How Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy Can Help You Manage Frozen Shoulder
We recently worked with a patient who came to us after struggling with shoulder pain for several months. While she hoped it would go away on its own, it only got worse over time. When she visited us, she was also struggling to lift her shoulder overhead or reach behind her back.
This patient had developed adhesive capsulitis, more commonly known as frozen shoulder. It gets that name from the fact that the condition causes the shoulder to “freeze up” after a period of intense pain.
A frozen shoulder will eventually “unfreeze,” but that process can take anywhere from 1-3 years. Fortunately, the team at Teton Therapy can help you manage your symptoms and facilitate a more efficient recovery.
What Causes Frozen Shoulder?
The condition develops when the capsule of connective tissue that wraps around your shoulder thickens and tightens, restricting the joint. However, researchers aren’t entirely clear why this happens. Certain factors can increase your risk:
- Being a woman between the age of 40 and 60 years old
- Having certain diseases, including diabetes, thyroid conditions, or cardiovascular disease
- Immobilizing your shoulder after an injury or surgery.
Understanding the Three Phases Of Frozen Shoulder
One reason frozen shoulder recovery can take so long is that the condition progresses through three distinct phases, each with its own set of symptoms and concerns. Here’s what you need to know about each one:
Freezing Phase
This initial stage is marked by increasing pain and stiffness in the shoulder. During this phase, we focus on maintaining your shoulder’s range of motion to help reduce stiffness and improve comfort.
Duration
Anywhere from six weeks to nine months
Symptoms
- A gradual onset of pain that worsens with movement
- Increased stiffness in the shoulder
- Pain is often worse at night, disrupting sleep
Frozen Phase
The frozen stage involves less pain but greater stiffness, significantly restricting your shoulder’s movement. We’ll focus on improving your shoulder’s mobility using stretching or manual therapy techniques.
Duration
Anywhere from four to six months
Symptoms
- Decreased pain compared to the freezing stage
- Significant stiffness and difficulty moving the shoulder
- Everyday movements like reaching overhead or behind the back become challenging
Thawing Phase
In the final stage, your pain decreases, and your shoulder’s range of motion gradually returns. However, it’s important to continue physical and occupational therapy to ensure you make a full recovery.
Duration
Anywhere from six months to two years
Symptoms
- Gradual improvement in mobility as scar tissue around the shoulder capsule begins to loosen and break down
- Pain continues to decrease
Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy and Frozen Shoulder: What You Need to Know
Physical and occupational therapy play an essential role in helping you manage frozen shoulder symptoms at all three stages. Our team will work with you to develop a comprehensive treatment program, pulling from a range of different techniques based on your current symptoms:
Acute Pain Management
- We’ll help you manage shoulder pain (especially in the freezing phase) with techniques such as dry needling, Kinesio taping, and more.
- We focus primarily on educating the patient on the use of heat/moist heat to increase blood flow to the shoulder, rather than using ice as a way to decrease inflammation. It is better to have faith in the body’s natural inflammatory process.
Manual Therapy
- Various hands-on techniques can gently mobilize the shoulder joint, improve joint capsule movement, and reduce pain.
Mobility Exercises
- Targeted exercises and techniques help improve your shoulder’s range of motion in all directions, gradually restoring your ability to reach, lift, and rotate your arm.
Strengthening Exercises
- Strengthening the muscles surrounding the shoulder joint enhances stability and supports improved function.
Management Strategies
- Understanding frozen shoulder is an integral part of managing it. We’ll help you navigate the difficulties of the condition, including identifying which stage you’re in and providing you with home exercises to help alleviate your symptoms.
The Complexity of the Shoulder Joint
Did you know the shoulder is the most mobile joint in the human body? This unique ball-and-socket joint allows for an impressive range of motion so you can reach overhead, throw a baseball, or go for a swim.
Unfortunately, this incredible mobility comes at a cost: instability and a high likelihood of injury. But if you understand the complexity of your shoulder joint, you’ll be well on your way to protecting it from damage.
How the Shoulder Joint Works
The shoulder joins three bones together in two different joints. The head of your upper arm bone fits in the shallow socket of your shoulder blade, forming the main joint of your shoulder. Your collarbone then connects the shoulder blade to your rib cage, forming the second joint.
However, several soft tissues also play a role in shoulder function, helping to provide additional support and stability:
Rotator Cuff
- A group of muscles and their tendons that surround the shoulder joint, providing stability and controlling movement.
Labrum
- A ring of cartilage that protects the shoulder socket.
Ligaments
- Bands of connective tissue that connect bones and provide support.
Additional Muscles
- In addition to your rotator cuff, numerous chest and upper back muscles contribute to shoulder movement and stability.
Understanding Shoulder Injuries
With all these moving parts, it’s no surprise that the shoulder is so vulnerable to injury! There are two main types of shoulder injuries you need to be aware of:
Acute Injuries
- These injuries happen suddenly, often due to a fall or direct blow to the shoulder. Examples include fractures, dislocations, or labral tears.
Overuse Injuries
- Overuse injuries develop due to repetitive overhead motions that strain the tissues in the shoulder, particularly the rotator cuff. They’re particularly common in sports like swimming, baseball, or weightlifting.
That said, not all shoulder injuries develop due to injuries. Degenerative changes in the shoulder joint, including age-related wear and tear or underlying conditions like arthritis, can cause the protective cartilage to break down, leading to pain and restricted mobility.
Dealing with Shoulder Pain? We Can Help
Regardless of the reason for your shoulder discomfort, the team at Teton Therapy can help you find lasting relief. Our physical therapists and occupational therapists have the knowledge and expertise to treat a range of shoulder injuries, help you rehabilitate after shoulder surgery, or teach you how to effectively manage degenerative conditions.
Schedule an appointment with us today to get started!
Ready to Break Free From the Icy Grip of Frozen Shoulder?
If you suspect you have frozen shoulder, schedule an appointment at Teton Therapy. Physical and occupational therapy are essential for managing the condition in all three phases, and the earlier you can begin treatment, the better your outcomes will be. Our team is here to help you manage pain, restore mobility, and understand your shoulder’s movement patterns.
Don’t let frozen shoulder hold you back. Call us today to schedule your initial evaluation!
Your Success Is Our Priority!
Ready to keep moving forward? Return to Teton Therapy and schedule your appointment now!
Patient Testimonial
“I can fish to my heart’s content without worrying about how much pain I will be in for the next few weeks! What I loved most about Teton Therapy was how much they cared about me, how we worked together to come up with solutions, and how welcome I felt coming to the clinic at each appointment.”
-C.W.
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Exercise of the Month
LUNGES
Stand tall with your feet hip-width apart. Step one foot backward and lower your back knee toward the floor, keeping your front knee aligned over your ankle. Push through your front heel to return to the starting position. Alternate legs with each rep.
3 Sets, 10 Reps (each leg).
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Tips for A Heart-Healthy Valentine’s Day!
This year, don’t forget the most important Valentine of all: your heart! With February being the month of love and American Heart Month, here are a few tips to combine them into one fabulous celebration:
- Try a heart-healthy treat: Pomegranate seeds, good dark chocolate, and sweet strawberries are all delicious alternatives to candy hearts.
- Take a ballroom dance class with your sweetheart: Nothing’s more romantic than a sweeping waltz or sultry tango. But ballroom dancing is also a great cardio workout–making it the perfect date night for American Heart Month!
- Sink into a relaxing bubble bath: Stress contributes to cardiovascular disease, so this month, set aside time to rest and relax with a bubble bath. Dim the lights, burn a few candles, and settle down with your favorite romantic read.
Want more healthy heart tips this February–or any month of the year? Schedule an appointment with Teton Therapy today!
Fall in love with every sip of this Valentine’s White Chocolate Raspberry Smoothie—creamy, sweet, and perfectly indulgent. It’s a deliciously romantic treat that feels like dessert but tastes even better shared (or savored solo). 💕
Teton Therapy’s Monthly Healthy Recipe
Valentine’s White Chocolate Raspberry Smoothie
- 1 tbsp white chocolate chips
- 1/2 cup nonfat vanilla Greek yogurt
- 3/4 cup frozen raspberries
- 1 cup almond milk/milk of choice
- 1/2 cup ice
- Fresh raspberries for garnish (optional)
In a small microwave-safe bowl, heat white chocolate chips about 30 seconds and stir until smooth and melted through. Set aside to cool slightly. Add all ingredients, including melted chocolate, to a blender (or bullet, food processor, etc). Blend until smooth. Pour into glasses and top with fresh berries. Enjoy!
February Word Scramble
lotacehoc
eeanlnitv
bauefrry
iprdinehfs
iwentr
aceornm
Answer Key
chocolate
valentine
february
friendship
winter
romance
Staff Spotlight
Zachary Schaller, MOT, OTR-L, Occupational Therapist
Zac Schaller, MOT, OTR/L, is an occupational therapist at Teton Therapy, treating patients in the Lander and Riverton clinics. Originally from Lancaster, Pennsylvania, Zac earned his Master of Occupational Therapy degree from Saint Francis University in 2020 and discovered his passion for outpatient rehabilitation during his Level II fieldwork. He joined Teton Therapy full-time in April of 2021 and is recognized as the clinic’s shoulder expert, specializing in outpatient shoulder rehabilitation with a focus on strength, stability, mobility, and injury prevention.
Zac’s treatment style emphasizes individualized care, functional movement, and patient education, empowering people to take an active role in their recovery and long-term wellness.
A Warm Welcome to Our New Team Members
We’re excited to welcome a few new faces to the Teton Physical Therapy family! Our newest team members bring fresh energy, skills, and a shared passion for helping our patients move and feel their best. Be sure to say hello when you see them around the clinic—we know they’ll feel right at home here! Welcome to the Team!
Nicole Swallow OTR/L
Olivia Wasinger, PTA
Justin Sanchez, PTA
