Frozen Shoulder

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Basic Pain Management

Frozen shoulder is a painful, stiff shoulder that develops in stages. It can be slow to settle, but the right physiotherapy keeps it moving and speeds the return of function.

Talk to me about frozen shoulder

The basics

What is frozen shoulder?

Frozen shoulder, or adhesive capsulitis, is when the capsule around the shoulder joint becomes inflamed and tight, sharply reducing movement.

It typically moves through three stages: a painful freezing phase, a stiff frozen phase, and a gradual thawing phase. Knowing which stage you are in shapes the treatment, which is where a physiotherapist helps most.

What to notice

Common symptoms

  • A deep ache that came on without a clear injury
  • Steadily worsening stiffness in all directions
  • Difficulty reaching behind the back or overhead
  • Pain that disturbs sleep, especially early on
  • Struggling with dressing, grooming, and daily tasks
Why it happens

Common causes

  • Often no clear cause (most common)
  • More common with diabetes and thyroid conditions
  • Sometimes after a period of shoulder immobility
  • Following surgery or an injury that limited movement
The treatment

How physiotherapy helps

Treatment is matched to your stage: easing pain while it is irritable, then steadily restoring movement as it allows.

Stage-based care

I match treatment to the painful, stiff, or thawing phase you are in.

Gentle mobilisation

Hands-on work to maintain and slowly restore joint movement.

Stretch program

A guided home routine to regain range as the shoulder allows.

Pain management

Advice and techniques to settle the ache and protect your sleep.

What to expect

Your recovery journey

Treatment moves through clear stages. I set the pace to suit you, but the path usually looks like this.

01

Assessment

I confirm the stage and measure your current movement.

02

Settle pain

In the irritable phase I focus on comfort and gentle motion.

03

Restore range

As pain eases I steadily work movement back in.

04

Rebuild strength

Once mobile, I strengthen to restore normal function.

In your sessions

Exercises I may use

  • Pendulum swings to keep the joint moving
  • Wall walks to rebuild overhead reach
  • Towel stretches for reaching behind the back
  • Gentle external rotation stretches

When to seek urgent care

See a doctor if shoulder stiffness appears suddenly after a significant injury, or if you notice swelling, redness, or fever, as these point to other problems that need checking.

Good to know

Questions I hear a lot

How long does frozen shoulder last?
It varies widely and can take many months to fully resolve. Physiotherapy helps you keep as much movement as possible and recover function sooner.
Will stretching make it worse?
Aggressive stretching during the painful phase can flare it. I keep the intensity right for your stage, which is why guidance matters.
Do I need surgery?
Most cases improve without surgery. It is only considered in a minority of stubborn cases, and your physiotherapist and doctor would discuss that together.

Let's get you moving again

Book an assessment with me and I'll build a plan around your body, your goals, and your day-to-day life.

Call +91 87997 18841
This article is general information and is not a substitute for a personal assessment. Everyone is different, so please speak to a qualified physiotherapist or doctor for advice on your own situation.