Rehabilitation Exercises for Frozen Shoulder

Frozen shoulder causes

Frozen shoulder, also known as adhesive capsulitis, is characterised by stiffness and pain in the shoulder joint. It occurs when the capsule becomes thickened and inflamed. This causes the range of motion of the shoulder to be limited.

This condition can occur without apparent cause. However, the risk of having frozen shoulder increases if you have the following:

• Previous injury or trauma to the shoulders.
• Medical conditions such as thyroid, diabetes, heart disease or stroke.
• Immobilisation of the shoulder due to an injury.

The condition tends to worsen over time if left untreated. It predominantly affects adults between 40 and 60 years old, affecting women more frequently than males.

Frozen shoulder symptoms

Frozen shoulder diagnosis

Your doctor would first question your general health and symptoms before conducting a thorough physical examination. Diagnosis is made based on your reported symptoms, physical examination, and investigations.

Additionally, your doctor may order certain imaging tests, such as an X-ray or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), to rule out the possibility of other issues, such as arthritis or a rotator cuff injury.

Frozen shoulder treatment options

The primary aim of frozen shoulder treatment is to alleviate symptoms and restore shoulder motion and function. Some treatment options are as follows:

• Medications such as paracetamol or ibuprofen to reduce inflammation and relieve pain.
• Heat or ice pack therapy.
• Stronger pain medication, such as corticosteroid injections, reduces swelling.
• A physiotherapist may be recommended for shoulder range-of-motion and stretching exercises to improve movement.

Surgery is recommended if your symptoms do not improve despite other treatment options.

Rehabilitation exercises for frozen shoulder

Physiotherapy is the cornerstone of treatment, primarily focusing on stretching and strengthening activities. A physiotherapist may teach you the best exercises to perform.

• 1. Frozen shoulder mobility exercises

  Pendulum exercise

  • Stand and lean over slightly while relaxing your shoulders and let the injured arm hang loose.
  • Next, gently swing the injured arm in a small circle with an approximate diameter of half a foot to one foot.
  • Perform about 10 revolutions forward and backward.
  • This exercise may be repeated 2 to 3 times a day.

  Inward rotation

  • Make use of an exercise resistance band or TheraBand.
  • Hook one end of a resistance band around the doorknob of a closed door.
  • Next, hold the other end with the hand of your injured arm while maintaining your elbow at a 90-degree angle.
  • Pull the band towards your body.
  • Hold for at least 5-10 seconds and release.

  Outward rotation

  • Make use of an exercise resistance band or TheraBand.
  • Hold it between your hands, with your injured elbow, at a 90-degree angle.
  • Gently rotate the lower part of the injured arm outwards, about 2 to 3 inches, and hold for 5 seconds.
  • Repeat about 10 times.
  • The exercise may be repeated 2 to 3 times a day.
• 2. Stretching exercises for frozen shoulder

  Shoulder stretch

  • Support the elbow of your affected shoulder with your opposite hand.
  • Next, pull this elbow across your chest, towards the opposite shoulder.
  • Hold this stretch for about 30 counts.
  • Repeat 10 times. The stretch may be performed a few times a day.

  Towel stretch

  • You can do this by holding a towel with one hand behind your back and the other hand on the other end.
  • Keep the towel horizontal and use your good arm to help stretch out your affected one.
  • Perform these 10 to 20 times a day.
  • Relax the stretch gradually, then do it again. However, you should not push yourself physically if doing so causes unbearable pain.

  Cross-body stretch

  • While seated or standing, support the injured arm with the other arm at the elbow.
  • Stretch your shoulder by bringing it up and across your body.
  • Hold this stretch for at least 15 to 30 seconds.
  • Perform this about 10 to 20 times per day.
• 3. Strengthening exercises for frozen shoulder

  Cane exercise

  • Lie on your back.
  • Position a cane or broomstick so that it is flat across your hips. Your elbows should be straight, and your hands should be facing down.
  • Use the non-injured arm to stretch out your damaged arm by lifting the cane above your head with your healthy arm.
  • Hold the stretch for 30 seconds.
• 4. Yoga exercises for frozen shoulder

  Many yoga asanas can help improve shoulder mobility. However, some of them may be hard to manage for beginners or those with severe pain in the shoulder joint. Here are two simple ones to try:

  Bhujangasana (Cobra pose)

  • While lying on your stomach (on a yoga mat), place your hands on the floor beside your body, with palms down.
  • Next, put some weight on your palms while gently raising your body and torso. Breathe in when rising up.
  • Straighten your arms and lift your chin to look up at the ceiling, resembling a cobra’s typical position.
  • Hold the pose for 30 seconds.
  • Exhale as you go back to the starting position.

  Dhanurasana (Bow pose)

  • Lie flat on your stomach.
  • Keep your stomach on the floor and raise your upper body and legs off the ground.
  • Extend your arms backwards to hold your feet.
  • Hold the position for 30 seconds.
  • Return to the original position.

Book an appointment at Gleneagles Hospitals

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Get in touch with us to book an appointment with an Orthopaedic specialist or the team of physiotherapists and clinical rehabilitative team specialists at Gleneagles Hospital today.