Frozen Shoulder, also known as Adhesive Capsulitis, is a painful condition that affects the shoulder joint, causing stiffness, pain, and limited range of motion. This condition can be extremely debilitating, making everyday tasks like reaching, lifting, or even dressing difficult and painful. The good news is that physiotherapy can be highly effective in treating frozen shoulder, helping you regain mobility, reduce pain, and improve your quality of life.
At Expert Physiotherapy and Massage Inc., we specialize in providing personalized treatments for frozen shoulder. Our goal is to help you regain full shoulder function and reduce discomfort through evidence-based physiotherapy interventions. In this blog, we will explore what frozen shoulder is, how physiotherapy can help, and the types of treatments we offer at our Calgary clinic.
What is Frozen Shoulder?
Frozen shoulder is a condition in which the shoulder joint becomes stiff and painful, with a reduced range of motion. It typically develops in three phases:
- Freezing Phase: During this phase, pain gradually increases, especially with movement, and the shoulder becomes stiffer. This stage can last anywhere from 6 weeks to 9 months.
- Frozen Phase: The pain may subside, but the stiffness remains. The range of motion is severely limited, and daily activities become difficult.
- Thawing Phase: In this final phase, the shoulder gradually begins to loosen up, and the range of motion improves. This can take several months to a year.
The exact cause of frozen shoulder is not entirely understood, but it is often associated with other conditions such as diabetes, shoulder injury, or prolonged immobilization (e.g., after surgery). Women and individuals between the ages of 40 and 60 are more likely to develop frozen shoulder.
How Physiotherapy Helps in Treating Frozen Shoulder
Physiotherapy is one of the most effective treatments for frozen shoulder. The primary goal of physiotherapy is to reduce pain, improve range of motion, and restore function in the shoulder joint. A physiotherapist will design a personalized treatment plan based on the severity of your condition and your individual needs.
Here’s how physiotherapy can help:
1. Pain Management
Managing pain is the first step in treating frozen shoulder. Physiotherapists use various techniques to reduce inflammation and alleviate discomfort, such as:
- Ice Therapy: Applying cold compresses to the shoulder can help reduce swelling and numb pain, particularly during the early stages of the condition.
- Heat Therapy: Heat can relax the muscles around the shoulder joint and improve blood flow, which can be helpful during the later phases of frozen shoulder.
- TENS (Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation): This technique uses electrical impulses to block pain signals and stimulate the release of endorphins, your body’s natural painkillers.
2. Stretching and Mobility Exercises
Once pain is under control, the next step in treatment is to improve the range of motion of the shoulder joint. Physiotherapists use a combination of gentle stretching exercises and joint mobilizations to gradually increase flexibility and movement.
- Active Range of Motion Exercises: These exercises involve moving the shoulder within a pain-free range, which helps improve flexibility and strength without causing further damage.
- Passive Range of Motion Exercises: For patients who are unable to move their shoulder on their own due to stiffness, the physiotherapist will assist by gently moving the arm to help stretch the joint and improve mobility.
- Stretching Exercises: Specific stretches will target the muscles and tissues surrounding the shoulder, helping to reduce tightness and improve flexibility.
3. Manual Therapy
Manual therapy techniques, such as joint mobilization and soft tissue release, are commonly used by physiotherapists to treat frozen shoulder. These hands-on techniques help:
- Improve joint mobility: Gentle joint mobilization moves the shoulder in specific ways to improve its range of motion.
- Release muscle tension: Soft tissue techniques like myofascial release can help relax tight muscles and fascia around the shoulder, which can reduce pain and improve mobility.
4. Strengthening Exercises
As the range of motion improves, strengthening exercises become an essential part of the recovery process. Physiotherapists will guide you through exercises to strengthen the muscles around the shoulder joint and stabilize the area. Strong muscles help prevent future injuries and maintain long-term shoulder health.
- Rotator cuff strengthening: The rotator cuff muscles play a critical role in stabilizing the shoulder joint. Strengthening these muscles will help improve shoulder function and prevent further stiffness or injury.
- Scapular stabilizing exercises: These exercises target the muscles around the shoulder blade, improving overall shoulder mechanics and reducing the risk of re-injury.
5. Education and Posture Correction
Poor posture or improper movement patterns can contribute to shoulder pain and further restrict mobility. As part of your physiotherapy treatment, your physiotherapist will assess your posture and movement patterns to identify any contributing factors. They will provide recommendations on:
- Correcting posture: Maintaining good posture can reduce stress on the shoulder joint and help prevent additional strain.
- Ergonomics: If your daily activities or job contribute to your frozen shoulder (such as prolonged sitting or desk work), your physiotherapist will advise you on ergonomic adjustments to reduce strain on the shoulder.
- Movement strategies: Learning how to move in ways that protect the shoulder joint can speed up recovery and help prevent future issues.
What to Expect During Your Physiotherapy Sessions
At Expert Physiotherapy and Massage Inc., we provide individualized treatment plans based on your unique condition and goals. Your physiotherapy sessions for frozen shoulder may include:
- Initial Assessment: During your first visit, a physiotherapist will conduct a thorough assessment of your shoulder, including evaluating your range of motion, strength, and pain levels. Based on this assessment, a customized treatment plan will be created.
- Ongoing Monitoring and Progress Evaluation: Throughout your treatment, your physiotherapist will monitor your progress and adjust your treatment plan as necessary to ensure optimal results.
- Home Exercises: In addition to in-clinic treatments, your physiotherapist will provide exercises for you to do at home to complement your sessions and accelerate recovery.
Conclusion: Start Your Journey to Recovery Today
Frozen shoulder can be a challenging condition, but with the right treatment and care, recovery is entirely possible. Physiotherapy plays a crucial role in reducing pain, improving mobility, and helping you regain full function in your shoulder. At Expert Physiotherapy and Massage Inc., we are dedicated to providing comprehensive treatment plans tailored to your specific needs, helping you get back to living a pain-free, active life.
If you are struggling with frozen shoulder or any other shoulder issues, contact us today to book an appointment. Let our expert physiotherapists help you start your journey to recovery!
Call to Action
Don’t let shoulder pain hold you back. Book your consultation with Expert Physiotherapy and Massage Inc. today and take the first step towards regaining full mobility and reducing pain from frozen shoulder.