Behandlung einer „frozen shoulder“ nach dem Fasziendistorsionsmodell

The diagnosis “frozen shoulder” describes a phenomenon of painfully restricted shoulder mobility. The pathomechanisms underlying this condition remain only partially understood and it is controversially discussed how an effective treatment strategy should proceed.

The aim of this case study is to demonstrate the concrete procedure according to the fascial distortion model (FDM) in the assessment and treatment of a patient with a “frozen shoulder” and to discuss the applied examination and treatment techniques.

The 51-year-old patient had been suffering from severe shoulder pain and mobility impairment for about 6 months. During the physical examination, his complaints could be reproduced by “pinching” the subcutaneous connective tissue, and a clear difference between the affected and non-affected side was identified. According to the FDM the complaints were attributed to fascial distortions and treated with respective techniques.

Eighteen 30-min therapy sessions were conducted over a period of 5 months. Thereby, the patient’s pain and limitations in everyday life were considerably reduced and his shoulder mobility was significantly improved.

This case study has demonstrated that a patient with the diagnosis “frozen shoulder” could be treated effectively with FDM. The subcutaneous connective tissue played an important role in the assessment as well as in the treatment.