| Most doctors will only attempt to treat the symptoms | | | | Physical therapy is done to stretch the muscles in the |
| of frozen shoulder. To do this, they many try any | | | | shoulder joint; however, most physicians will |
| number of different treatments, such as acupuncture | | | | recommend that no exercises be done unless under |
| or injections. Frozen shoulder symptoms, such as pain | | | | the direct supervision of a licensed physical therapist. |
| and stiffness, can usually be reduced or sometimes | | | | Because of the sticky nature of the condition, it is very |
| alleviated all together with the right combination of | | | | easy to damage the joint further by overexerting or |
| treatments. | | | | incorrectly performing an exercise. |
| Of the treatments available, physical therapy for | | | | Whatever the case, a patient should always |
| frozen shoulder is the one that is most argued about. | | | | remember that physical therapy for frozen shoulder |
| The effectiveness of the physical therapy is the | | | | can help to relieve the pain and stiffness, but it will |
| question. Frozen shoulder, by nature, will heal itself with | | | | probably only be effective if done during the first or |
| time and many physicians feel that they simply do not | | | | last stage of the condition. There are three stages to |
| wish to expose their patient to any more pain and | | | | frozen shoulder. The first stage is called the freezing |
| suffering than they are probably already going through. | | | | stage. At this point, the stiffness is just starting to set in |
| Many, however, still believe that some amount of | | | | and there is still some sort of mobility in the joint. |
| physical therapy for frozen shoulder can be beneficial | | | | The last stage is similar, except that the patient will |
| if done at the right time in the progress of the condition. | | | | gradually begin to realize a return in their range of |
| This physical therapy is aimed at relieving both pain | | | | motion. Either of these stages will benefit by some |
| and stiffness and will typically consist of both massage | | | | daily stretching exercises and massage to relieve the |
| and stretching exercises. The massage part of the | | | | inflammation. During the frozen stage, the physical |
| physical therapy may be a two step process that | | | | therapy will most likely be very limited in its |
| consists of either a manual massage or a manual | | | | effectiveness and will cause the patient unnecessary |
| manipulation (chiropractic), and a deep heat massage, | | | | pain. |
| usually done through ultrasound. | | | | |