Tag Archives: shoulder pain

How to Treat a Frozen Shoulder: Physio 101

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What is Frozen Shoulder?

Frozen shoulder, also called adhesive capsulitis, involves stiffness and pain in the shoulder joint. The shoulder joint is enclosed in a capsule of connective tissue. Then, frozen shoulder occurs when this capsule thickens and tightens around the shoulder joint, restricting its movement.

What does a typical case look like?

Often, signs and symptoms begin slowly, and start getting worse. Over a long period of time, symptoms get better, usually within 1 to 3 years. Additionally, having to keep a shoulder still for a long period increases the risk of developing frozen shoulder. For example, this might happen after having surgery or breaking an arm.

Treatment involves range-of-motion exercises. Sometimes, treatment involves corticosteroids and numbing medications injected into the joint. Rarely, arthroscopic surgery is needed to loosen the joint capsule so that it can move more freely.
It’s unusual for this condition r to reoccur in the same shoulder, but some people can develop it in the other shoulder, usually within five years.

What are the stages of a frozen shoulder?

Frozen shoulder typically develops slowly in three stages.

  • Freezing stage – Any movement of the shoulder causes pain, and the shoulder’s ability to move becomes limited. This stage lasts from 2 to 9 months.
  • Frozen stage – Pain might lessen during this stage. However, the shoulder becomes stiffer and using it becomes more difficult. This stage lasts from 4 to 12 months.
  • Thawing stage – The shoulder’s ability to move begins to improve. This stage lasts from 5 to 24 months. For some people, the pain worsens at night, and can disrupt sleep.

Who develops frozen shoulder?

Certain factors may increase the risk of developing frozen shoulder.

1. Age and sex: Firstly, people aged 40 years and older and women

2. Immobility or reduced mobility: Secondly, people who’ve had to keep a shoulder still (i.e in a sling, immobilized). This restricted movement can be the result of many factors, including:

  • Rotator cuff injury
  • Broken arm
  • Stroke
  • Recovery from surgery
Immobolization increases the risk of developing frozen shoulder

Periods of immobilization like above increase the risk of developing frozen shoulder. Sling is Rolyan Deluxe Shoulder Immobiliser Sling

3. Systemic diseases: Finally, people who have certain diseases appear more likely to develop frozen shoulder. As an example, this may include:

  • Diabetes
  • Overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism)
  • Underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism)
  • Cardiovascular disease
  • Parkinson’s disease

Frozen Shoulder and Physiotherapy

Fortunately, most cases can be managed in the primary care setting. Clinicians are encouraged to start the treatment with patient education. Explaining the natural progression of the condition often helps to reduce frustration and fear.

Common conservative treatments include nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), glucocorticoids given orally or as intra-articular injections, and/or physical therapy. Additionally, physical therapy has been shown to bring about pain relief and return of functional motion. Particularly, when used in combination with physical therapy, NSAIDs were proven to be more effective as compared to using NSAIDs alone.

Physiotherapy for each stage of frozen shoulder

Physical therapy and home exercises can be a first-line treatment, with consideration of the patient’s symptoms and stage of the condition.

  1. Freezing Stage: In the freezing (painful) stage, gentle stretching exercises can be done but should be kept within a short duration (1–5 seconds) and not go beyond the patient’s pain threshold.
  2. Frozen Stage: In the frozen (adhesive) stage, strengthening exercises can be added to the patient’s exercises for maintenance of muscle strength.
  3. Thawing Stage: In the thawing stage, the patient experiences a gradual return of range of motion; both stretching and strengthening exercises can increase in intensity, with a longer holding duration.

Assisted stretching and range of motion for the shoulder. Image by Freepik

What do I do if I have shoulder problems?

If you are experiencing any such above symptoms, our team of qualified physiotherapists at PhysioNow are ready to help! We will assist you and guide you through personalized treatment that will help you to improve mobility and quality of life. Book your first appointment with PhysioNow today!

How to Treat a Rotator Cuff Tear: Physio 101

Man with shoulder pain from rotator cuff tear

Image by Freepik

The rotator cuff is a group of muscles and tendons that surround the shoulder joint, keeping the head of the upper arm bone firmly within the shallow socket of the shoulder. Unfortunately, a rotator cuff tear injuries are fairly common and increase in occurrence with age.

What causes a rotator cuff tear?

  • Accident/trauma – Ex. Falling, broken collarbone, dislocated shoulder
  • Bone spurs – Bony growths can form on the top of your shoulder bone. Consequently, these bone spurs rub against your tendon when you lift your arm. This shoulder impingement creates friction between your bone and tendon. Eventually, a partial or complete tear may occur
  • Decreased blood flow – Blood flow to your rotator cuff decreases as you get older. Your muscles and tendons need a healthy blood supply to repair themselves. If blood doesn’t nourish your tendons, they can tear
  • Overuse – Repetitive shoulder movements during sports such as Recreational and professional athletes who play baseball, softball and tennis or are part of a rowing crew. or on the job such as carpenting, mechanics, painter can stress your muscles and tendons, causing a tear

What are the symptoms?

  • Difficulty, pain and weakness caused by raising, lowering or rotating your arm
  • Popping, clicking or crackling sounds or sensations when moving your arm in certain positions
  • Shoulder pain that worsens at night or when resting your arm
  • Shoulder weakness and struggling to lift items

How is it treated?

Initially, conservative, or nonsurgical, treatments will be used for a rotator cuff injury. These treatments may include:

  • An arm sling and rest to give your shoulder time to heal. Additionally, you may need to modify activities and stop certain work or sports for a period of time
  • Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) may help minimize pain and swelling
  • Physical therapy to learn strengthening and stretching exercises
  • Steroid injections to help ease pain and swelling.

Rotator Cuff Tears and Physiotherapy

Image by Freepik

Firstly, physiotherapy (PT) is a great way to get back strength and movement after an injury. It includes things like exercise, ice, heat, massage, and equipment to help return your shoulder back to its normal range of motion and strength. Unless the injury is severe, physiotherapy is the typical starting point for a rotator cuff tear.

Your physical therapist will ask questions about your life and the things you do. Then, they’ll do some tests to learn more about your pain and function.  Ultimately, the goal will be to help you:

  • Get back your range of motion
  • Learn exercises to strengthen your shoulder muscles
  • Improve the way you sit and stand (your posture) to help reduce pain
  • Find a way to sleep that doesn’t hurt your shoulder
  • Learn to carry objects safely
  • Use ice or heat to ease the pain
  • Understand why you need to keep moving
  • Find ways to do things so that they don’t hurt your shoulder
  • Return to your regular activities (be patient — this can take a while)

Furthermore, if your injury does require surgery, PT is an integral part of post-operative rehabilitation. Overall, It’s the same idea — to improve strength and movement and get back to regular life. The therapist will show you how not to injure your shoulder
again after surgery. Then, they will progressively increase your strength, mobility, and functional abilities.

What do I do if I have shoulder pain?

At PhysioNow, we will help you to recover, pay attention to your pain and find best way to heal your injured shoulder and keep it as strong as possible. Book your first appointment with PhysioNow today!

Shoulder Dislocation Treatment Mississauga

Shoulder Dislocation Treatment Mississauga

Shoulder Dislocation Treatment Mississauga

Shoulder Dislocation Treatment Mississauga

What leads to shoulder dislocation?Shoulder Dislocation Treatment Mississauga can help!

Many people who have had a dislocated shoulder often refer back to the incident as being so sudden. All that they remember is hearing a loud click and the feeling of excruciating pain immediately after the injury. Yes! they could actually feel the shoulder as it is wrenched out of the socket. It can be a very dreadful experience!!!

That’s when you need Shoulder Dislocation Treatment Mississauga!.
Depending on the severity of injury, Shoulder Dislocation Treatment Mississauga varies. Generally, your doctor orders an X-Ray and Ultrasound to determine the extent of the injury.

Shoulder dislocation classifications:

Shoulder dislocations are classified depending on your symptoms and X-Ray findings. This helps to decide which general guidelines to follow for treating your dislocated shoulder.

Usually, a shoulder sling is provided to maintain the shoulder in a neutral position and offload your shoulder muscles. Depending on your doctor’s advice, they may want you to wear the sling for three to four weeks. Check out this website for a bit more information: Orthoinfo.

How can a Registered Physiotherapist Mississauga help to rehabilitate your shoulder?

A Registered Physiotherapist Mississauga can aid in faster recovery of your dislocated shoulder. Shoulder dislocation treatment Mississauga can get you to start using your shoulder. It will help you to get back to dressing, combing, grooming, eating, lifting objects etc.

Right after injury, Shoulder Dislocation Treatment Mississauga uses modalities such as ultrasound and a muscle stimulator. These electrical modalities bring more blood to the area (fresh oxygen and nutrients. It also calms down the inflammation in the shoulder.

Once you immobilize your shoulder in a sling, it tends to get stiff. Your shoulder muscles develop a lot of spasm and tightness due to lack of motion.

A Registered Physiotherapist Mississauga will mobilize your shoulder joint. The goal is to prevent any complications . A Registered Physiotherapist Mississauga will educate you regarding the use of a sling.

Shoulder Dislocation Prevention

The Registered Physiotherapist will also show you certain positions/activities to be avoided. We want to help you to prevent another shoulder dislocation when the tissues are healing.

Shoulder Dislocation Treatment Mississauga incorporates strengthening exercises. Typically this would include using Theraband, weight cuffs or pulleys to increase the strength in your shoulder muscles. This will help to stabilize your shoulder.

Registered Massage Therapy after Shoulder Dislocation

Registered Massage Therapy is also very helpful to reduce muscle spasm in the neck and shoulder. It reduces pain, spasm and general overall shoulder tightness.

PhysioNow has excellent Registered Physiotherapists and Registered Massage Therapists at all of our locations in Mississauga. Check us out and book an appointment today! We can Help!

Neck Pain

Neck Pain

Neck Pain

It is hard for me to remember the last day that I did not use a computer. Whether for home banking, doing reports or surfing the net, computer use is becoming more and more vital to everyday life and interaction. However, with all of this increased computer time, you must be aware of posture and positioning to avoid neck pain and shoulder pain.

Ergonomics

The study of proper positioning when working is called ergonomics. It is common that someone who works a lot on a computer will have an ergonomist come and do an individualized assessment of their work station. This will leave them with suggestions on how to improve their area to minimize stress on their bodies and avoid the most common neck pain and injuries seen with constant computer use. However there are common suggestions that everyone can follow for home and work.

The first rule is that your elbow and hips should be bent to 90 degrees while your screen is at eye level. First change the height of your chair so that your elbows are bent to 90 degrees and comfortably reaching the keyboard. Use a tray to pull the keyboard towards your stomach so your arms can rest comfortably at your sides. Also, use a wireless keyboard if you are planning on being on a laptop for a long time. Often, when we raise the chair to the proper height your feet are not resting on the floor and your hips are not bent to 90 degrees. If this is the case, use a small stool or foot rest. Finally check the height of your monitor. You should not have to look up or down to see the screen clearly. Use a book, some paper or a riser to make sure that the screen is directly in front of you.

If you are still uncertain, or find that you have neck pain or headaches after computer use, talk to your physiotherapist. They will be able to customize your space and make it as comfortable, and as safe, as possible.