Zap #2 - Tap Zap

A Zap occurs when you automatically rip your arm in one direction or other because of something you didn't expect.  The high-speed arm yanking manoeuvre causes sudden, severe pain.

Frozen Shoulder has revealed to me surprising opportunities for creative new ways to trigger the Zap. Here's one I'd never have thought of.

The other day I was in the kitchen; arm very sensitive so I asked handy stray person nearby to pull my polyester jacket over my head. Great plan, but also had the effect of charging me up with several thousand volts of static electricity. Next, I reach out and touch the tap.  ZAP goes a great bolt of electricity from my right hand to the tap, YANK goes my arm, and YIKES goes my yell. Followed by a florid stream of colourful words I won't repeat here.

The immediate effect is of course several minutes of woeful moaning and groaning, and the horrified looks on everybody's faces.

The longer term effect is perhaps more serious. It means you begin consciously and unconsciously protecting your arm. You begin holding your arm in close to your body to reduce the possibility of future Zaps. You restrict shoulder movement, and thereby maybe worsen the freezing effect.

One symptom of Frozen Shoulder is the loss of fluid in the joint. This increases inflammation, joint lining damage, and subsequent scaring.

Now I'm actively trying to ensure I use my arm instead of leaving it permanently pinned to my side.
And while doing that I'm now doubly careful when taking off polyester clothing.

More Zap stories to come.

Ways to Get Zapped #1

This is the first of an occasional series on how to zap your frozen arm. The zap is triggered by something you don't expect. Something that startles you, and by reflex you whip your arm in one direction or another.

The result is jarring, searing pain that lasts about 5 minutes. Your arm does not like being jerked like this. Not recommended.

Zap #1  The Bouncy Dog
Occurs when you decide to lie on the loungeroom floor to do some exercises, and excitable puppy thinks it'd be fun to jump on your face. Without thinking you yank your injured arm up to protect yourself. Rusty knife jabs let you know immediately this was a bad idea.