Can’t move the shoulder and feel stiffness? The shoulder is getting painful. As time passes, the shoulder gets stiff, resulting in no movement. So, it’s highly advisable to start physiotherapy once you recognise the pain of frozen shoulder, as its treatment requires time and consistency.

Let’s understand the Timeline for recovery-

1. The Minimum Physiotherapy Duration is 6 weeks.
2. Full recovery with physiotherapy will be around 6 months to 1 year.
3. The typical frozen shoulder requires 12 -18 months.
4. Full shoulder function restoration needs up to 1 year (with regular physiotherapy)
5. In rare cases, physiotherapy can stretch up to 2-3 years.

However, more than 90% patients will benefit with physiotherapy sessions.

Why does recovery take so long?

Frozen shoulder has three distinct stages, and each has its own timeline of recovery.

1. Freezing Stage (2-9 months) – The range of motion decreases significantly, and thus, pain increases.
2. Frozen Stage (4-12 months) – Stiffness remains the dominant problem, but pain may decrease.
3. Thawing Stage (5-24 months) – Shoulder movement gradually improves.

To prevent worsening stiffness, physiotherapy should start in the early stage. However, physiotherapy is most effective during the thawing stage.

What Physiotherapy Involves?

A personalized Physiotherapy treatment will definitely help you;

1. Range of motion exercise helps to restore movement.
2. Stretching routine helps to loosen tight ligaments.
3. Strengthening exercises are used for surrounding stiff muscles.
4. Home exercise program is critical to practice regularly.

A commitment to exercise on a regular basis is necessary to regain the movement and get back to your daily life activities smoothly.

Tips for faster recovery

If you need a fast recovery, then these points will definitely help you with –

1. Home Exercise – Exercise on a daily basis will help your shoulder muscles to move and thus reduce the stiffness.
2. Physiotherapy sessions – It’s important to attend all physiotherapy sessions scheduled with your therapist.
3. Injections (If needed) – According to the therapist, if Steroid injections are needed, then use it with prescribed medications and then do exercise as per advice.
4. Avoid Activities – Try to avoid activities that worsen your pain, but that doesn’t mean you can’t stay active.
5. Be patient – Yes, that’s most important. Recovery takes time, recovery is slow, but regular exercise will show progress.

At last, it’s important to follow the physiotherapist’s instructions while performing the exercise.

When Physiotherapy isn’t enough

In rare cases, Surgery may be needed as solely physiotherapy is not enough. These conditions-

1. With consistent physiotherapy sessions, the stiffness still remains the same, and the duration goes beyond 6-12 months.
2. While performing physiotherapy sessions, the stiffness gets significantly worse.
3. The pain remains constant or even severe despite treatment efforts.

The Final words

For Frozen shoulder, physiotherapy is the golden treatment for patient as it makes them feel more relaxing. But don’t expect that one session will heal you properly, it will take atleast 6 months to a year for full or partial functional movement. However, 90% people will recover completely even without surgery.

The key is commitment to regular exercise and patience. If you are facing frozen shoulder, then physiotherapy will help you out.