Patients diagnosed with a frozen shoulder or rotator cuff problems often question when their shoulder pain during exercise is interfering with healing or prolonging the return of normal function. The fact is certain types of shoulder pain is expected and should not limit your frozen shoulder exercise program if you follow a few simple guidelines:

First it is important to distinguish between signals of pain that indicate damage is being done and pain that is an expected part of the rehab process. Shoulder pain that is causing further damage often is described as sharp, shooting, radiating, or tearing. This type of pain is indicative of over-stretching or pushing range of motion too far thereby causing micro tears in viable tissues. Conversely, pain described as achy, pulling, pressure, or stretchy is typically expected if the individual is stretching or ranging their shoulder appropriately as prescribed by their physician or physical therapist. This pain is short-term and often relieved within 30 minutes to 1 hour following frozen shoulder exercise. However, any pain induced by exercise that lasts longer than this should be monitored and possibly reported to a physician or therapist.

Next, any shoulder pain during exercise associated with terms such as tingling, burning, or numbness, or pain that causes swelling, redness, or changes in skin color or appearance may be a sign of a deeper problem and should be stopped immediately.

When adhering to the above guidelines, frozen shoulder exercise or exercise for shoulder pain can be followed safely and maximize gains.