Frozen shoulder, also known as adhesive capsulitis, can cause significant shoulder pain, stiffness and difficulty with everyday movements. Our approach focuses on understanding your symptoms, assessing your shoulder movement and developing an appropriate rehabilitation plan.
Frozen shoulder is a condition in which the tissues around the shoulder joint become thickened and tight, leading to pain and restriction of movement.
Shoulder stiffness can make simple movements such as dressing, bathing, reaching for objects or placing an arm overhead more difficult. The condition typically progresses through several stages.
Shoulder pain may gradually increase, and some people experience greater discomfort at night or when moving the arm.
As the condition progresses, shoulder movement can become increasingly restricted, making routine tasks more challenging.
Reaching overhead, reaching behind the back, dressing and other shoulder movements may become difficult.
Symptoms vary between people and should be assessed rather than assumed to be frozen shoulder.
Frozen shoulder commonly progresses through freezing, frozen and thawing stages. The duration varies from person to person.
Pain gradually increases while shoulder movement starts becoming more restricted.
Pain may become less prominent while significant shoulder stiffness continues.
Shoulder movement gradually improves and function can progressively return.
Frozen shoulder can occur without an obvious cause, but certain conditions and situations are associated with increased risk.
It most commonly affects adults in middle age.
Frozen shoulder is more common among people with diabetes.
Certain thyroid disorders are associated with increased risk.
Reduced shoulder movement after injury, fracture or surgery may contribute to stiffness.
Shoulder pain and stiffness can have several possible causes. A proper assessment helps understand your symptoms and movement limitations.
When did the pain begin? Is it getting worse? Which movements are restricted? Can you reach overhead? Can you reach behind your back? Does it disturb sleep? Have you had an injury, surgery or period of immobilisation?
Physiotherapy commonly focuses on managing symptoms and restoring shoulder movement and function. The exact programme should be individualised following assessment.
Treatment may include strategies designed to help manage symptoms and make movement more comfortable.
Appropriate mobility exercises can be used to work toward improving shoulder movement.
A physiotherapist can guide movement according to your current symptoms and functional limitations.
As movement and symptoms allow, strengthening may be introduced progressively.
You may receive an individualised home exercise programme appropriate to your assessment.
Shoulder movement and functional abilities can be reviewed as rehabilitation progresses.
Exercises should be selected according to the person's stage, symptoms, movement and clinical assessment.
Appropriate movements to gradually work on comfortable shoulder range.
Progressive work toward improving the ability to raise the arm when appropriate.
Appropriate exercises may target restricted shoulder rotation.
Strengthening can be progressively introduced as movement and symptoms permit.
Your physiotherapist can provide individual guidance based on your assessment.
Shoulder pain and stiffness can have many causes. Seek appropriate medical assessment when symptoms are severe, follow a significant injury, are accompanied by unusual neurological symptoms, or are persistent or worsening.
A physiotherapy assessment can help determine whether physiotherapy is appropriate or whether further medical evaluation should be considered.
If shoulder pain or stiffness is affecting dressing, sleeping, reaching, working or everyday activities, talk to our team about an assessment.
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