Frozen Shoulder Treatment in Barrie
Has your shoulder become painful and stiff for no clear reason? Struggling to reach overhead, behind your back, or get comfortable at night? Our Physiotherapists can confirm what is going on and guide you through each stage of frozen shoulder.
- One-on-one assessment with a Registered Physiotherapist
- Advanced Manual Therapy (FCAMPT) and a stage-by-stage exercise plan
- Direct billing to most insurance providers
- Downtown Barrie at 105 Collier Street
Prefer to talk first? Call or text (705) 279-2759
Does This Sound Familiar?
- A deep, aching shoulder pain that started gradually
- Pain at night that makes it hard to sleep
- Stiffness in every direction, especially turning your arm outwards
- Trouble reaching behind your back, doing your hair, or putting on a coat
- Stiffness that stays even when the pain starts to ease
Common Causes We Assess
- Being between 40 and 60 years old, and more often in women
- Diabetes, which makes frozen shoulder much more common
- Thyroid conditions
- A period of not moving your arm, such as after surgery, a fracture, or wearing a sling
- A previous shoulder injury
- Often, no clear cause at all
Frozen shoulder can look like other shoulder problems in its early stages, so an accurate assessment matters. That is why every visit starts with a thorough assessment.
What Is Frozen Shoulder?
Frozen shoulder, also called adhesive capsulitis, affects the capsule, the strong, flexible tissue that surrounds the shoulder joint. The capsule becomes inflamed, then thickened and tight, which limits how far the shoulder can move in every direction.
Unlike most shoulder problems, frozen shoulder limits movement even when someone else tries to move your arm for you. That is one of the key signs your Physiotherapist will look for.
The Three Stages of Frozen Shoulder
- Freezing (painful) stage: pain builds up, especially at night, and movement starts to tighten. This stage often lasts a few months.
- Frozen (stiff) stage: pain usually eases, but the shoulder stays stiff. This stage can last several months.
- Thawing stage: movement gradually returns. This stage can take many months.
The whole process often takes one to three years, and the stages can overlap. Knowing which stage you are in helps guide the right treatment.
How We Assess Frozen Shoulder
Your Physiotherapist will ask about your symptoms, your health history, and how your shoulder has changed over time. We will compare how far your shoulder moves on its own and when we move it for you, test your strength, and check your neck. We will also rule out other causes of a stiff shoulder, such as arthritis or a rotator cuff problem, and refer you to your doctor if an X-ray or further testing is needed.
Frozen Shoulder Treatment at Excite Physiotherapy
Treatment depends on your stage. Early on, the focus is on easing pain. Later, it shifts to regaining movement and strength. Depending on your assessment, treatment may include:
- Education and pain relief strategies so you understand each stage and know what to expect
- Gentle movement within comfort during the painful stage, without forcing stretches
- Advanced Manual Therapy (joint mobilization) to help restore movement in the stiff and thawing stages
- Progressive stretching and strengthening as pain settles
- IMS / dry needling for tight muscles around the shoulder and upper back
- Working with your doctor if an injection could help with pain
Do Injections or Surgery Help?
A corticosteroid injection from your doctor can ease pain in the early stage and works best alongside Physiotherapy. Some people are offered hydrodilatation, an injection that stretches the capsule. Surgery is rarely needed and is usually reserved for shoulders that stay very stiff despite treatment.
What Recovery Usually Looks Like
Frozen shoulder takes time, and most people regain most of their movement as it resolves. Physiotherapy focuses on easing pain, keeping as much movement as possible, and rebuilding strength as the shoulder thaws, so you can stay as active as possible along the way.
Not Sure Whether Physiotherapy Is Right for You?
Book a complimentary 15-minute discovery call with one of our Physiotherapists. It is a short online chat where you can ask questions before you book an assessment.
What to Expect at Your First Visit
- We listen. Your Physiotherapist will ask about your symptoms, your work, your activity, and what you want to get back to.
- We assess. A hands-on assessment of your shoulder and neck helps identify what is contributing to your pain, and screens for anything that needs a doctor’s attention.
- We make a plan together. You will leave with a clear explanation of what is going on, a treatment plan, and exercises you can start at home.
Please wear a tank top or loose t-shirt so we can see and move your shoulder. Read more about your first Physiotherapy appointment.
When to Get Urgent Medical Care
Go to the emergency department or call 911 if your shoulder pain comes with any of these:
- Chest pain, shortness of breath, sweating, or nausea, especially with left shoulder or arm pain
- A shoulder that looks deformed or that you cannot move after a fall or injury
- A red, hot, swollen shoulder with a fever
- Sudden weakness or numbness in your arm along with face drooping or trouble speaking
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a doctor’s referral?
No referral is needed to see a Physiotherapist in Ontario. Some insurance plans require one for reimbursement, so check your plan if you are unsure.
Will my frozen shoulder go away on its own?
Frozen shoulder usually does improve over time, but it can take a long while, and some people are left with some stiffness. Physiotherapy helps you manage pain and keep and regain movement through each stage.
Should I stretch through the pain?
Not in the painful stage. Forcing stretches can make the shoulder more irritated. Your Physiotherapist will show you gentle movements that suit your stage and progress them as your shoulder settles.
Can frozen shoulder come back?
It rarely comes back in the same shoulder, but some people develop it in the other shoulder later on, especially people with diabetes.
Is Physiotherapy covered by insurance?
Physiotherapy is covered by most extended health plans, and we direct bill to many insurers. See our FAQ page for the full list.
Where are you located?
Excite Physiotherapy is at 105 Collier Street in downtown Barrie, Ontario.
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Ready to Take the Next Step?
Book online in a few minutes and choose a time that works for you.
Or call or text (705) 279-2759
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info@excitephysio.com
Hours:
Mon: 8:30 am to 7 pm
Tue and Wed: 7:30 am to 7 pm
Thu: 8:30 am to 7 pm
Fri: 7:30 am to 3:30 pm
Sat and Sun: Closed
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Whether you are experiencing back pain for the first or have been suffering with pain for years, we have the experience and the skills necessary to help you get relief quickly. Located downtown Barrie, Ontario.
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We acknowledge that we are on the traditional territory of Anishinaabeg people, which include the Odawa, Ojibwe, and Pottawatomi Nations collectively known as the Three Fires Confederacy. We are dedicated to moving forward in the spirit of respect and reconciliation by honoring the history and culture of Indigenous people.
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