| You've been to the doctor. He's told you that the | | | | your success will be limited because most of the time |
| sudden pain and stiffness in your arm is a condition | | | | you will not feel up to it. Break your routine up into 8-10 |
| called adhesive capsulitis. He sends you to a physical | | | | short 10-15 minute sessions, scheduled every hour to |
| therapist who not only puts you through a grueling | | | | 1.5 hours. It sounds like a lot but frequent short bursts |
| exercise session in the clinic, but then proceeds to give | | | | of exercise works very well when treating this |
| you more exercises to do at home. You wonder if this | | | | condition. |
| frozen shoulder home program is necessary and will it | | | | - Involve a partner on some of your sessions for |
| absolutely make a difference. Well, in a word, yes. A | | | | passive stretching. Instruct them ahead of time on the |
| home exercise program, if properly designed, is crucial | | | | particular stretches they will help you perform. Make |
| as part of the overall treatment for adhesive capsulitis. | | | | sure they know that you are in control of the intensity, |
| Here are some tips to assure success with your | | | | which should be "mild to medium" and never to the |
| program: | | | | point of sharp or unbearable pain. Consult your |
| - Your home routine should begin with instructions on | | | | therapist or doctor on which exercises are safe to |
| the use of heat and ice. In general, heat before | | | | involve a partner. |
| stretching and ice afterwards. Caution should be taken | | | | - If you are taking pain medication try to time it where |
| with those who have diabetes, compromised | | | | you are taking your meds about 1/2 hour prior to your |
| sensation, or skin sensitivities. 3-4 exercise sessions | | | | more intense sessions, but never more than you |
| per day should include heat and ice. | | | | doctor has prescribed. This will allow the medication to |
| - If passive or active assisted range of motion is | | | | maximally take effect. If you wait until after your |
| indicated, exercises should address the scapular region | | | | exercise you will be less successful in reducing the |
| first, then progressing to the shoulder. Distal joints | | | | amount of pain. |
| should be included as well as these tend to get tight | | | | In short, a frozen shoulder home program is a crucial |
| due to limited use. | | | | adjunct to your overall treatment of your stiff and |
| - Pre-plan your exercise times and stick to your | | | | painful arm. If correctly designed and planned it can |
| schedule. If you are counting on doing your frozen | | | | mean the difference between weeks or months to full |
| shoulder home program just when you feel like it then | | | | function and relief. |