Frozen Shoulder: Why It Happens and How to Treat It

Frozen shoulder — known medically as adhesive capsulitis — is when the shoulder gradually becomes stiff and painful, making everyday movements like reaching or dressing difficult. It can be frustrating, but it is treatable, and most people recover well with the right support.

The three stages

• Freezing: pain increases and movement starts to reduce
• Frozen: pain may ease but stiffness is at its peak
• Thawing: movement slowly returns over time

Knowing which stage you're in helps shape treatment, because what helps in the painful early phase is different from what helps later.

Why it happens

The exact cause isn't always clear, but it's more common after a period of not moving the shoulder — for example after an injury or surgery — and is seen more often in certain health conditions. It can also appear without an obvious trigger.

How physiotherapy helps

Treatment usually combines gentle, progressive movement to restore range with hands-on techniques and pain management. The aim is to keep the shoulder moving as much as comfort allows, without aggravating it.

Patience matters here — frozen shoulder improves over months rather than days. A guided plan keeps you moving in the right direction and helps you avoid the common mistake of either pushing too hard or stopping movement altogether.