but varies according to the presenting symptom areas, and may vary during the course of treatment. It differs from traditional physical therapy because it does not force the arm into painful or extreme positions; instead a unique sequence of pressure points in the soft tissues around the joint, along with gentle joint movements.

In a hospital study (2002) it was found to be effective 'over and above' traditional physical therapy for increasing (active) range of motion, decreasing pain and improving strength and power when compared to placebo. This technique 'fools' the body/brain into healing itself by addressing the two main components of the problem - pain and stiffness. Initially the technique aims to significantly reduce the pain, by treating the swelling around various shoulder tendons (especially the biceps tendon). Following this, the technique moves on to rapidly defrost and improve the range of shoulder motion by stimulating a unique sequence of reflexes hidden within the muscles. This works on the parts of the brain that co-ordinate the shoulder muscles. It uses a unique sequence of reflexes. One reflex is triggered against another in a choreographed sequence. One does not force the arm; instead it is kept still while a practitioner applies the pressure. Patients treated with this technique should see a tangible improvement with each treatment session.


EVIDENCE- A Randomized Placebo Controlled Trial
This type of trial is the 'gold standard' for research. It is extremely strong and clear evidence. Simeon Niel Asher’s trial was undertaken in association with the Rheumatology Research Unit, Addenbrokes Hospital (the teaching hospital for Cambridge - UK). It involved 3 groups of patients each treated with a different approach; the Niel-Asher Technique™, standard physiotherapy and a specially designed hands-on placebo treatment. The results were extremely encouraging and have been published in the British Journal of Rheumatology Volume 42, Supplement 1, 2003, Article 418 BHPR p.146. The results were also presented to The 1st international Anglo-French society of Rheumatologists 2003 and the International Conference for advancing Osteopathic research 2003.

STUDY CONCLUSIONS
The Niel-Asher Technique™ demonstrated a significant improvement in active range of movement, and strength and power over and above traditional physiotherapy treatment, in an outpatient hospital setting. Patients treated with the Niel-Asher Technique™ also showed the largest clinical improvement in shoulder pain and disability. Results explained In this clinical trial the Niel-Asher Technique™ was compared to standard physiotherapy (with exercise) and a placebo (or dummy) treatment. The two main outcome measures were improvement in active range of motion (i.e. lifting the arm higher without help) and pain (measured on various pain scales especially the well used and reliable Shoulder Pain and Disability Index - SPADI questionnaire) - since these are the most common components of Frozen Shoulder Syndrome.

Why a shoulder locks is not clear. Sometimes, it follows an injury or repetitive exercise. More women than men are affected. Mostly, one shoulder seizes up, but two can be affected. Often, just as one shoulder begins to get better, the other can go. The shoulder is a complex structure that interconnects with other bones and muscle tendons - think of the movements involved in reaching for a wallet in a back trouser pocket. All joints are bathed in a capsule or sack of lubricating fluid and, at rest, the shoulder fluid settles in the armpit. At the start of the freezing process, it seems that inflamed cells move into the capsule. Gradually, these cause obstructions that stick together, making it difficult to move.

Mr. Niel-Asher is training other Doctors, Physical Therapists and Chiropractors but it is a slow process, so he has also published a home self-help program, called Treat Your Own Frozen Shoulder, in which he describes basic techniques that can be carried out at home. There are also exercises designed to strengthen wasted muscle and to speed recovery, which could also help relieve general shoulder aches and tension pains.


For those who cannot travel to a clinic providing this treatment an at home healing program is available for people worldwide which includes:

• 'Treat Your Own Frozen Shoulder" Book
• 'Treat Your Own Frozen Shoulder" DVD
• 'Treat Your Own Frozen Shoulder Exercise Booklet' - Exercise Book and Exercise Band
Available for $99.00 at www.frozenshoulder.com

About Simeon Niel Asher
Qualified with a BSc (Ost) from The British School of Osteopathy in 1992. He later obtained a BPhil in Comp Health Studies at the University of Exeter 1995. He has been a Clinical tutor at the COET and has been involved in lecturing, writing, research and promoting Osteopathy worldwide. Mr. Niel-Asher is a visiting lecturer to several colleges in the UK, Europe and Israel. At his London Frozen Shoulder Clinic in Great Britain he has successfully treated several hundred cases of Frozen Shoulder.