Frozen Shoulder Treatment in Corsham
If you are looking for frozen shoulder treatment in Corsham, our experienced Physiotherapists can assess your shoulder pain and stiffness , identify the likely stage of your condition, and advise on the most appropriate treatment options.
What is Frozen Shoulder?
Frozen shoulder (also known as adhesive capsulitis) is a painful condition that affects the shoulder joint, causing increasing stiffness and loss of movement.
Many people notice that it begins gradually, with pain becoming worse over time before stiffness starts to limit everyday activities such as dressing, reaching overhead or fastening a seatbelt.
Although frozen shoulder often improves eventually, symptoms can last anywhere from several months to two years or more without appropriate management.
What are the symptoms of Frozen Shoulder?
Common symptoms include:
- Shoulder pain that gradually becomes worse
- Pain at night, often disturbing sleep
- Increasing stiffness in all directions of shoulder movement
- Difficulty reaching overhead or behind your back
- Difficulty putting on a coat or fastening clothing
- Occasionally pain travelling down the arm
Unlike some shoulder problems, frozen shoulder usually causes restriction of movement in almost every direction.
What causes Frozen Shoulder?
The exact cause is still not fully understood.
The condition is thought to involve inflammation and tightening of the capsule surrounding the shoulder joint, leading to pain and progressive stiffness.
Certain factors appear to increase the likelihood of developing frozen shoulder, including:
- Diabetes
- Previous shoulder injury or fracture
- Previous shoulder surgery
- Being over the age of 50
- Women are affected more commonly than men
In our clinical experience, posture and prolonged periods spent in static positions may also contribute to shoulder problems, although every patient is different and a full assessment is important.
How do we assess Frozen Shoulder?
One of the most important parts of treatment is confirming that the problem really is frozen shoulder.
Other shoulder conditions such as rotator cuff injuries, arthritis or referred pain from the neck can sometimes produce similar symptoms.
During your assessment, we will examine:
- Shoulder movement
- Pain pattern
- Strength
- Neck function
- Posture
- Functional limitations
From this assessment we can usually determine whether physiotherapy is likely to be the appropriate first-line treatment or whether further medical investigation or referral may be advisable.
How is Frozen Shoulder treated?
Treatment depends on the stage of the condition and the severity of symptoms.
The initial aim is usually to reduce pain, improve comfort and maintain as much movement as possible. As symptoms settle, treatment focuses more on restoring movement, strength and function.
Depending on your individual assessment, treatment may include:
- Hands-on joint mobilisation techniques
- Medical acupuncture
- Laser therapy
- Pulsed shortwave therapy
- Individual rehabilitation exercises
- Postural advice and movement education
Where appropriate, we may also discuss other treatment options with you, including corticosteroid injections or referral for specialist opinion. If you have already received an injection or undergone surgery, physiotherapy can often play an important role in helping restore movement and function during recovery.
How long does Frozen Shoulder last?
Recovery varies considerably.
Some patients improve over several months, while others experience symptoms for up to two years.
Although frozen shoulder is often described as a self-limiting condition, treatment aims to:
- reduce pain
- improve movement
- help maintain day-to-day function
- support recovery throughout each stage of the condition
Every patient progresses differently, which is why an individual assessment is important.
Why choose Corsham Physiotherapy?
At Corsham Physiotherapy, we aim not simply to diagnose frozen shoulder but to understand how it is affecting your life and what stage of recovery you are in.
Our experienced physiotherapists provide individual assessment and treatment, helping you understand your condition and advising when physiotherapy is likely to help and when additional medical intervention may be appropriate.
Book a Frozen Shoulder Assessment
If shoulder pain and stiffness are affecting your sleep, work or everyday activities, we would be happy to assess your symptoms and discuss the most appropriate treatment options.
Book your initial appointment with Corsham Physiotherapy today. Please call our friendly reception team to book in, all of our contact details can be found by clicking here