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Category: Arthritis Physical Therapy

New Age Physical TherapyBlogArthritis Physical Therapy
Frozen Shoulder
By Nirav Shah Arthritis Physical Therapy, New Age Blog, Physical Therapy, shoulder pain physical therapy, Uncategorized , ,

Physical Therapy for Frozen Shoulder

Frozen shoulder (adhesive capsulitis) is characterized by joint stiffness and pain in the shoulder. It is accompanied by pain that gets worse around the evening time and becomes harder to lift and/or rotate the shoulder. 

There are normally no critical discoveries in the patient’s set of experiences, clinical assessment or radiographic assessment to make sense of the deficiency of movement or torment.

There are 2 categories of frozen shoulder which are divided into primary and secondary capsulitis. Primary frozen shoulder is frequently connected with diabetes, and with a patient that has no known indication of diabetes, he or she may be tested for it as well. Other than diabetes, they can also be from thyroid or Parkinson’s disease. 

Secondary adhesive capsulitis can happen after shoulder wounds or immobilization. Usually, after an injury, the patient is advised not to move the shoulder for a length of time, which may or may not trigger a frozen shoulder and delay recovery time.

There are 3 stages to the frozen shoulder which are comprised of freezing, frozen, and defrosting stages. The 1st st stage can last anywhere between two to nine months in which the pain will be at its peak. 

At the frozen stage (which can keep going for a year) is where the pain will start to decrease with a loss of the shoulder’s range of motion, particularly the forward movement as well as the rotational movement. The defrosting stage is where the patient will encounter a progressive return of movement which can take five to twenty-six months.

Doctors will often recommend NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) for the pain and stiffness. However, if the pain gets intolerable, the doctor may use a steroid injection to reduce inflammation which in turn will help with the pain. One thing to note is that studies have shown using steroids along with physical therapy had a greater impact on recovery than the injection alone. 

It is best to get a jump-start on physical therapy as soon as possible to shorten the length of time you have to go through with having frozen shoulder. Your treatment and exercises will vary depending on the stage that you are in. The physical therapist will also advise you to perform specific exercises at home that will boost your recovery. 

If you or someone you know is suffering from shoulder pain, it is strongly advised to check with the doctor early on and to see a physical therapist at Physical Therapy Great Neck, NY. Remember that this is a long process. Give yourself patience and grace as there will be ups and downs. 

Also Read: What Should You Know About Shoulder Injury Rehabilitation?

Arthritis Physical Therapy
By nxg Arthritis Physical Therapy, Fitness ,

How Physical Therapy Works for Arthritis Pain?

Are you experiencing inflammation, pain, and/or stiffness in your joints? If so, a possible cause may be arthritis. It may be accompanied by a limited range of motion as joints are too inflamed to move. Arthritis is quite common, in fact, there are more types of arthritis then you know. It can affect men, women, and even children.

The most common are osteoarthritis which onsets from wear and tear of cartilage and rheumatoid arthritis that occurs from an overactive immune system. It’s important to treat the specific condition as it can interfere with work or everyday activities. Physical therapy has been proven to be highly effective in treating the effects of arthritis.

A physical therapist will create an individualized treatment plan based on your diagnoses and pain level. The goal should be to improve mobility by restoring the use of affected joints and to increase strength for joint support. Your physical therapist may also focus on increasing flexibity, coordination, and balance if appropriate.

He/she will provide knowledge on exercises to do at home and what activities to avoid. Depending on their condition, patients may be advised to use assistive devices such as a cane or walker to relieve pressure. The physical therapists will work consistently with patients to maintain progress and safe return to daily activities.

It’s important for patients to adhere to their exercise regimen as regular physical activity can keep surrounding muscles strong, decrease bone loss, reduce stiffness, and control swelling and pain. Exercising can also enhance energy and stamina, thereby, decrease fatigue and improve sleep. Patients with arthritis who are overweight can forsee additional benefits as exercising can promote long-term weight management.

Besides exercises, your treatment program may consist of manual therapy. Evidence shows that joint and soft tissue mobilization can help patients relieve pain and stiffness. Specific modalities may be used during treatments such as a hot/cold pack and electrical stimulation to relieve pain.

These techniques can increase blood flow, reduce inflammation, reduce pain, and enhance mobility. Thus, it’s important to consult your doctor to see if physical therapy is appropriate for you as it can be a safer alternative to surgery and pain medications.