Finding Relief from Frozen Shoulder
Mar 03, 2025
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Finding Relief from Frozen Shoulder
What is Frozen Shoulder?
Frozen shoulder, or adhesive capsulitis, is a common and debilitating condition marked by pain and a progressive loss of shoulder mobility. Over time, movement becomes increasingly difficult—both on your own and with assistance. Symptoms typically develop gradually, worsen over time, and can take anywhere from one to three years to resolve. This condition most often affects people between the ages of 40 and 60, with women being at a higher risk.
The shoulder is a ball-and-socket joint, known as the glenohumeral joint, where the humerus (upper arm bone) fits into a shallow socket in the scapula (shoulder blade). Surrounding this joint is the shoulder capsule, a strong connective tissue structure lubricated by synovial fluid to allow smooth movement. With frozen shoulder, the capsule thickens, stiffens, and tightens, forming adhesions (thick bands of tissue) that restrict movement.
A skilled physical therapist specializing in orthopedic conditions can diagnose frozen shoulder based on your symptoms and movement limitations. In most cases, imaging or other tests are not necessary for diagnosis.
What causes Frozen Shoulder?
The exact cause of frozen shoulder is not fully understood, but several factors can increase your risk of developing the condition.
- Immobilization: Prolonged lack of movement in the shoulder—often due to injury, fracture, or post-surgical recovery—can lead to frozen shoulder. When the joint remains in a fixed position for an extended period, stiffness and restricted mobility may develop.
- Diabetes: Individuals with diabetes are at a significantly higher risk of developing frozen shoulder, though the exact reason for this link remains unknown.
- Underlying Medical Conditions: Certain health conditions, such as hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, Parkinson’s disease, and cardiac disease, have been associated with an increased likelihood of developing adhesive capsulitis.
What are the Symptoms of Frozen Shoulder?
Frozen shoulder typically develops gradually over four phases:
- Pre-Freezing (1–3 months): Early symptoms can be subtle, making it difficult to identify adhesive capsulitis. Shoulder pain gradually worsens, becoming sharp with movement. Many people instinctively limit shoulder movement to protect the joint, leading to further stiffness.
- Freezing (2–9 months): Pain intensifies, becoming more severe and widespread, often worsening at night. Stiffness increases, significantly limiting mobility and making daily activities challenging.
- Frozen (4–12 months): Although the pain starts to decrease, the shoulder remains extremely stiff with limited movement. Daily tasks may still be difficult to perform.
- Thawing (5–24 months): The shoulder gradually regains mobility, and range of motion slowly improves over time.
How Do You Treat Frozen Shoulder?
There are several treatment options for frozen shoulder, which can be combined based on your specific needs. Since there’s no one-size-fits-all approach, treatments may include physical therapy, pain and inflammation medications, injections, and, in severe cases, surgery. It's important to remember that recovery can be a slow process, and full recovery—regaining near-normal strength and motion—may take anywhere from 6 months to 3 years.
A physical therapist specializing in orthopedic injuries can diagnose frozen shoulder based on symptoms and movement restrictions, often without the need for imaging or tests. Once the phase of your condition is identified, a personalized treatment plan can be developed. This may include range-of-motion exercises, manual therapy techniques like soft tissue manipulation, and graded joint mobilizations to improve shoulder movement, reduce pain, and restore daily function. Additionally, acupuncture and trigger point dry needling can help reduce inflammation and pain, especially in the early stages.
If you suspect you may have frozen shoulder, consider consulting with a physical therapist for a thorough evaluation and a personalized treatment plan. At Total Acupuncture and Physical Therapy, we're dedicated to helping you regain mobility and reduce pain, so you can return to your daily activities without discomfort. Contact us at 973-910-1441 to learn how we can assist you on your road to recovery.
About the Author
Frank Failla, DPT, is doctor of physical therapy at Total Acupuncture and Physical Therapy in Cedar Grove, New Jersey. Dr. Failla takes pride in providing one-on-one physical therapy in a private setting, creating a relaxing and nurturing environment. Throughout his fifteen years of advanced orthopedic practice, Dr. Failla has taken extensive continuing education courses in manual therapy, myofascial release, and osteopathic techniques. He has trained with the McKenzie Institute in mechanical diagnosis and treatment of the spine; the Barral Institute in neural manipulation for an integrative approach to pain and dysfunction; and the Institute of Physical Art in functional and visceral mobilization. He is a certified provider of Active Release Technique. Dr. Failla enjoys helping patients who have struggled to find pain relief using conventional medical disciplines. He believes patients can often avoid surgical procedures through proper care and lifestyle modifications.