Frozen Shoulder

The symptoms of frozen shoulder usually appear slowly. They include pain and stiffness in the shoulder joint at first. The pain may be dull or sharp and may be felt in the upper arm or neck. 

As the condition gets worse, the shoulder may become stiffer. This can limit movement and make everyday tasks hard. Simple actions like reaching or lifting may become difficult. 

For example, people with frozen shoulder tend to experience difficulties with: 

Reaching above shoulder height 

Throwing a ball 

Reaching for something quickly 

Reaching behind your back to tuck a shirt or clasp a bra 

Sleeping on your side 

Three distinct stages of frozen shoulder exist. 

Stage 1: Freezing Phase 

At this early stage, there is a gradual onset of pain and stiffness in the shoulder. The pain may be worse at night and there may be a limited range of motion in the shoulder joint. This stage may last for 2 to 9 months. 

Stage 2: Frozen Phase 

During this stage, the pain may decrease, but the stiffness in the shoulder becomes more severe. It can be hard to do daily tasks like reaching or lifting. The range of motion is greatly limited. This stage can last between 4 to 12 months. 

Stage 3: Thawing Phase 

In the final stage, the range of motion in the shoulder starts improving and the stiffness gradually decreases. This stage can take from 5 months to 24 months to fully resolve with the help of physiotherapy. 

(National Library of Medicine: Adhesive Capsulitis/Frozen Shoulder 2025)

Causes of Frozen Shoulder 

The exact cause of frozen shoulder is unknown and not fully understood at the moment. However, it is linked to some risk factors. These include diabetes, thyroid problems, and past shoulder injuries or surgeries. 

Physiotherapy Assessment and Diagnosis 

Physiotherapy can be an effective treatment for frozen shoulder, helping to reduce pain, improve mobility, and prevent further damage. 

At Prohealth, our physiotherapists will do tests to find out the stage of your frozen shoulder. They will check if it is in the “freezing," “frozen," or “thawing" stage. They will also look at where the injury is and what caused it. From there, we develop a personalized treatment plan tailored to your specific needs and situation. 

Physiotherapy Treatments and Advice 

Once our physiotherapists assess your condition, they will create a treatment plan. This plan will help you recover faster and return to pain-free movement. 

We use a range of physiotherapy methods to treat frozen shoulder, including: 

Manual therapy for soft tissue and joint mobilization to release tension in the shoulder 

Pain management techniques including shockwave therapy, acupuncture Remedial exercises and stretches to maintain shoulder range of motion Specific shoulder mobilization and strengthening exercises 

Need Help With Your Frozen Shoulder?

If you have been experiencing shoulder pain or stiffness, make sure to consult your physiotherapist. There is no quick treatment solution for frozen shoulders. If left untreated, the symptoms and discomfort can last a long time and get worse. 

Our physiotherapists have a lot of experience in treating frozen shoulder and other muscle and joint problems.