What Is Frozen Shoulder?
Frozen shoulder, medically known as adhesive capsulitis, is a condition characterised by stiffness and pain in the shoulder joint. The shoulder capsule — the connective tissue surrounding the joint — becomes inflamed and thickened, restricting movement.
Three Stages of Frozen Shoulder
Stage 1 — Freezing (3–9 months)
Gradual onset of shoulder pain, particularly at night. Movement becomes progressively restricted. This is the most painful stage.
Stage 2 — Frozen (9–15 months)
Pain may reduce, but stiffness remains significant. Activities of daily living are severely limited.
Stage 3 — Thawing (15–24 months)
Gradual recovery of movement. Physiotherapy is most effective during this stage in accelerating the natural thawing process.
Physiotherapy Treatment for Frozen Shoulder
Treatment depends on the stage. During the freezing stage, gentle range-of-motion exercises and pain management take priority. During the frozen stage, progressive joint mobilisation and stretching begin. During thawing, more aggressive strengthening and functional exercises are appropriate.
Key Exercises for Frozen Shoulder
- Pendulum exercises: Gentle arm swings in gravity-assisted positions.
- Towel stretch: Using a towel behind the back to encourage internal rotation.
- Finger wall walk: Walking fingers up a wall to improve forward flexion.
- Cross-body stretch: Pulling the arm across the chest to stretch the posterior capsule.
How Long Does Recovery Take?
Untreated frozen shoulder can take 18–24 months to resolve. With physiotherapy, most patients recover significantly within 6–9 months. Early intervention provides the best outcomes.