If you're experiencing severe shoulder pain and a significant loss of motion that seems to be getting progressively worse, you might be suffering from a condition called Frozen Shoulder, also known as **adhesive capsulitis**. This condition can make even simple tasks like reaching for a cup or putting on a coat incredibly difficult and painful. At Precision Rehab, Occupational, Physical & Hand Therapy, P.L.L.C., we specialize in comprehensive physical therapy programs designed to help you recover from frozen shoulder, reduce your pain, and restore your full range of motion.
What is Frozen Shoulder?
Frozen shoulder is a condition characterized by stiffness and pain in your shoulder joint. It occurs when the capsule of connective tissue surrounding your shoulder joint thickens and tightens, making it difficult to move. It typically develops slowly, in three distinct stages:
- Freezing Stage: Pain increases, and your shoulder gradually loses range of motion. This stage can last from 6 weeks to 9 months.
- Frozen Stage: Pain may begin to diminish during this stage, but the stiffness remains, and the range of motion is severely limited. This stage can last 4 to 12 months.
- Thawing Stage: Your shoulder's range of motion slowly begins to improve. This stage can take from 5 months to 2 years.
While the exact cause is often unknown, certain factors can increase your risk, including diabetes, thyroid issues, heart disease, menopause and prolonged immobilization of the shoulder (e.g., after surgery or injury).
Our Comprehensive Approach to Frozen Shoulder Rehabilitation
Early and consistent physical therapy is key to effectively treating frozen shoulder and speeding up your recovery. At Precision Rehab, Occupational, Physical & Hand Therapy, P.L.L.C., our skilled therapists will conduct a thorough evaluation of your shoulder's range of motion, strength, and pain levels to create a personalized treatment plan. Our goal is to gently and progressively restore your shoulder's mobility while managing your pain.
Manual Therapy
- Joint Mobilization: Gentle, hands-on techniques applied to the shoulder joint to improve the mobility of the joint capsule and surrounding tissues.
- Soft Tissue Mobilization: Addressing muscle tightness and restrictions in the shoulder, neck, and upper back that may contribute to your pain and stiffness.
- Myofascial Release: Techniques to release tension in the connective tissues surrounding your muscles.
Therapeutic Exercises
- Range of Motion Exercises: Carefully guided stretching and movement exercises to gradually increase the mobility of your shoulder joint without causing excessive pain. These are crucial throughout all stages.
- Strengthening Exercises: Once some motion is regained, targeted exercises to rebuild strength in the rotator cuff and surrounding shoulder muscles, which often weaken due to disuse.
- Scapular Stabilization Exercises: Strengthening muscles that support your shoulder blade to ensure proper shoulder mechanics.
- Home Exercise Program: We will teach you specific exercises to perform regularly at home to reinforce progress made during therapy sessions. Consistency is vital for frozen shoulder recovery.
Pain Management Modalities
- Heat and Cold Therapy: To reduce pain and inflammation and prepare tissues for stretching.
- Electrical Stimulation: To help alleviate pain and muscle spasms.
- Laser Therapy: Our advanced laser therapy can effectively reduce pain and inflammation at a cellular level, promoting faster tissue healing and making stretching more tolerable.
Education and Activity Modification
- Understanding your condition and the importance of continued exercise.
- Guidance on how to modify daily activities to avoid aggravating your shoulder while still keeping it active.
- Strategies for managing pain and protecting your shoulder during daily tasks and sleep.
Why Choose Precision Rehab, Occupational, Physical & Hand Therapy, P.L.L.C. for Your Frozen Shoulder?
- Specialized Expertise: Our therapists have extensive experience in successfully treating complex shoulder conditions like frozen shoulder.
- Personalized Progression: We understand the stages of frozen shoulder and tailor your therapy to your unique pain levels and recovery phase.
- Hands-On Approach: We utilize effective manual therapy techniques to unlock stiffness and improve mobility.
- Integrated Therapies: We combine targeted exercises with modalities like laser therapy for comprehensive pain relief and accelerated healing.
- Empowering Education: We equip you with the knowledge and home exercises vital for a lasting recovery.
Don't let frozen shoulder keep you from enjoying life. The sooner you start physical therapy, the better your chances for a faster and more complete recovery. Contact Precision Rehab, Occupational, Physical & Hand Therapy, P.L.L.C., Occupational, Physical & Hand Therapy, P.L.L.C. today to schedule your comprehensive evaluation and begin your journey toward a pain-free, mobile shoulder.
