How Physiotherapy Can Help Treat a Frozen Shoulder

Are you currently suffering from a frozen shoulder? In this blog, we are going to look at how physiotherapy can help.

What is a Frozen Shoulder?

This condition is caused by an inflammation of the capsule that surrounds the shoulder joint. This can cause stiffness and discomfort. It can also limit your range of motions. There are typically three stages to this condition. 

The first stage is the freezing stage. Common symptoms include pain, stiffness, and difficulty to move the shoulder. The next stage is the frozen stage. While the initial pain may diminish, you may still experience stiffness and restricted movement. The final stage is the thawing stage, whereby the pain continues to decrease, and you start to regain your normal range of movement.

What Causes a Frozen Shoulder?

While it can be hard to pinpoint the exact cause of a frozen shoulder, certain factors are known to increase a person’s chances of developing this condition. These include certain medical conditions, such as diabetes, thyroid disease, or even a stroke, as well as your age and amount physical activity. Indeed, people above the age of 40 and those who tend to have sedentary lifestyles are more likely to develop a frozen shoulder. You may also be prone to developing this condition if you’ve undergone shoulder surgery or sustained an injury in that area in the past.

Using Physiotherapy for the Treatment of a Frozen Shoulder

Physiotherapy can be highly useful for patients suffering from a frozen shoulder. By booking an appointment with a physiotherapist, you will be able to benefit from a personalized treatment plan that will address the underlying causes of your frozen shoulder and provide appropriate solutions. Your treatment plan will typically consist of the following:

• Pain management techniques – These techniques can help alleviate pain and inflammation in the affected area of your shoulder. Common methods include heat therapy, ice therapy, and electrical stimulation.
• Manual therapy – This includes methods such as joint mobilization and soft tissue release to reduce stiffness and improve the patient’s range of motion.
• Exercises – Your physiotherapist will first evaluate your condition before prescribing a personalized exercise program. The aim of those exercises is to build up your strength and enhance your mobility.  

Examples of Exercises That Your Physiotherapist May Prescribe

Here are some of the most common types of exercises that your physiotherapist may recommend for the treatment of a frozen shoulder:

• Active range of motion exercises – During these exercises, you will be asked to use the hand on the unaffected side of your body to gently move your frozen shoulder in circular movements.
• Passive range of motion exercises – These exercises are used to improve flexibility. They consist of moving the affected shoulder past its limited range of motion. They are normally carried out with the assistance of your physiotherapist.
• Relaxed passive mobilization exercises – These exercises help alleviate stiffness in the affected shoulder. You will first need to relax your body. Then, using gentle movements, you will be asked to move the shoulder joint.

Book an Appointment with a Physiotherapist for your Shoulder 

Are you currently suffering from a frozen shoulder? Here at Back in Motion Health, we provide personalized physiotherapy treatment plans tailored to each patient. Book an appointment at one of our physiotherapy clinics serving Vancouver, North Vancouver, Coquitlam, Surrey, Richmond, Abbotsford and London.

Hiral, a physiotherapist since 2008, specializes in injury prevention, manual therapy, and exercise rehabilitation. She uses IMS/dry needling for muscle pain and has experience with orthopedic, sports, neurological injuries, and concussion management. Hiral is also trained in vestibular rehabilitation for vertigo.

Book online with Hiral in Coquitlam.