Frozen shoulder, medically known as adhesive capsulitis, is a condition that affects the shoulder joint, causing stiffness and pain. This limitation in mobility can significantly impact one’s daily life, making even simple tasks challenging.
However, Physiotherapy is a proven treatment option to help those suffering from frozen shoulder.
In this blog post, we’ll take a deeper look at this condition – what it is and the causes. We shall also understand who is generally at risk and what are the symptoms to watch out for. We’ll also discuss how Physiotherapy can be an effective treatment approach for managing and improving mobility of frozen shoulder.
Understanding Frozen Shoulder:
Frozen shoulder causes stiffness and reduced range of motion in the shoulder joint. It is difficult and painful to carry out simple everyday activities like brushing your hair or reaching up into a cupboard. Some of the most common symptoms are stiffness and pain in the shoulder, difficulty moving the arm, or sleep disruptions from shoulder discomfort. It often starts gradually and gets worse over time.
It typically can be divided into three stages: freezing, frozen, and thawing.
Freezing Stage: During this stage, individuals experience increasing shoulder pain and stiffness, making movement difficult.
Frozen Stage: In the frozen stage, the pain may decrease slightly, but the shoulder becomes extremely stiff, limiting mobility even further.
Thawing Stage: Finally, in the thawing stage, shoulder movement slowly begins to improve, and the pain subsides.
Symptoms of frozen shoulder may include:
Pain and stiffness in the shoulder joint – In the frozen shoulder condition, the shoulder joint develops worsening pain and stiffness. Everyday movements and tasks become a challenge.
Difficulty reaching overhead or behind the back – With frozen shoulder, a person has difficulty moving the arm overhead or behind the back. Simple movements like brushing hair or tucking in a shirt become painful.
Limited range of motion – Frozen shoulder significantly limits the range of motion in the affected shoulder joint. Movements in all directions, including lifting, rotating, and reaching, are restricted.
Pain worsens at night – Discomfort due to frozen shoulder becomes markedly pronounced at night and can disrupt sleep or make it difficult to find a comfortable sleeping position. The pain and stiffness of frozen shoulder can make it very difficult to sleep comfortably on the affected side.
Treatment Options with Physiotherapy:
Physiotherapy plays a crucial role in the management and treatment of frozen shoulder. A physiotherapist will assess the individual’s condition and develop a personalized treatment plan tailored to their specific needs. Here are some common physiotherapy techniques used in the treatment of frozen shoulder:
Range of Motion Exercises:
Gentle stretching and range of motion exercises help improve flexibility and mobility in the shoulder joint. These exercises aim to gradually increase the range of motion while minimizing pain.
Strengthening Exercises:
Strengthening the muscles surrounding the shoulder joint can help improve stability and support, reducing the risk of further complications. Physiotherapists may prescribe exercises using resistance bands, weights, or bodyweight to target specific muscle groups.
Manual Therapy:
Hands-on techniques such as massage, joint mobilization, and manipulation can help reduce pain and improve joint mobility. Manual therapy techniques are performed by trained physiotherapists and can provide immediate relief for frozen shoulder symptoms.
Modalities:
Physiotherapy modalities such as heat therapy, cold therapy, ultrasound, and electrical stimulation may be used to alleviate pain, reduce inflammation, and promote healing in the shoulder joint.
Education and Home Exercise Program:
A physiotherapist will educate the individual about their condition and provide guidance on posture, ergonomic modifications, and self-care strategies to manage symptoms effectively. Additionally, they will prescribe a home exercise program to complement in-clinic treatment and promote long-term recovery.
Conclusion:
Frozen shoulder severely restricts one’s daily life. Starting from inability to perform simple tasks to searing pain in the shoulders at all times; frozen shoulder cripples movement and impacts the quality of life. It disrupts both sleep and work.
Physiotherapy is a time-tested treatment method that addresses the underlying causes, not just symptoms of Frozen Shoulder. With the right exercises and techniques, Physiotherapists can restore mobility and improve shoulder function, reducing pain in frozen shoulder.
The skilled and highly trained Physiotherapist team at SwaHealth Physiotherapy Clinic is just a call away to help you Recover from painful frozen shoulders.
Book Your Appointment and regain movement.
To get Directions (click here)
Frozen shoulder, medically known as adhesive capsulitis, is a condition that affects the shoulder joint, causing stiffness and pain. This limitation in mobility can significantly impact one’s daily life, making even simple tasks challenging.
However, Physiotherapy is a proven treatment option to help those suffering from frozen shoulder.
In this blog post, we’ll take a deeper look at this condition – what it is and the causes. We shall also understand who is generally at risk and what are the symptoms to watch out for. We’ll also discuss how Physiotherapy can be an effective treatment approach for managing and improving mobility of frozen shoulder.
Understanding Frozen Shoulder:
Frozen shoulder causes stiffness and reduced range of motion in the shoulder joint. It is difficult and painful to carry out simple everyday activities like brushing your hair or reaching up into a cupboard. Some of the most common symptoms are stiffness and pain in the shoulder, difficulty moving the arm, or sleep disruptions from shoulder discomfort. It often starts gradually and gets worse over time.
It typically can be divided into three stages: freezing, frozen, and thawing.
Freezing Stage: During this stage, individuals experience increasing shoulder pain and stiffness, making movement difficult.
Frozen Stage: In the frozen stage, the pain may decrease slightly, but the shoulder becomes extremely stiff, limiting mobility even further.
Thawing Stage: Finally, in the thawing stage, shoulder movement slowly begins to improve, and the pain subsides.
Symptoms of frozen shoulder may include:
Pain and stiffness in the shoulder joint – In the frozen shoulder condition, the shoulder joint develops worsening pain and stiffness. Everyday movements and tasks become a challenge.
Difficulty reaching overhead or behind the back – With frozen shoulder, a person has difficulty moving the arm overhead or behind the back. Simple movements like brushing hair or tucking in a shirt become painful.
Limited range of motion – Frozen shoulder significantly limits the range of motion in the affected shoulder joint. Movements in all directions, including lifting, rotating, and reaching, are restricted.
Pain worsens at night – Discomfort due to frozen shoulder becomes markedly pronounced at night and can disrupt sleep or make it difficult to find a comfortable sleeping position. The pain and stiffness of frozen shoulder can make it very difficult to sleep comfortably on the affected side.
Treatment Options with Physiotherapy:
Physiotherapy plays a crucial role in the management and treatment of frozen shoulder. A physiotherapist will assess the individual’s condition and develop a personalized treatment plan tailored to their specific needs. Here are some common physiotherapy techniques used in the treatment of frozen shoulder:
Range of Motion Exercises:
Gentle stretching and range of motion exercises help improve flexibility and mobility in the shoulder joint. These exercises aim to gradually increase the range of motion while minimizing pain.
Strengthening Exercises:
Strengthening the muscles surrounding the shoulder joint can help improve stability and support, reducing the risk of further complications. Physiotherapists may prescribe exercises using resistance bands, weights, or bodyweight to target specific muscle groups.
Manual Therapy:
Hands-on techniques such as massage, joint mobilization, and manipulation can help reduce pain and improve joint mobility. Manual therapy techniques are performed by trained physiotherapists and can provide immediate relief for frozen shoulder symptoms.
Modalities:
Physiotherapy modalities such as heat therapy, cold therapy, ultrasound, and electrical stimulation may be used to alleviate pain, reduce inflammation, and promote healing in the shoulder joint.
Education and Home Exercise Program:
A physiotherapist will educate the individual about their condition and provide guidance on posture, ergonomic modifications, and self-care strategies to manage symptoms effectively. Additionally, they will prescribe a home exercise program to complement in-clinic treatment and promote long-term recovery.
Conclusion:
Frozen shoulder severely restricts one’s daily life. Starting from inability to perform simple tasks to searing pain in the shoulders at all times; frozen shoulder cripples movement and impacts the quality of life. It disrupts both sleep and work.
Physiotherapy is a time-tested treatment method that addresses the underlying causes, not just symptoms of Frozen Shoulder. With the right exercises and techniques, Physiotherapists can restore mobility and improve shoulder function, reducing pain in frozen shoulder.
The skilled and highly trained Physiotherapist team at SwaHealth Physiotherapy Clinic is just a call away to help you Recover from painful frozen shoulders.
Book Your Appointment and regain movement.
To get Directions (click here)