How Physiotherapy Can Help In Frozen Shoulder Injury

Posted by delhiphysiocare on April 10th, 2021

Adhesive capsulitis, also known as a rigid or "frozen back," affects between 2% to 5% of the American population. It is more common in women than in men, and it is more often diagnosed in people over the age of 45. It is estimated that 20 percent to 30 percent of people who have adhesive capsulitis in one shoulder will develop it in the other. 

Physiotherapists assist people with adhesive capsulitis in reducing discomfort and stiffness, as well as restoring shoulder mobility most safely and efficiently possible.

Physical therapists are professionals who use hands-on care, patient education, and prescribed movement to improve people's quality of life. For an assessment, you should contact a physiotherapy clinic near you.

What is Frozen Shoulder (Adhesive Capsulitis)?

Adhesive capsulitis is a scar tissue-induced stiffening of the shoulder that causes discomfort and loss of motion. The exact cause of adhesive capsulitis is a point of contention. Some say it's triggered by inflammation, such as when the lining of a joint becomes inflamed (synovitis), or autoimmune reactions, in which the body attacks its own substances and tissues. 

Other factors to consider are:

• After an accident or surgery, how do people react?
• Other conditions that have caused a person to avoid moving their shoulders, such as arthritis, a rotator cuff tear, bursitis, or tendinitis
• After surgery or a fracture, immobilization of the limb, such as in a sling, is recommended.

Adhesive capsulitis, on the other hand, often occurs for no apparent cause.

How Can a Physical Therapist Help?

The ultimate aim of your physical therapy is to recover your movement so that you can go about your everyday activities. Your physical therapist will develop an individualized workout schedule tailored to your personal needs after the assessment process has determined the stage of your condition. For those in stage 2 or higher, exercise has been shown to be the most successful. Your care can include the following:

Stages 1 and 2

Exercises and manual therapy. Your physical therapist will assist you in maintaining as much range of motion as possible while also assisting you in reducing discomfort. To keep shoulder movement, your therapist can use a combination of range-of-motion exercises and manual therapy (hands-on) techniques.

Modalities. Prior to other types of treatment, the physical therapist can use heat and ice treatments (modalities) to help relax the muscles.

Home-exercise program. Your physical therapist will prescribe a gentle home exercise regimen to help you regain mobility. Your therapist will warn you that stretching too aggressively at this point can aggravate your shoulder pain.

Your physical therapist will tailor your recovery activities and intensity to your specific symptoms, as well as teach you how to use the affected arm properly. Your therapist will keep a close eye on your progress to ensure a healthy healing process.

Pain medication. Adhesive capsulitis pain can often be unbearable through conservative treatment. In that case, your physical therapist can recommend that you get an injection of a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory and pain reliever. While these injections do not have long-term benefits for a range of motion or reduce the length of the disease, research has shown that they do provide short-term pain relief.

Stage 3

During phase 3, the focus of treatment is on restoring motion. The following treatments can be used:

Stretching techniques. To promote more movement and flexibility, your physical therapist can use more intense stretching techniques.

Manual therapy. Your physical therapist should increase the intensity of your manual therapy to encourage the muscles and tissues to loosen up.

Strengthening exercises. You should start strengthening exercises that target your shoulder and core muscles. These exercises will be added to your home exercise routine.

Stage 4

Your physical therapist will concentrate on the return to "natural" shoulder body mechanics and the return to normal, pain-free activities in the final stage. Your care can include the following:

Stretching techniques. This stage's stretching exercises will be similar to those you've already mastered, but they'll concentrate on the particular directions and positions that are restricted for you.

Manual therapy. Manual therapy exercises can be used by your physical therapist in very particular positions and ranges that are problematic for you. They'll concentrate on removing the last of your limitations.

Strength training. Your physical therapist will recommend unique strengthening exercises to help you perform work or leisure activities that are linked to any weaknesses you might have.

Return to work or sport. Your physical therapist will work with you on the exercises and activities that you need to do in your everyday and leisure lives.