Frozen shoulder Physiotherapy

Frozen shoulder also called as adhesive capsulitis or periarthritis is characterized by the development of dense adhesions, capsular thickening and capsular restrictions, especially in the capsule. The onset is insidious and usually occurs between the ages of 40 and 60 years. 

Clinical signs and symptoms       

Acute Phase: Pain and muscle guarding limit motion, usually external rotation and abduction. Patients experience pain radiating down the elbow and may disturb sleep. Joint swelling is not detected owing to the depth of the Capsule, although tenderness can be found by palpating the shoulder anteriorly and posteriorly.

Subacute phase: Capsule tightness begins to develop. Limited motion takes place, consistent with capsular pattern (external rotation and abduction are most Limited and internal rotation and flexion are least Limited). Often, the patient feels pain as the end of the Limited range is reached. Joint play testing reveals Limited joint Mobility. Once the treatment starts, the acute condition begins to subside. This happens with shoulder motion gradually increasing. Subsequently, the complication of the joint and soft tissue contractures also reduces.

Chronic phase: Progressive restriction of the shoulder shows signs of extreme limited motion in a capsular pattern and decreased joint play. There is significant loss of function with an inability to reach overhead, outward, or behind the back. Paul will be present in Deltoid region.

Common Impairments and functional Limitations

• Night pain and Disturbed sleep during acute flare up. Pain on motion and often on rest during acute stage.
• Decreased range of motion usually limiting external rotation and abduction.
• Faulty postures compensations and improper posture with protraction and anteriorly tipped scapula, rounded shoulders and elevated and protected shoulder.
• General muscle weakness and poor endurance in the shoulder muscles with overuse of the scapular muscles leading to pain in the trapezius and the neck muscles.
• The common functional limitation is the inability to reach over head behind the head, out to the side, and behind back; thus, having difficulty dressing (such as putting a jacket or coat, reaching hand into the back pocket of the pants, reaching out a car window, self grooming or even bringing eating utensils to the mouth.
• Difficulty lifting heavy objects, such as dishes or cupboard.
•  Inability to perform and sustain repetitive movements.

Management of frozen shoulder:

This condition can have a significant impact on the quality-of-life with long period of pain and treatment. It can usually take up to six months to one year depending on the severity of the condition.

Control pain, swelling and muscle guarding.

The Passive and active range of motion to decrease pain and improve joint mobility followed by Gentle light mobilization of the shoulder joint. Joint pendulum exercises as they have the effects of gravity to distract the humerus and helps decrease the pain. Gentle traction and oscillating  movements helps to decrease the pain. Self mobilization techniques may be used for home care.

Posture correction is another very important thing. Your physiotherapist may teach you to how to prevent frozen shoulder. Scapular movements are very important in maintaining the proper function of the shoulder.  

Improving the muscle performance

The physiotherapist provides exercises to correct the muscle imbalance, stabilization, flexibility, strengthening exercises for the shoulder girdle and teaching the patient how to activate the weak muscle and progress to strengthening functional pattern of motion. The practitioner may use early scapular stability exercises and closed chain rotator cuff exercises. As the patient’s symptoms improve, practitions prescribe active-assisted and active ROM activities, along with open chain and proprioceptive exercises. A closed chain stabilization exercise is performed alternating isometric resistance or rhythmic stabilization. Stretching exercises to restore the joint range and increase mobility of shoulder girdle and upper trunk.    

Shockwave therapy is also very effective and has shown proven results for treating this condition. Therefore, the use of noninvasive and safe techniques that can speed up the healing process of the disease is important. Ultrasound therapy and laser therapy have also some proven evidences off its effectiveness. Shockwave Physiotherapy is quite popular among all other treament methods.

Occasionally, in case of no progress, your doctor may choose to perform a manipulation under anaesthesia or use Cortisone Injection which is often to decrease pain and increase tolerance to exercises and stretches.

Frozen Shoulder Exercises at Curezone Physiotherapy:

Are you looking for the best exercises for frozen shoulder? Interested in frozen shoulder remedies? Trying various available options for pain relief for frozen shoulder? Or wondering the approach adopted by your expert therapists at Curezone Physiotherapy to bring about the remedy for frozen shoulder? Perhaps you are looking for the exercises to prevent frozen shoulder! Or perhaps trying to fix frozen shoulder yourself!

Have you specifically been experiencing frozen shoulder arm pain? Or frozen shoulder blade pain? Leave your pain with us, the frozen shoulder rehab experts.

The Frozen Shoulder Physiotherapy approach at Curezone Physiotherapy includes a combination of frozen shoulder therapy at the clinic, use of frozen shoulder brace, and frozen shoulder treatment exercises. If you are looking for the best exercise for frozen shoulder, frozen shoulder home treatment options, home remedies for frozen shoulder, or simply wondering about how to treat frozen shoulder, look no further! We aim to be YOUR best physiotherapist in Mississauga and Oakville areas, and are here and ready to teach you how to get rid of frozen shoulder.

We welcome you to call us and let one of our frozen shoulder expert physiotherapists walk you through how to treat frozen shoulder and bring you cure for frozen shoulder pain.

Physical Therapy for Frozen Shoulder, Mississauga:

Physiotherapy Clinic Mississauga – Curezone Physiotherapy, Heartland Mississauga.

Physiotherapy Clinic Erin Mills – Curezone Physiotherapy, Erin Mills Mississauga.

Physical Therapy for Frozen Shoulder, Oakville:

Physiotherapy Clinic Oakville – Curezone Physiotherapy, Burloak Oakville.