The physiotherapeutic treatment of a frozen shoulder, which can occur suddenly without a specific trigger, depends primarily on the stage of the disease. In the acute painful phase, the main focus is on improving mobility and pain relief. Once the inflammation has subsided, the aim is to restore good mobility to the shoulder as quickly as possible. Exercises to strengthen the muscles, stretch and improve mobility are on the training schedule. The exercises carried out during physiotherapy should also help to prevent the recurrence of a frozen shoulder.
Therapy of a frozen shoulder
Since the clinical picture of the frozen shoulder typically runs in 3 phases (freezing shoulder, frozen shoulder, thawing shoulder), the therapy is primarily based on the stage of the disease. As a rule, the frozen shoulder is treated conservatively. In this case, the therapy can consist of physiotherapeutic care, in which a number of different techniques are used to try to get the shoulder pain-free and mobile again as quickly as possible.
Other options include chiropractic, heat, cold and electrotherapy, radiotherapy and acupuncture. In addition, painkillers can be used as accompanying measures, especially NSAIDs, which also combat inflammation. Surgery as a possible form of therapy for a frozen shoulder is less common.
Surgery is necessary if the inflammation of the shoulder joint is due to other causes or if the symptoms of the frozen shoulder do not improve over a longer period of at least six months. If surgery is decided upon, the procedure can usually be performed arthroscopically. Physiotherapeutic follow-up treatment is then also essential after surgery.
Exercises at a Frozen Shoulder
In order to restore and improve the freedom of movement in a frozen shoulder, there are a number of stretching, strengthening and mobilization exercises that can alleviate the symptoms if performed regularly. 1. stabilization and strengthening Stand between a door frame and bend your arms slightly. Now raise your arms until your elbows press against the door frame.
Now actively press against the door frame up to the pain threshold and hold the tension for 30 seconds. Then take a 1 minute break and repeat the exercise. 2. mobilize the shoulder joint Support yourself on a chair or on the edge of a table and let the arm of the affected shoulder hang down loosely.
Now make slight pendulum and circular movements with your arm. Try to increase the range of motion when doing the exercise every day. 3. stretching the shoulder Stand about 20cm away from a wall so that the affected arm is closer to the wall.
Now place the hand of this arm on the wall above your head. The arm is not fully stretched. Now slowly turn your upper body inwards towards the wall until you feel a stretch at the back of your shoulder.
Hold this for 30 seconds. 4. mobility of the shoulder joint Move to the quadruped position. Spread the thumbs of your hands apart and place your hands so that the tips of your thumbs touch.
The arms are fully extended for this exercise. From this starting position, you now move back very slowly until you reach the pain threshold of the affected shoulder. Hold this position for 20 seconds and then return to the starting position. Do the exercise several times a day to return bit by bit. You will find comprehensive information on this topic in the article: Exercises for a Frozen Shoulder More exercises for the shoulder can be found in the articles:
- Exercises for the rotator cuff
- Mobilization Exercises
- Agility training
All articles in this series:
