Frozen Shoulder
Frozen shoulder is also called adhesive capsulitis. The cause of frozen shoulder is unknown. It usually affects the non-dominant shoulder but many people have experienced it in both sides at different times. It can be very painful and cause stiffness and decreased range of motion of the shoulder. Frozen shoulder has three stages of freezing and can take up to 2 years to recover from. Frozen shoulder is common in people between the ages of 40 and 60 especially in peri menopausal women.
Stages of frozen shoulder:
- Freezing Stage: (Beginning to 9 months) Shoulder pain and decreased mobility has a gradual onset that worsens. Shoulder pain is accompanied by decreased range of motion and shoulder stiffness.
- Frozen stage (4 to 12 months): Pain may lessen during this stage or stay the same. The shoulder remains stiff and difficult to use.
- Thawing stage (5 to 24 months): The shoulder becomes easier to move and pain decreases.
Signs and symptoms of frozen shoulder include:
- pain in your shoulder
- achiness in your shoulder
- decreased range of motion of the shoulder
- pain in your shoulder especially if you are in the age range of 40-60
- stiffness of the shoulder
- gradual onset that continues to worsen
Treatment options:
- manual therapy & manipulation
- patient education
- soft tissue release therapy
- exercise rehabilitation & home exercise programs
- Intramuscular Stimulation
- cervical & lumbar traction
- shockwave therapy
- LASER therapy
- ultrasound
- therapeutic taping (K taping, sprain taping, joint taping)
- electrotherapy
- cryotherapy/ heat therapy
- instrument assisted soft tissue release
- kinesiology
- passive and active stretching