FROZEN SHOULDER TREATMENT
Stretching exercises are the treatments of choice for frozen shoulder
Stretching exercises are the treatments of choice for frozen shoulder
- Ice the joint — Apply an ice pack or bag of
frozen vegetables to the shoulder for 15 minutes every four to six hours
to reduce pain and inflammation - Heat — Heat helps prepare the tissues for
stretching and should be performed prior to exercise sessions. The
preferable method of heating is in a warm shower or bath for 10 to 15
minutes. Local heat (for example with a moist heating pad or a towel
warmed in a microwave) is an alternative, but generally is not as
effective. Weighted pendulum stretch — Range-of-motion
exercises are recommended early in the recovery period. These exercises
are intended to help maintain joint mobility and flexibility of the
muscles and tendons in the shoulder. Pain should not exceed mild levels
with any range-of-motion/flexibility exercise. Anyone who feels sharp or
tearing pain while stretching should stop exercising immediately and
consult with a healthcare provider.The weighted pendulum stretching exercise performs two functions:Gently stretches the space in which the tendons pass to relieve pressure on the tendons .Prevents the development of a frozen (stiff) shoulder
- Passive stretching exercises — Passive stretches
(ie, stretches done without actively contracting any shoulder muscles)
should be performed after the pendulum stretch exercise. These exercises
should further loosen the tightened shoulder capsule and muscles and
restore normal range of motion. These exercises should be performed in
sets of 10 to 20 once or twice a day for several months. The goal of
these exercises is to stretch the shoulder to the point of tension but
not pain. Severe discomfort is unusual and suggests overstretching - Armpit stretch — Use your good arm to lift the affected arm onto a shelf, dresser, or any object that is chest high (picture 1). Gently bend at the knees, opening up the armpit. Try to push the affected arm up a little farther with each stretch.
- Finger walk — Face a wall about three-quarters of an arm's length away (picture 2). Using only your fingers (not your shoulder muscles) raise your arm up to shoulder level.
- Towel stretch — Take a 3-foot-long towel, grasp it with both hands, and hold it at a 45 degree angle (picture 3). Use the upper, good arm to pull the arm toward the lower back. This can be repeated with the towel in the horizontal position.
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