Using Physiotherapy to Fix Your Frozen Shoulder

Adhesive Capsulitis, better known as a frozen shoulder can leave you suffering from stiffness, chronic pain, and reduction in movement of the affected shoulder. It is commonly seen in women over the age of 40, athletes, or patients who have suffered from long-term nutritional deficiencies. Of all of your body parts, your shoulders are the most vital and offer the largest degree of flexible motion. When your shoulders are racked with pain or if the joints are stiff, it can negatively affect your lifestyle or even prevent you from living your life normally. Anytime you face a shoulder injury, or if you experience prolonged pain or stiffness in your shoulders, it’s important to seek help from a chiropractor or a certified physiotherapist. A family chiropractic professional can help provide a comprehensive menu of chiropractic adjustments and other rehabilitative services tailored to patients’ individual needs.

Common Causes of Frozen Shoulder

Frozen shoulder often develops after a traumatic joint injury, such as bursitis of the rotator cuff or tendinitis. Also, almost a quarter of diabetic patients will develop frozen shoulder, but there is actually no specific cause for frozen shoulder.

Shoulder immobility most often will result in a patient contracting Adhesive Capsulitis. When your shoulder is unmovable the tissues surrounding the joint starts to get stiff, which can be painful over time. Most patients try to avoid the pain by further limiting the movement in the shoulder, which leads to the formation of adhesions surround the Glenohumeral and Humerus joint. One approach to manage the pain associated with Adhesive Capsulitis is photobiomodulation therapy, which employs light therapy to help alleviate discomfort and enhance mobility.

Physiotherapy for Shoulder Pain

There are three stages to the development of frozen shoulder, when you visit one of our physical therapists here at Pro Motion Healthcare for treatment, your condition will be evaluated to determine exactly what stage you are in. The course of treatment will depend on how far along your ailment has progressed. The stages of a frozen shoulder are:

• Initial Freezing – This beginning stage is marked by persistent pain and lack of mobility in the joint.
• Frozen Shoulder – This is the advanced part of the ailment where the pain has lessened, but the shoulders range of motion is highly limited or nonexistent.
• Thawing Shoulder – At this point, the shoulder has started healing where the motion has returned but the muscles of the shoulder have weakened due to lack of use.

How Physiotherapy Can Help

Physiotherapy provided by our skilled therapists will help ease the pain associated with each stage of recovery from your frozen shoulder. It also ensures that you get the proper help restoring strength to your shoulder muscles. Our physical therapists employ various techniques during each treatment session based on the needs of each individual patient. Some of our sessions may include dry needling, massage therapy or acupuncture to relieve pain and restore muscle strength. We will also work with you on various muscle release techniques and shoulder joint mobilization exercises that help restore your shoulder to its maximum range of motion.

Aside from rehab, we will work with you on your balance and alignment as well as providing you with information on activities to avoid preventing further injury to your shoulder. If you are suffering from chronic shoulder pain, frozen shoulder, or have been injured in this area, call Pro Motion Healthcare today at 705-315-0111 to schedule an appointment with one of our skilled physiotherapist.