Condition
Frozen shoulder: causes, symptoms and treatment
A clinically reviewed guide to frozen shoulder — its stages, and how movement and time restore the shoulder.
- Shoulder
Quick answer
Frozen shoulder (adhesive capsulitis) causes progressive shoulder stiffness and pain as the joint capsule tightens. It typically passes through stages over months to a couple of years, and most people recover with exercise, manual therapy and patience.
Key facts
- Frozen shoulder progresses through freezing, frozen and thawing stages.
- It is more common in people aged 40–60 and those with diabetes.
- Most cases resolve, though recovery can take many months.
What is frozen shoulder?
Frozen shoulder is a condition where the shoulder's capsule becomes inflamed and tightens, causing progressive stiffness and pain.
It typically develops gradually and moves through three stages: a painful 'freezing' stage, a stiff 'frozen' stage, and a 'thawing' stage where movement returns.
What are the symptoms of frozen shoulder?
The hallmark is progressive loss of shoulder movement with pain, often worse at night and with a marked loss of the ability to rotate the arm.
- Gradually worsening shoulder stiffness
- Pain, frequently worse at night
- Difficulty with everyday reaching and dressing
- Loss of both active and passive movement
How is frozen shoulder treated?
Frozen shoulder is treated with pain management, gentle mobility work and exercise matched to the stage, supporting the shoulder as it recovers.
In the painful early stage, treatment focuses on comfort and gentle movement; later, more active stretching and strengthening restore range. Recovery takes time, and referral is considered for stubborn cases.
At Postura Wellness, care for frozen shoulder is built around OrthoRestore™ — our signature method that combines chiropractic and physiotherapy into one coordinated plan. Depending on your assessment, it can bring together chiropractic adjustments, dry needling, muscle manipulation, Active Release Technique, and targeted exercises, supported where helpful by technology such as shockwave therapy and bioelectric therapy. The aim is to relieve symptoms while addressing the underlying causes, with a plan tailored to you.
Get a clear plan for your frozen shoulder
Book an assessment at either branch and get a tailored plan.
This page is for general information and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always consult a qualified clinician about your individual condition.
Sources
- Shoulder Injuries and Disorders — MedlinePlus, US National Library of Medicine
- Shoulder pain — MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia
- Joint Disorders — MedlinePlus, US National Library of Medicine
- Bones, Joints and Muscles — MedlinePlus, US National Library of Medicine
- Muscle and Bone Diseases — NIH National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases
- Orthopedic services — MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia