Frozen Shoulder & the Benefits of Physiotherapy

What is a frozen shoulder?

A frozen shoulder or adhesive capsulitis is a condition in which the shoulder stiffens as a result of a scarred tissue. Patients suffering from the frozen shoulder complain of pain when they move. At times the ability to move the shoulder is lost.

The causes of adhesive capsulitis are a debatable matter, but some know triggers include:

• A surgery or reaction may induce a reaction by the body
• Underlying conditions such as tendinitis, arthritis or bursitis may result in pain when one tries to move their shoulder
• A surgery or fracture that leaves your arm immobilized in a sling for quick recovery.

What does a frozen shoulder feel like?

As the condition progresses, pain and inability to move may increase. A specialist from Physiotherapy First may help define the stage of your condition. Typically, the stages include:

1. “Prefreezing”

The first stage normally last for 2 to 3 months. Moving your shoulder results in slight pain, and with time, the pain becomes sharp necessitating that you reduce movement.

2. Freezing

Your symptoms have showed up for almost 8 months. You are likely to experience amplified loss of shoulder mobility and increased pain during the night.

3. Frozen

At this point, you have had symptoms for around 9 to 14 months. The extent to which you can move yours shoulder has greatly decreased. You have likely stopped attempting to move your shoulder because it results in great pain.

4. Thawing

The symptoms have lasted for over a year. Your pain may have subsided to some extent and your ability to carry out regular tasks may have improved.

How Physiotherapy First can help

When you visit our clinic for a checkup into the cause of your shoulder pain, we will conduct an extensive investigation into your condition to determine all underlying problems.

Once our evaluation points to the underlying condition and the stage you are in, your treatment may comprise of:

• Manual therapy

Your physiotherapist may carry out a variety of motion exercises to improve your range of shoulder movement.

• Strengthening exercises

These exercises are targeted towards recovering the strength of the core muscles in your shoulders.

• Home-exercise program

Your therapist will recommend exercises that you can carry out at home depending on your symptoms.

• Pain medication

At times, conventional care may not adequately control your pain. You may be recommended to your family Dr to receive an injection to help bring the pain down on a short-term basis.

Where to find a competent physiotherapist to treat my frozen shoulder?

You need not look beyond Physiotherapy First in Brampton for efficient and appropriate treatment to let you get back to doing what you love.

Our team of specialists obtain additional recertification on a regular basis to ensure that every single patient benefits from only the latest forms of physiotherapy treatment.

We are your one-stop clinic for all your physiotherapy needs in Brampton and its environs, with a knack for personalized and exceptional methods for all your needs.

Physiotherapy First offers the Brampton community and surrounding area exceptional rehabilitative care with personalized treatment plans to suit specific needs. If you are experiencing pain or other symptoms, have recently had an injury, or would like to improve your mobility and function, our Physiotherapists and Healthcare Team will work with you to ensure you get back to the activities that are important to you. Call us at 905-796-6662 for an appointment today or email us at info@physiotherapyfirst.ca