Is your shoulder acting up? Have you noticed a creeping stiffness, a gradual pain that has slowly but persistently occupied your shoulder and upper arm? You might be experiencing frozen shoulder symptoms. This condition can significantly affect your daily activities, work, sports participation, and recreational pursuits.
Often the first sign of a problem brewing is an unusual stiffness in the shoulder. A lot of people brush it off as a muscle strain, but as the weeks pass by, the stiffness usually worsens and is accompanied by deep aching pain. Tasks that once seemed trivial, like reaching for a cup in a cupboard or a shirt from the top shelf, start feeling like major challenges.
Sound familiar? This story is a typical example of someone suffering from the increasingly common condition of a frozen shoulder.
Frozen shoulder, also known as adhesive capsulitis, begins with a gradual increase in pain and a decrease in the range of motion. The shoulder seems to ‘freeze,’ limiting mobility and causing discomfort during your daily routine.
The key is to seek professional help at Hand In Hand Rehabilitation in Carle Place, NY. Our occupational therapists will design a comprehensive recovery plan involving exercises, therapies, and home remedies to relieve your symptoms and restore shoulder mobility.
If you’re experiencing symptoms that hint at a frozen shoulder, don’t let it put a freeze on your life. You can reclaim your freedom of movement and say goodbye to the persistent pain and stiffness.
Call our clinic to learn more about this condition or book an evaluation. Together, we can restore the mobility and strength you need to get back to the activities you love!
What Is a Frozen Shoulder?
Frozen shoulder is a condition that is characterized by stiffness and pain in your shoulder joint. In layman’s terms, think of it as your shoulder feeling “frozen,” almost like it’s stuck in place. It may start with a little discomfort and progress to the point where it becomes challenging to move your shoulder, thereby affecting your daily activities.
Frozen shoulder symptoms typically develop slowly and can worsen over time. They are generally categorized into three stages:
- Freezing stage – This is where the pain begins, and your range of motion starts to decrease. You might feel a dull or aching pain in one shoulder, typically noticeable more at night.
- Frozen stage – The pain might reduce at this stage, but your shoulder becomes stiffer, and using it becomes harder.
- Thawing stage – This is where the range of motion in your shoulder begins to improve.
The symptoms of adhesive capsulitis are believed to occur due to the thickening and tightening of the shoulder capsule surrounding the joint. This results in less space for your shoulder to move around. However, certain factors increase the likelihood of developing a frozen shoulder:
- Age and Gender – People over 40, particularly women, are more likely to develop Frozen Shoulders.
- Systemic Diseases – Conditions like diabetes, hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism, cardiovascular disease, and Parkinson’s disease can increase the risk.
- Shoulder Trauma or Surgery – People who maintain prolonged shoulder immobility are at a higher risk due to surgery or injury.
While frozen shoulders can be a challenging condition, it’s not permanent. With appropriate exercises, therapies, and home remedies, shoulder mobility can be restored. Our expert team at Hand In Hand Rehabilitation in Carle Place, NY can help you say goodbye to the pain and stiffness and reclaim your active lifestyle!
Frozen Shoulder Recovery at Hand In Hand Rehabilitation
Early recognition of frozen shoulder symptoms can expedite the path to recovery. Our expert team of hand therapists is here to guide you through understanding your frozen shoulder symptoms, the recovery process, and how occupational therapy can significantly improve your condition.
We’ll start with a comprehensive evaluation, including a detailed medical history and physical examination. Based on the results of our assessment, we’ll tailor our treatment to address your individual needs and provide the most effective treatments that will relieve pain, increase mobility, and prevent future episodes of frozen shoulder.
Some of the most effective treatments include:
- Heat Therapy: Applying heat to the affected area can help to reduce muscle tension and pain.
- Manual Therapy: Our therapists may apply hands-on techniques to improve movement and decrease pain in your shoulder.
- Therapeutic Exercises: A range of motion exercises will be used to stretch the shoulder joint and gently reduce stiffness and pain.
- Home Exercise Programs: Our therapists will guide you on exercises you can do at home, aiding in continued recovery.
When it comes to managing frozen shoulder symptoms, don’t shoulder the burden alone. Our occupational therapists at Hand In Hand Rehabilitation are committed to guiding you back to better health.
Ready to Unfreeze Your Shoulder?
Are you ready to embark on your road to recovery? Our professionals are experienced in treating frozen shoulder symptoms and will tailor a recovery plan to your specific needs. Together, we can unfreeze your shoulder and restore the flexibility and strength you need to get back to the activities you love!
To learn more about this condition or to book an evaluation, call our clinic for more information!
