Should You Choose Physical Therapy For Frozen Shoulder Relief?

Of the numerous options available for treatment of a frozen shoulder syndrome, physical therapy remains the most widely accepted conservative choice. Physical Therapy, if provided by a therapist specializing in disorders of the upper extremity, can address not only the loss of motion and stiffness that accompany this condition, but also can provide a significant measure of pain relief during the process.

A good program starts with an accurate diagnosis by your physician. Simply trying to "self-treat" a frozen shoulder with randomly chosen exercises runs the risk of inducing further loss of motion and increasing the amount of pain. However with a properly chosen PT program a patient with this condition can make a difference in his/her recovery, although it is almost always preferable to have "hands-on" care from a specialist who can provide joint mobilization.

An advantage of a well designed exercise or treatment program is the education it provides regarding expected outcomes and progression of frozen shoulder syndrome. All too often a patient is evaluated by a therapist and then will attend 2-3 sessions or perform a few sessions of self treatment and abruptly stop because they are perceiving minimal progress. These patients will subsequently begin to rely on quick fixes such as medication which only serve to mask the underlying problem. Conversely, a patient who understands what each exercise is meant to achieve and understands the progression of the stages of adhesive capsulitis will be less likely to halt their treatment and follow through to the end.

Treatment techniques used by physical therapist to treat a stiff or frozen shoulder include the use of thermal modalities such as moist heat (provides short-term pain relief and increases blood flow into the affected shoulder), electrical stimulation (reduces muscle spasm and pain), ultrasound (focal deep heat of shoulder soft tissue), joint mobilization (increases the joints' mobility), and targeted exercise (increases strength and function affected by immobility or disuse of the shoulder). These techniques are used in specific combinations depending on the stage of adhesive capsulitis the patient is in or severity of the patient's symptoms.

Treating a frozen shoulder requires consistency and daily action to reduce the debilitating effects of this condition. Use of pain medication is short term at best and will not help the sufferer regain use of the arm. Surgery or manipulation under anesthesia should be a last resort and only when all other conservative methods fail. Other treatment options such as acupuncture, herbal remedies, or homeopathic treatments should be researched carefully as they often provide minimal to no relief but cost the patient hundreds of dollars. Physical therapy for frozen shoulder relief is the best option for those who wish to get to the root of the problem and maximize their recovery.