Treating Frozen Shoulder To Get Range Of Motion Back

Treating frozen shoulder conservatively can be a challenge, right? Any experienced clinician knows that adhesive capsulitis can affect anyone rather suddenly. And when it does, it's not your run-of-the-mill ache or pain. In fact, pain from this condition is tremendous and unrelenting. There have even been comparisons to having a baby...and the pain from birthing was preferred! Enough though about how painful it is. The worst part is the loss of function that accompanies this disease in about the 2-3rd month. Up until this stage, most anyone can deal with just the pain aspect. However, what is discouraging is the seemingly sudden loss of ROM or range of motion that usually happens around the 8-12th week.

Sufferers in this loss-of-motion phase hopefully by now have been formally diagnosed by a qualified physician. If they are fortunate, then their doctor has referred them to and experienced physical therapist with focus in treating this disease. However, most get referred to the "clinic down the street" and end up getting the run of the mill, standard frozen shoulder exercises. Rope and pulley, heat, wand exercise, etc... Some initial motion is recovered but at the expense of great pain. It's no wonder a lot of patients stop going after a few painful visits. Who wants to pay for a bunch of torture sessions with little results?

If you happen to be one of the lucky few to get a PT experienced in treating frozen shoulder, then you will hopefully hear him or her utter such terms as "active release", "accupressure", and "joint mobilization", to name a few. If not, then the best advice is to search around for such an individual who incorporates these types of treatments into their plan of care. Otherwise prepare for some greuling stretch sessions with attempts to force your already inflammed shoulder into submission! Therapists with success treating this condition understand the agony their patients are enduring and approach treatment in a much gentler manner.

Will there be discomfort with the treatments? Yes, but the pain will be short-lived and an increase in range of motion will be achieved, even on the first visit. A thourough clinician will also take into account the patients' priority functional goals and try to focus on these first. Achieving such functions as tucking a shirt in or fastening a bra clasp on the first few visits can do wonders for a client's outlook on life and future therapy. These functions can be achieved without gaining full ROM although this will be the end goal of any good care plan.

In summary, good advice for anyone with adhesive capsulitis is to do their due diligence in finding a qualified physical therapist who has knowledge and experience in treating frozen shoulder... Not just to gain ROM, but to improve function and the quality of life the person is seeking.

By: Danny Peters

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