Frozen Shoulder and Its Management Strategies

Frozen shoulder, medically known as adhesive capsulitis, is a challenging condition characterized by pain, stiffness and limited range of motion in the shoulder joint. It is characterized by inflammation, thickening and adhesion of the joint capsule surrounding the shoulder joint.

While the exact cause is not fully understood, it can occur following trauma, immobilization, hormonal imbalances or as a result of certain medical conditions such as diabetes and thyroid dysfunction. Frozen shoulder typically progresses through three stages: freezing, frozen, and thawing.

Management

First and foremost, accurate diagnosis is crucial for effective management. In its early stages, frozen shoulder can be quite often misdiagnosed. As chiropractors, we employ a comprehensive approach that includes:

Thorough Patient History: Assessing the patient’s symptoms, previous shoulder injuries, medical history, and any underlying conditions.

Physical Examination: Conducting a detailed examination of shoulder range of motion, strength and provocative tests to evaluate pain and shoulder mobility.

Imaging Studies: In certain cases, imaging techniques such as ultrasound and MRI may be utilized to confirm the diagnosis and assess the severity of the condition.

Hands on treatment can play a significant role in managing frozen shoulder. These techniques may include:

Joint Mobilization

Gentle mobilization techniques, such as oscillatory motions or specific joint glides, can help improve joint space and reduce adhesions, leading to improved shoulder mobility and pain reduction.

Joint Manipulation

Manipulative techniques, applied with appropriate force and direction, can help restore joint motion, alleviate pain and improve functional outcomes. Manipulation is typically performed within the patient’s comfort level and tailored to their specific needs.

Soft Tissue Techniques

Soft Tissue techniques are employed to address muscular imbalances and restrictions around the shoulder joint. Chiropractors may utilize myofascial release, trigger point therapy, muscle release techniques and musculoskeletal dry needling.

Therapeutic Exercises & Rehabilitation

Prescribing therapeutic exercises and designing a progressive rehabilitation program is crucial for managing frozen shoulder. These exercises may include:

1. Stretching Exercises: Gentle stretching helps improve flexibility, increase joint mobility, and reduce muscle tightness surrounding the shoulder joint.
2. Strengthening Exercises: Specific exercises targeting the shoulder and surrounding muscles help restore muscle balance, enhance stability, and improve functional strength.
3. Proprioceptive Exercises: Balance and stability exercises help improve joint awareness and coordination, reducing the risk of re-injury.

Patient Education and Self-Management

Educating patients about frozen shoulder, its natural course and the importance of adhering to the prescribed management plan is essential. Chiropractors can provide guidance on home exercises, activity modifications, pain management strategies and self-care techniques to optimize patient outcomes.

As chiropractors, we play a valuable role in the management of frozen shoulder. Through comprehensive evaluation, chiropractic manipulative therapy, soft tissue techniques, therapeutic exercises, patient education and self-management strategies, we can help patients have a better understanding on the condition, alleviate pain, restore shoulder mobility and enhance their overall quality of life. Collaborating with other healthcare professionals and tailoring treatment plans to each patient’s unique needs ensures a holistic approach to managing frozen shoulder effectively.

– Aret Chiropractic