Additional Information

Home Treatments:

A frozen shoulder can be initially treated with rest. The shoulder should not be used for strenuous activity and a non-steroidal anti inflammatory medication should be used to reduce the pain. Ice or heat packs may be administered to help alleviate pain and stiffness.

Professional Medical Treatments:

A professional may advise corticosteroid injects to reduce symptoms. Shoulder manipulation is another treatment which involves the use of general anesthesia and moving the shoulder through the range of motion to work the muscles and tissues. The injection of sterile water into the joint capsule to stretch the tissue may also be performed. In rare cases surgery may be required.

Physical Therapy and Exercises:

Rehabilitation of adhesive capsulitisa will involve exercising the shoulder throughout its entire range of motion. The most common exercises are the flexion, extension, external rotation, internal rotation, abduction and adduction of the shoulders. These are done by holding a bar or wand with both hands, and working the shoulder by raising, lowering, and turning the wand.

Exercise Techniques to Prevent Injury:

Repetitive strenuous movements of the shoulder should be partitioned with periods of rest. The shoulder blades should be kept stretched by performing shoulder shrugs and depressions before and after physical activity. The chest muscles and the bicep muscles should also be stretched to help reduce the chance of a frozen shoulder from occurring.