Frozen Shoulder Therapy: Relieve Pain & Restore Movement

Key Highlights:

• Frozen shoulder therapy is an effective approach to reduce pain, restore movement, and support daily function.
• Common causes include injury, surgery, diabetes, Parkinson’s disease, and periods of shoulder immobility.
• Treatment focuses on regaining motion through physical therapy, stretching exercises, home programs, and steroid injections.
• Recovery progresses through freezing, frozen, and thawing stages, often requiring several months to two years.
• Consistent stretching and early physiotherapy help reduce stiffness and lower the risk of long-term limitations.

Frozen shoulder therapy is a proven way to relieve pain, restore movement, and help you get back to your daily activities. Often referred to as adhesive capsulitis, frozen shoulder occurs when the shoulder’s joint capsule becomes inflamed and develops scar tissue. These tight portions of the joint capsule restrict motion, causing persistent stiffness and discomfort. This condition is most common in adults between 40 and 60 and may develop after an injury, surgery, or in connection with chronic conditions like diabetes or Parkinson’s disease. Without proper treatment, symptoms can last for months or even years. In this article, you’ll learn what causes frozen shoulder, how to recognize the different stages, and how physiotherapy can help you heal more comfortably and confidently.

What is Frozen Shoulder and What Causes It?

Frozen shoulder, or adhesive capsulitis, develops when the strong connective tissue surrounding your shoulder joint thickens and becomes inflamed. As scar tissue builds up, bands of tissue may form, restricting motion and causing pain. Reduced synovial fluid, which normally lubricates the joint, also adds to the stiffness.

While the apparent cause of frozen shoulder isn’t always clear, it often follows a shoulder injury, surgery, or period of immobility that limits use. It’s most common in adults between 40 and 60. People with chronic conditions like diabetes or Parkinson’s disease are more likely to develop it and may experience more severe, longer-lasting symptoms. Fortunately, a timely diagnosis and a targeted physiotherapy plan can ease symptoms and help restore movement.

How Frozen Shoulder Is Diagnosed

Diagnosing frozen shoulder starts with a physical exam and a review of your medical history. Your primary care doctor will assess your shoulder’s movement using both passive range of motion (when they move your arm) and active range of motion (when you move it yourself). If both are limited, frozen shoulder is likely the cause.

Your physician may order X-rays to rule out arthritis or a rotator cuff injury. MRI or ultrasound isn’t always needed but can help if soft tissue damage is suspected. In many cases, a physiotherapist will help interpret the findings and build a personalized plan focused on restoring motion and reducing pain.

Symptoms and Stages of Frozen Shoulder

Frozen shoulder typically develops gradually, starting with pain and progressing to stiffness and reduced range of motion. Early symptoms often include difficulty lifting or rotating your arm and increased discomfort at night. As stiffness worsens, daily tasks, like dressing, reaching overhead, or even sleeping, can become challenging.

Understanding the stages of frozen shoulder helps guide your expectations during recovery. Each stage reflects different symptoms and requires a tailored approach to care.

Common Signs and Functional Limitations

Recognizing early signs can help you seek treatment before stiffness worsens. You may experience:

• Severe pain, especially over the outer shoulder, often worsening with movement or at night
• Reduced range of motion, making it hard to lift your arm or reach across your body
• Difficulty with tasks, such as driving, showering, or getting dressed
• Loss of functional swing, limiting the diameter of your swing in activities like walking or reaching

These limitations result from tightening in the joint capsule and inflammation of nearby bands of tissue, both of which restrict the motion of the shoulder. Without proper care, even simple motions can become painful.

Freezing, Frozen, and Thawing Phases

Frozen shoulder progresses in three stages:

• Freezing (6 weeks–9 months): Pain worsens, and movement becomes increasingly limited.
• Frozen (2-6 months): Pain may ease, but stiffness becomes more pronounced.
• Thawing (6 months–2 years): Gradual return of motion and reduction in discomfort.

During the freezing stage, you’ll likely feel worsening pain, especially at night, with a loss of motion. The frozen stage may feel less painful but more functionally limiting. The thawing stage marks a slow recovery, with movement and comfort improving over time. Your recovery timeline depends on symptom severity and how soon you begin treatment.

When You Should See a Physiotherapist

You should see a physiotherapist if shoulder pain persists or starts limiting basic movement. Frozen shoulder can significantly reduce your quality of life, and early care helps prevent long-term stiffness. If you’re struggling with sleep or everyday tasks like dressing or driving, it’s time to get help.

While some simple treatments may offer short-term relief, expert guidance is key to restoring function. Severe cases may require additional support, making early physical therapy an important step toward full recovery.

What’s Involved in Frozen Shoulder Therapy

The objectives of frozen shoulder therapy are restoring movement, easing pain, and helping you get back to the tasks of daily life. Physiotherapy is the cornerstone of care, with treatment tailored to your range of motion and level of discomfort.

Your therapist may guide you through gentle stretching exercises to gradually increase flexibility and reduce socket joint stiffness. These movements target the tight portions of the joint capsule and support healing. Depending on your symptoms, your care plan may also include heat or cold applications and a structured home routine.

Manual Therapy and Modalities

Manual therapy plays a key role in relieving pain and improving range of motion. Your physiotherapist may use hands-on techniques to stretch tight areas and mobilize the shoulder blade for better function. These additional modalities can enhance the effects:

• TENS (Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation) blocks pain signals and promotes relaxation
• Steroid Injections are used when inflammation is severe and limiting progress
• Hot and Cold Therapy helps reduce swelling and ease discomfort

These options are customized to your stage of recovery. Combined with manual techniques, they can help reduce inflammation and support tissue repair.

Stretching and Mobility Exercises

Targeted exercises are essential for restoring movement and improving strength in the upper arm bone and surrounding structures. Your physiotherapist will guide you through a progressive routine designed for safety and effectiveness. Common movements include:

• External Rotation Stretch: Performed using a wall or doorway for stability.
• Forward Flexion: Lifting your affected arm with support from the opposite arm.
• Crossover Stretch: Pulling your arm across the chest to improve lateral mobility.

By repeating these stretches consistently, you’ll gradually break down scar tissue and improve shoulder motion, both passively and actively.

Supporting Your Recovery at Home

Supporting your recovery at home plays a key role in frozen shoulder therapy. Stick to your prescribed stretches, ideally after a warm shower to loosen the joint capsule and reduce stiffness. Use your unaffected arm to gently guide the lower part of the affected arm through slow, supported movements. Performing these exercises daily helps maintain your progress and prevent setbacks.

Remember, consistency is more important than intensity. Small efforts, done regularly, can help maintain flexibility and reduce the risk of reinjury as you heal.

Conclusion: You Don’t Have to Live with Frozen Shoulder

Frozen shoulder can limit your life, but recovery is possible. With physiotherapy, daily stretches, and at-home care, you can relieve pain and restore movement. Progress may take time, but consistent effort helps you return to the activities you enjoy. You don’t have to live with stiffness, frozen shoulder therapy offers a clear path to healing and a better quality of life.

If you’ve been struggling with frozen shoulder, we can help. Contact us today and let us show you why, at Physiomed…Healthier Starts Here.

Frequently Asked Questions About Frozen Shoulder:

How long does recovery from frozen shoulder usually take?

Recovery from frozen shoulder typically takes six months to two years. The amount of time varies based on symptom severity, treatment consistency, and whether additional factors, like diabetes or injury are involved. Following a targeted physiotherapy plan can restore shoulder movement sooner.

Is frozen shoulder therapy painful?

Frozen shoulder therapy may involve mild discomfort during stretching, but it shouldn’t be painful. Your physical therapist will tailor your program to your tolerance. Techniques like heat application and TENS help reduce pain so you can progress comfortably through each stage of recovery.

How is frozen shoulder different from a rotator cuff injury?

Frozen shoulder affects the shoulder joint capsule, leading to stiffness from scar tissue. A rotator cuff injury involves tears in the tendons around the shoulder joint. Both limit motion but differ in cause, structure affected, and treatment approach.