Frozen Shoulder Physical Therapy: Relieve Stiffness and Gradually Restore Normal Function
Through targeted treatment plans for frozen shoulder, OneEssential’s physical therapists will first rule out other shoulder joint issues, then provide professional medical guidance to clarify unnecessary worries and misconceptions. Utilizing a combination of Eastern and Western treatment methods, we alleviate shoulder discomfort and help you gradually restore shoulder mobility step by step.
What is Frozen Shoulder?
Frozen shoulder, medically known as “adhesive capsulitis,” is a condition that causes restricted movement in the shoulder joint. It is also commonly referred to as “frozen shoulder” or “50-year-old shoulder.” Approximately 2-5% of people worldwide suffer from frozen shoulder. This condition is primarily caused by inflammation and fibrosis of the tissues surrounding the shoulder joint, leading to tightening of the joint capsule and progressively reducing the range of motion in the shoulder. Frozen shoulder typically progresses through a prolonged development process. Patients may find it difficult to lift their arms, extend or rotate their shoulders, significantly diminishing their quality of life.
Causes of Frozen Shoulder
Most cases of frozen shoulder do not have specific or identifiable causes and are rarely directly induced by acute trauma. Here are some risk factors:
- Restricted Shoulder Movement: Injuries, post-surgery immobility, or other health issues that prevent shoulder movement for extended periods, causing the shoulder joint to become stiff and triggering frozen shoulder.
- Age: Commonly occurs in individuals between 40 to 60 years old.
- Gender: More prevalent in females.
- Chronic Diseases: Conditions such as diabetes, thyroid dysfunction, and heart disease.
- Overuse of Shoulders: Individuals who frequently use their shoulders in repetitive motions.
Common Symptoms of Frozen Shoulder
- Shoulder Pain: Pain in the shoulder joint area, progressively worsening.
- Increasing Stiffness: Gradual increase in shoulder stiffness and decreased range of motion.
- Restricted Shoulder Movement: Especially when lifting or moving the shoulder laterally.
- Impact on Daily Activities: Difficulty with activities such as dressing, combing hair, and reaching behind.
- Difficulty Sleeping on the Affected Side: Finding it hard to lie on the affected shoulder.
Three Stages of Frozen Shoulder
Frozen shoulder symptoms typically develop gradually and the entire process can last from a year and a half to two years. Frozen shoulder generally consists of three main stages, each with different symptom manifestations. We aim to share some clinical knowledge here to help you better understand your underlying issues and trust our professional expertise.
Hear from Customers with Frozen Shoulder
OneEssential helps relieve my shoulder pain with their expertise and caring attitude, making my life being more comfortable. Recommend this clinic for the injured people like me:)
I suffered from shoulder pain for 2-3 years due to playing badminton and visited over three other physiotherapy clinics without relief. I am so grateful to have met Alan. He is considerate and experienced, giving me the confidence that I could recover fully without surgery. Alan thoroughly explained the cause of my pain and adjusted my treatment with different exercises each session. Thanks to him, I have fully recovered and returned to badminton competitions. Highly recommend!
Diagnosing Frozen Shoulder
To correctly treat frozen shoulder, precise examinations and diagnoses are essential to identify the true cause and formulate an appropriate treatment plan. Through detailed assessments, physical therapists can understand the severity of the condition and design targeted treatment plans based on each patient’s specific needs to optimize treatment outcomes.
One-on-One Treatment for Frozen Shoulder
Based on your frozen shoulder symptoms, we will arrange targeted physical therapy and rehabilitation training programs. The entire process is guided one-on-one by experienced professional physical therapists, helping you comprehensively restore shoulder mobility.
One-Stop Prevention of Frozen Shoulder Worsening
Leveraging years of professional experience in pain management, OneEssential provides a one-stop service from treating frozen shoulder symptoms to rehabilitation. We incorporate higher-intensity training at appropriate stages, ensuring you do not have to worry about the residual effects of frozen shoulder.
Professional and Reliable
Through thorough clinical evaluations, we accurately determine whether you truly have frozen shoulder and design effective treatment plans based on medical knowledge. Our professional team provides support, allowing you to undergo treatment and rehabilitation without confusion or worry about other issues. We ensure a safe and reliable recovery process.
How Does OneEssential Treat Your Frozen Shoulder?
Focused Shockwave Therapy
Using innovative “electroacoustic shockwave” technology, we precisely focus high-energy shockwaves on the affected areas of frozen shoulder. The shockwaves penetrate deep into the joint capsule and shoulder muscles and tendons, stimulating cellular self-repair and quickly alleviating pain, thereby accelerating recovery.
High-Energy Laser Therapy
High-energy laser therapy accelerates tissue healing, reduces inflammation and pain caused by frozen shoulder, especially suitable for the pain and freezing stages.
Manual Therapy
Through professional manual therapy, we loosen the shoulder joint, improve mobility, and reduce pain. Additionally, shoulder and neck muscles often become tense due to frozen shoulder. Manual therapy effectively alleviates muscle discomfort by relaxing these muscles.
Acupuncture Therapy
Dry needling, also known as modern acupuncture, is a professional technique used by physical therapists to address musculoskeletal pain. Fine needles are precisely inserted into the deep shoulder and shoulder tendon muscles to relax tight muscles caused by frozen shoulder and relieve discomfort.
Cure Frozen Shoulder with the Best Physical Therapy
Frozen shoulder is a common shoulder condition, especially in older individuals. However, with proper guidance and treatment, patients can fully restore normal shoulder function. Physical therapy is the core foundation for treating frozen shoulder, allowing us to tailor treatment plans that shorten the duration of shoulder pain.
If you wish to have a preliminary consultation, please fill out the form below. Our physical therapists will assess your current condition and provide you with the most professional advice.
Frequently Asked Questions about Frozen Shoulder
Frozen shoulder can recur, but maintaining shoulder muscle and joint flexibility and health, as well as managing chronic diseases like diabetes and thyroid dysfunction, can help minimize the risk of recurrence. Additionally, promptly addressing injuries can prevent secondary frozen shoulder.
In most cases, frozen shoulder can naturally heal within one to two years, restoring about 90% of shoulder mobility. However, this is a very long and painful process. Through physical therapy and medical intervention, pain and stiffness can be alleviated, enhancing quality of life.
Most cases of frozen shoulder will naturally resolve within one to two years, and only in rare situations where physical therapy or medication is ineffective may surgery be considered. The most common surgical method is arthroscopic surgery, where doctors use a small camera to enter the shoulder joint and remove or release fibrotic tissue, allowing the shoulder joint to regain its range of motion.
Both heat and ice are safe and feasible methods for relieving frozen shoulder, but they cannot cure the condition. Heat primarily promotes blood circulation, while ice provides immediate pain relief. If you are unsure which method suits your symptoms, feel free to consult OneEssential's professional physical therapists.
Many over-the-counter pain patches and creams can only temporarily alleviate pain and do not address the root cause of frozen shoulder. Moreover, some individuals may experience allergic reactions to these products. If you have long-term pain, we recommend seeking help from professional physical therapists.
Frequently Asked Questions about Frozen Shoulder Physical Therapy
Physical therapy is highly effective in improving frozen shoulder symptoms and providing appropriate guidance to help patients navigate through the three stages. OneEssential offers comprehensive physical therapy programs, including immediate relief (manual therapy, equipment, acupuncture) and targeted rehabilitation exercises based on clinical examinations. We guide you through various strengthening exercises at appropriate stages to enhance your condition and prevent recurrence, ensuring the effectiveness of the treatment from the root cause.
The duration of treatment depends on the underlying causes. For some frozen shoulder cases caused by muscle and joint inflammation without severe restrictions, targeted treatment combined with appropriate stretching exercises can show significant improvement within two to four weeks. Conversely, frozen shoulder caused by chronic conditions, injuries, or other structural issues may require longer recovery periods, often needing three to six months.
Frozen shoulder pain can significantly impact daily life, making it difficult for some patients to sleep or causing pain after short periods of sitting or walking. In such cases, taking anti-inflammatory drugs can temporarily control symptoms. However, frozen shoulder is a long-term condition and should not rely solely on medication. Painkillers only alleviate symptoms and do not accelerate the healing process. OneEssential's physical therapists will employ various methods to reduce your discomfort and provide reliable guidance to minimize anxiety, helping you return to a pain-free and comfortable life without the need for painkillers.