At The Physio Hub in Collingwood, ON, we frequently see patients dealing with the frustrating and often painful condition known as frozen shoulder, or adhesive capsulitis. Whether you’re an athlete, a weekend warrior, or someone managing other health conditions, frozen shoulder can significantly impact your mobility and quality of life.
But how do you fix a frozen shoulder? And why does it happen in the first place? Let’s explore the answers.
Why Does Frozen Shoulder Occur?
Frozen shoulder, or adhesive capsulitis, happens when the connective tissue around your shoulder joint becomes inflamed, leading to pain and stiffness. Over time, the tissue thickens and tightens, severely limiting the range of motion in the shoulder. This condition can be triggered by factors like injury, post-surgical recovery, or underlying conditions such as diabetes. Inactivity due to injury is one of the common culprits, as lack of movement allows the shoulder capsule to stiffen.
The Four Stages of Frozen Shoulder
Frozen shoulder progresses in four distinct stages:
- Freezing Stage: This is the early stage where pain sets in and gradually worsens. As a result, you start to limit your shoulder movements to avoid pain. This stage can last from six weeks to nine months.
- Frozen Stage: At this stage, pain may reduce, but stiffness is at its peak, severely restricting your shoulder movement. This phase can last anywhere from four to six months, making daily activities challenging.
- Thawing Stage: Gradually, you start regaining your shoulder’s range of motion. This stage can last from six months to two years, but progress is slow.
- Recovery Stage: The final stage where, with proper rehabilitation, shoulder mobility fully returns, and normal function is restored.
How does physiotherapy help a frozen shoulder?
At The Physio Hub, we tailor treatment plans to address each individual’s needs, focusing on restoring mobility and reducing pain. Treatment options include:
- Physiotherapy exercises: Guided exercises help stretch and strengthen the shoulder muscles, promoting mobility and preventing further stiffness.
- Manual therapy: Hands-on techniques performed by our physiotherapists help reduce adhesions and improve joint movement.
- Home exercise programs: We provide clients with customized exercises to be done regularly at home to maintain progress.
What are some tips to help with frozen shoulder?
- Get assessed by a professional: Frozen shoulder is one that patients often self diagnose and get wrong. This means that their self management strategies are not correct, but also it means that they give misinformation to others who do have frozen shoulder and its very different! Get assessed by a professional who is experienced and able to make the diagnosis.
- Appreciate that it takes time: Although there are things that will help a frozen shoulder, and even medical interventions that are being more and more utilised early on (eg hydro dilations and injections); the recovery from frozen shoulder takes time.
- Keep fit and active: Fit and active people feel better and recover faster. Even if the shoulder stops you from doing some activities, there are lots of other options available to keep fit, active and healthy.
- Keep the shoulder moving: Finding ways to keep the shoulder moving in a tolerable way is key to maintaining as much range of movement as possible, as well as increasing your range of movement as the shoulder recovers.
If you’re struggling with frozen shoulder or suspect you might be, don’t wait to seek help. At The Physio Hub, we’re here to guide you through every step of the recovery process. Book an appointment with us today, and let us help you get back to the activities you love, pain-free and stronger than ever.