Methods of Physical Therapy for Frozen Shoulder

Frozen shoulder is the condition of pain and stiffnessIn physical therapy for frozen shoulder, you will first
in the shoulder joint accompanied by loss of motion.perform weight and non-weight stretching exercises
An inflammation in or around the shoulder may triggerto improve the flexibility of your shoulder joint. The
the body's normal defensive response of stiffness.common exercises include arm swing with weights,
When the shoulder becomes stiff, it becomes tooarm raise, overhead stretch, stretching your arms
painful too move. Someone with frozen shoulder mayacross your body, and towel stretch.
not be able to reach above and over the head orIt is important to note that during these stretching
touch the back.exercises, you should feel tension but you should not
While there is no definite cause of frozen shoulder,overstretch your shoulder to the point where you
over 90 percent of patients experience full recovery.feel pain or severe discomfort. These exercises are
Doctors recommend physical therapy for frozendone once or twice daily until the shoulder restores
shoulder as the best treatment.its normal range of movement.
Physical therapy for frozen shoulder starts withYour doctor will advise you should you need to
reducing the pain and stiffness of the shoulder andperform other exercises to tone and strengthen your
increasing blood circulation through heat. Oneshoulder muscles such as rotation exercises.
effective way of the heating method is taking aRemember not to force movement in your shoulder.
10-minute hot shower or bath. Alternatively, theThis does not mean you should not move it at all but
physical therapist may apply heat to your shoulderinstead to limit activities that may further injure your
locally with the use of heating pads, wraps or towels.shoulder.
Hot water bottles and heat creams and ointmentsIf physical therapy for frozen shoulder does not
may also be used.work for you, your doctor may recommend surgical
Shoulder massage is also a good way to starttreatment. The good news is physical therapy for
physical therapy for frozen shoulder as it increasesfrozen shoulder is usually enough for patients to get
the flow of blood and oxygen into the area. Onceeffective results that improve with time. If you have
pain is reduced either through heating or throughfrozen shoulder, consult a physical therapist and get
massage, the therapist proceeds with a series ofthe treatment that you need.
physical therapy exercises.