Can Physiotherapy East Sheen help with frozen shoulder?

Physiotherapy East Sheen help with frozen shoulder

Frozen shoulder is a debilitating condition that affects two to five per cent of the population. Also known as adhesive capsulitis, it is characterised by extreme shoulder pain and stiffness that leads to limited movement of the shoulder joint. Physiotherapy can help to alleviate this condition and speed up the recovery process.

During the early stages of frozen shoulder (freezing) pain and stiffness are usually quite severe and progress rapidly. This is due to a build up of inflammatory chemicals (substance P and neovascularisation) and thickening of the shoulder capsule. In this phase, the most important goal is to reduce pain and stiffness by using non-prescription pain relief medications like ibuprofen or aspirin. Taking these medications consistently is essential to prevent the pain and stiffness from getting worse.

At this stage, the Physiotherapy East Sheen will perform a range of movements to help restore the shoulder’s normal movement and increase strength. Physiotherapy techniques will include manual manipulation of the shoulder joint, passive mobilisation (with the therapist moving your shoulder) and isometric or static contractions to reduce muscle weakness (eg. fig 2 & 3).

The frozen shoulder will gradually begin to warm up in this phase as the body starts to release the inflammation and fibrotic adhesions. The thawing phase will see gradual improvement in shoulder movement, but will still be significantly restricted. During this stage, the physiotherapist will continue to perform the range of movement exercises and stretches as in the freezing phase, but with a longer holding time within tolerated boundaries. Strengthening exercises will also be added to this to improve the shoulder’s strength, as it has been weakened from lack of use in the frozen phase.

Can Physiotherapy East Sheen help with frozen shoulder?

During this phase, patients should avoid attempting to force the shoulder back into motion as this will only increase the pain and stiffness. Physiotherapy treatments can include gentle stretching of the shoulder (eg fig 4) and the use of heat to decrease pain and reduce scar tissue formation. In most cases, the shoulder will have recovered from this stage and will be back to full function after a period of 3-4 years.

A physiotherapist at Physiotherapy East Sheen will diagnose frozen shoulder by completing a thorough physical examination and identifying the limitations and tender points of the shoulder. They will then recommend the appropriate physiotherapy treatment to improve pain and shoulder movement. It is also important to rule out other conditions with similar symptoms as they can sometimes be confused, for example rotator cuff tears and subacromial bursitis.

Mark Edgar is a fully qualified Physiotherapist and has been working with athletes for 15 years, including the Great Britain rowing team at six Olympic Games. He now works with people from all walks of life to keep them mobile, active and pain-free at Physiotherapy East Sheen. Frozen shoulder is one of the many conditions he treats. Book an appointment to find out more about how he can help you recover from frozen shoulder. Call 01892 666 299 or book online.

Hands-on manual therapy techniques such as soft tissue mobilization, joint mobilization, and myofascial release are used to address muscle imbalances at Physiotherapy East Sheen. These interventions help alleviate muscle tightness, improve joint mobility, and optimize muscle function. Manual therapy techniques are often combined with therapeutic exercises to enhance their effectiveness.