Adhesive capsulitis, more commonly known as ‘frozen shoulder’, is a condition in which the joint capsule of the shoulder becomes adhered to the humeral head. The result is a painful and global limitation of range of motion of the shoulder. At first the shoulder will be very painful to move, but some spontaneous recovery occurs over the course of several months to 2 years. The exact cause of adhesive capsulitis is unknown.
Can Physical Therapy help?
Although adhesive capsulitis is a difficult condition to treat, physical therapy can assist in speeding up recovery and allowing patients to return to their normal activities earlier than they would with no treatment. Physical therapists are trained to mobilize the shoulder joint and the painful capsule of the shoulder, in order to increase the shoulder’s range of motion. Physical therapists can also prescribe a program of exercises and stretches to keep the shoulder moving and allow for increased flexibility.