A frozen shoulder is an annoying complaint that can significantly limit your daily movements. But What exactly is a frozen shoulder?, how a frozen shoulder develops and what can physiotherapy do for youOur physiotherapist will explain it to you.
What is a frozen shoulder?
With a frozen shoulder, also called a "replacement shoulder," inflammation occurs in the joint capsule around your shoulder. This causes the capsule to thicken and stiffen, leading to progressively less mobility in your shoulder. This limitation often causes pain that can persist for months.
Frozen shoulder is most common in people between the ages of 40 and 60 and develops in three stages:
- The freezing phase: pain is in the foreground, movement becomes increasingly difficult
- The frozen phase: the pain decreases slightly, but the restriction of movement remains
- The thawing phase: slowly the movement returns
How does a frozen shoulder develop?
The cause of a frozen shoulder isn't always clear. Sometimes it develops after a fall or accident where your shoulder sustains an impact. In other cases, overuse or prolonged immobility plays a role, for example, after surgery or because you rest your shoulder for too long.
Common causes of a frozen shoulder:
- Long-term shoulder strain or too little exercise
- After an injury or surgery
- Diabetes or thyroid problems increase the risk
- Without clear cause ('idiopathic')
Whatever the cause, the complaints can persist for a long time and without the right guidance recovery is often difficult.
Complaints about a frozen shoulder
A frozen shoulder often begins with pain in the front or side of the shoulder. This pain worsens with movements such as lifting your arm above your head or reaching backward.
Recognizable symptoms of a frozen shoulder are:
- Pain in the shoulder, sometimes radiating to the upper arm
- Difficulty with daily activities such as dressing or driving
- Less and less freedom of movement
- Nighttime pain that keeps you awake
Physiotherapy for frozen shoulder
Physiotherapy is important for a frozen shoulder. Our physiotherapist will help you maintain optimal use of your shoulder and gradually regain mobility. This reduces the risk of permanent limitations.
At Fysi we tackle your frozen shoulder by:
- Targeted mobilization exercises to improve mobility
- Muscle strengthening exercises to strengthen the shoulder and surrounding muscles
- Pain reduction techniques
- Advice and guidance about what you can and cannot do
Make an appointment and work on your recovery
Don't walk around with shoulder pain. The sooner you start physiotherapy, the better we can prevent your shoulder from becoming completely stiff.
Do you recognize yourself in these complaints or would you like advice?
Please feel free to contact us, we're happy to help!