Adhesive capsulitis (frozen shoulder) is a situation that corresponds to pain and stiffness in the shoulder joint. It’s usually caused by injury or underlying health conditions, i.e., diabetes, thyroid disorders, or heart disease. If left untreated, a frozen shoulder may severely restrain the range of motion in the affected shoulder and significantly impact your mundane activities.

Opportunely, physiotherapy is an effective treatment option for frozen shoulders. In this article, we’ll explore how sports physiotherapy alleviates pain and stiffness in your shoulder joint.

Understanding Frozen Shoulder

Before delving into the specific treatments, you should understand what happens in a frozen shoulder. The shoulder joint is made up of three bones – the upper arm bone (humerus), the shoulder blade (scapula) and the collarbone (clavicle). Ligaments, tendons, and muscles hold these bones together.

The tissue around the shoulder joint will turn thick, tight, and inflamed in a frozen shoulder. This results in adhesions or bands of scar tissue forming between these tissues. As a result, the shoulder joint becomes stiff and cannot move freely.

How Physiotherapy Helps

Physiotherapy is designed to restore movement and function to the affected joint through various techniques. Here are some of the ways physiotherapy can help with a frozen shoulder:

• Manual Therapy: This encompasses a variety of hands-on techniques, including massage, mobilisation, and stretching exercises. These techniques work together to alleviate tension in the tissues surrounding the shoulder joint, leading to an enhanced range of motion and decreased pain.
• Exercises: Physiotherapists recommend specialised exercises that focus on the muscles and ligaments that wrap the shoulder joint. These exercises effectively enhance the strength and flexibility of these tissues, thereby reducing joint stiffness and improving overall mobility.
• Heat and Cold Therapy: Applying heat to the affected area can effectively relax the muscles and enhance blood flow, while cold therapy will reduce inflammation and alleviate pain. Physiotherapists often employ hot and cold therapy to relieve symptoms in patients with frozen shoulders.
• Ultrasound: Ultrasound, a form of deep heat therapy, employs high-frequency sound waves to penetrate the tissues surrounding the shoulder joint. Enhancing blood flow and alleviating pain and stiffness facilitates tissue healing.
• Electrotherapy: Electrotherapy is an alternative method of deep heat therapy that utilises low electrical currents to stimulate the muscles surrounding the shoulder joint. This technique effectively promotes tissue relaxation and enhances the range of motion.

Additional Tips for Frozen Shoulder

In addition to physiotherapy treatments, there are a few things you can do at home to help manage your frozen shoulder:

• Avoid activities that cause pain: To maintain your well-being, it is crucial to pay heed to your body’s signals and refrain from engaging in any actions or exercises that induce discomfort in your shoulder. Doing so can effectively prevent worsening of the condition and promote overall recovery.
• Start with gentle stretches: If you encounter stiffness in your shoulder, performing gentle stretches can enhance your range of motion. It is essential to heed the guidance of your physiotherapist and avoid excessive strain.
• Use proper posture: Maintaining good posture prevents shoulder tension and pain. Remembering your posture is essential, particularly when sitting at a desk or using electronic devices.