What is Frozen Shoulder Physiotherapy Treatment?

Definition of Frozen Shoulder

Adhesive capsulitis, also known as frozen shoulder, is a medical condition that restricts movement, causes stiffness, and results in pain in the shoulder joints. It predominantly affects adults over 40 and progresses gradually over time. Frozen shoulder treatment is essential to managing the symptoms. It involves a combination of physiotherapy, anti-inflammatory medications, and sometimes steroid injections or surgical intervention to regain normal joint function.

Symptoms of Frozen Shoulder

Common symptoms of a frozen shoulder include pain and stiffness in the shoulder joint, difficulty moving the shoulder in rotation, and a decreased range of motion. Pain may worsen when lying down, at night, or if movement is attempted.

Types of Physiotherapy Treatments

There are different types of physiotherapy treatments, including:

1. Range of Motion Exercises
Range-of-motion exercises are great for treating chronic conditions like frozen shoulders. They help to improve flexibility, reduce pain, and increase mobility in affected joints. Examples of range-of-motion exercises include pendulum swings, stretching, and specific frozen shoulder exercises. These may include gentle shoulder movements such as shrugs, arm circles, and abduction and adduction exercises.

2. Stretching and Strengthening Exercises
Stretching and strengthening exercises are important for maintaining mobility, flexibility, and strength. They can help reduce the risk of injury and improve posture, breathing, circulation, and balance.

3. Joint Mobilisation Techniques
Joint mobilisation techniques are great for restoring joint mobility and reducing pain. They involve gently manipulating the affected joint to reduce stiffness and build strength, helping to improve the range of motion and flexibility.  

4. Soft Tissue Release Techniques
Soft tissue release (STR) is a manual therapy technique for treating soft tissue injuries. It involves combining massage and stretching techniques to improve mobility and reduce pain. Here are a few common soft tissue release techniques:

• Active Release Technique (ART): The therapist uses their hands to apply pressure and manipulate injured muscles, tendons, and ligaments. Stretching and range of motion exercises may also be incorporated to help release tension.

• Myofascial Release: This technique targets the fascia, the thin tissue layer covering muscles and organs. The therapist will use their hands to apply sustained pressure to release tension in the fascia.

• Trigger Point Therapy: This technique focuses on trigger points, or small, localised areas of muscle tension that can cause pain. Pressure is applied to the trigger point to reduce tension and improve mobility.

• Graston Technique: This technique uses special tools to pressure and massage injured soft tissue. The tools can help locate and break up adhesions and scar tissue, leading to an improved range of motion and reduced pain.

5. Heat and Cold Therapy
When you’ve got a blazing ache, use a heat pack to loosen up tense muscles. But if swelling or inflammation occurs, try cold therapy like an ice pack. It works wonders for frozen shoulders. And if you’re hurting, call our expert physiotherapist, who can advise you on using these techniques correctly to ease your pain.

6. Electrical Stimulation
It’s a way to use electrical currents to activate your muscles, which helps with pain relief. It’s pretty common in physiotherapy exercises for shoulder pain. The idea is that the stimulus can strengthen weak muscles and help increase blood flow to the area. Plus, it feels kind of tingly and cool.

Conclusion

So, to wrap this up, it’s safe to say that finding the right shoulder pain treatment can be a real challenge. So many options, from physical therapy to medication to surgery, can be overwhelming. But don’t give up hope! Call our experts and our trained physical therapists, and you can find the best treatment for you and return to feeling like yourself again.

If you want to know more, feel free to get in touch with us by calling 0208 3686767 or emailing us at info@southgatephysio.co.uk

Physiotherapy Services We Offer

Our clinic offers a wide range of treatments that are all recommended and tailored to everyone who comes and visits us. Our range of treatments complements the body and mind, helping to keep you pain and injury-free, delivering preventative measures to maintain your well-being and enhance your performance levels.

Our main aim is to restore your personal well-being so you can enjoy an active, healthy, and pain-free life. Click on any of the services to find out a little more about each treatment and understand if it might be right for you.

• Home Visit Physiotherapy
• Sports Injury Rehabilitation
• Musculoskeletal Injuries Treatment
• Pain Management
• Pilates
• Acupuncture
• Shockwave Therapy
• Theraflex
• Pre and Post Operative Rehabilitation
• Elderly Rehabilitation
• Sports Massage
• Online Video Consultation
• Sports Physiotherapy