Frozen Shoulder Management and Manual Treatment Strategies

Shoulder dysfunctions causing painful stiffness are endemic issues, causing clinical challenges and conflicting treatment guidelines. Common terminology of frozen shoulder and adhesive capsulitis share significant and long duration impairments. This advanced course reviews pathophysiology of these conditions, the natural history associated with idiopathic frozen shoulder and essential assessment findings. 

Based on updated scientific evidence, a review and compilation of available interventions of conservative, medical and invasive options is presented. The role of manual therapy methodology is featured. Due to variability in patient progress and manual therapy approaches, specific guidelines on type, timing, position and amplitude are investigated to standardize joint mobilization efforts. Finally, treatment program principles of patient education, suggested number of visits, daily clinical visit structure, management of plateaus and beneficial integration with medical/invasive procedures are discussed. The purpose of this course is to provide clinicians with an evidenced- based approach on treating frozen shoulder and associated conditions.