Frozen shoulder — medically known as adhesive capsulitis — is a condition where the shoulder capsule becomes thickened and tight, causing pain and a progressive loss of movement. It can be frustrating because it tends to move through distinct stages, often over many months.
What causes frozen shoulder?
The exact cause isn’t always clear. It’s more common after a period of reduced shoulder movement (such as following an injury or surgery elsewhere in the body), and it’s also more common in people with diabetes. Sometimes it develops with no obvious trigger at all.
The three stages
- Freezing stage — increasing pain, especially at night, with a gradual loss of movement. This stage can last several months.
- Frozen stage — pain may start to ease, but stiffness remains significant and movement is noticeably limited.
- Thawing stage — movement gradually returns, sometimes over many months, as the capsule loosens.
Why the stage matters
Treatment is adjusted to the stage you’re in — aggressive stretching during the painful freezing stage can aggravate symptoms, while a more active approach is often appropriate once you’re through the frozen stage.
How physiotherapy helps
Your physiotherapist will assess which stage you’re likely in, then tailor treatment accordingly — pain management and gentle movement early on, followed by more targeted mobility and strength work as the shoulder progresses through the stages.
What treatment can involve
- Education on the expected course, so you know roughly what to expect and when.
- Pain-easing strategies and gentle range-of-motion work during the freezing stage.
- Joint mobilisation and progressive stretching as pain settles.
- Strengthening exercises during the thawing stage to rebuild function.
Frozen shoulder usually does resolve — the right treatment at the right stage can make the journey more manageable.
Dealing with a stiff, painful shoulder?
Book a physiotherapy assessment to find out what stage you’re at and the right plan for it.
Frozen shoulder can take a long time to fully resolve, and that’s normal. Staying engaged with an appropriate exercise program, and pacing activity to the stage you’re in, tends to give the best outcomes.
Learn more from independent sources: healthdirect Australia and the Australian Physiotherapy Association. Information on this page is general in nature and not a substitute for individual assessment or professional advice.
Information on this page is general in nature and is not a substitute for individualised advice from a registered health practitioner. Our practitioners are registered with AHPRA.