Frozen Shoulder Physiotherapy Management

How Frozen Shoulder Develops

Frozen shoulder is a painful condition characterized by a reduction in mobility, accompanied by swelling, stiffness, and warmth. The frozen shoulder symptoms are often mild to moderate, but they may become serious if the condition is not relieved in time. Frozen shoulder usually develops slowly and in at least three stages. Each stage may last several months to years.

At the first sign of a frozen shoulder, your doctor may suggest physiotherapy, anti-inflammatory medications, and a course of therapeutic exercise.

Our physiotherapist (BestPhysiotherapyZ) will also recommend exercise programs for you to follow at home. These should be done regularly to achieve the most significant improvement in your condition. You will probably want to avoid arm exercises in the earliest stages of frozen shoulder, such as workouts using your triceps and biceps, because they increase the arm’s swelling.

Our physiotherapist (BestPhysiotherapyZ) will help you learn how to perform them properly and make recommendations about additional exercises to prevent further injury or worsen the condition.

In the later stages of frozen shoulder, most of the symptoms will have abated, and you will probably be able to resume normal activities. However, you will probably be in pain, especially during exercise. As the condition worsens, stiffness and loss of movement may occur, lasting stiffness for months, even years. It can interfere with your work and daily living activities, as well as your enjoyment of your life. The frozen shoulder does not only affect your ability to carry out your daily activities; it can prevent you from doing them altogether. A physical therapist can advise you on how best to cope with this disabling condition.

Injecting corticosteroids into the shoulder joint can help reduce pain and improve shoulder mobility, especially in the early stages of the process. If your stiff shoulder pain is severe and does not improve after other treatments, your doctor may give you joint steroid injections.