Frozen Shoulder Treatment in Kilsyth | Physiotherapy & Myotherapy
What Is Frozen Shoulder?
Frozen shoulder, also known as adhesive capsulitis, is a condition that causes shoulder pain, stiffness and a significant loss of movement. It occurs when the capsule surrounding the shoulder joint becomes inflamed and thickened, making shoulder movement increasingly difficult and painful.
Frozen shoulder typically develops gradually and can make everyday activities challenging, including reaching overhead, dressing, grooming, driving, exercising and sleeping comfortably.
At Physio Elements in Kilsyth, our physiotherapists and myotherapists provide personalised assessment and treatment to help manage frozen shoulder symptoms, maintain movement and support your recovery.
What Are the Stages of Frozen Shoulder?
Frozen shoulder commonly progresses through three stages. The duration and severity of each stage can vary between individuals.
The Freezing Stage
During the freezing stage, shoulder pain gradually increases and movement begins to become restricted. Pain can be particularly noticeable at night and may interfere with sleep.
The Frozen Stage
During the frozen stage, pain may begin to settle, but shoulder stiffness can become more pronounced. Activities that require reaching, lifting or moving the arm may become increasingly difficult.
The Thawing Stage
During the thawing stage, shoulder movement gradually improves and normal function begins to return. Recovery can take several months and, for some people, longer.
What Are the Symptoms of Frozen Shoulder?
Common symptoms of frozen shoulder include:
- Gradual onset of shoulder pain
- Pain when reaching overhead
- Difficulty reaching behind your back
- Reduced shoulder movement
- Progressively increasing stiffness
- Night pain that affects sleep
- Difficulty dressing or grooming
- Pain when lying on the affected shoulder
- Difficulty completing everyday activities
A key feature of frozen shoulder is a significant restriction in both active and passive shoulder movement. This means that movement is limited whether you move the shoulder yourself or someone else moves it for you.
What Causes Frozen Shoulder?
The exact cause of frozen shoulder is not always known. However, certain factors can increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Age and Gender
Frozen shoulder most commonly affects adults between approximately 40 and 60 years of age and is more common in women.
Shoulder Injury or Surgery
A period of reduced shoulder movement following an injury, fracture or surgery may increase the risk of developing frozen shoulder.
Medical Conditions
Frozen shoulder is more common in people with certain medical conditions, including:
- Diabetes
- Thyroid disorders
- Cardiovascular conditions
- Parkinson’s disease
Prolonged Shoulder Immobility
Keeping the shoulder still for an extended period can contribute to stiffness and reduced movement. This may occur following an injury, surgery or another condition that makes normal shoulder movement difficult.
How Is Frozen Shoulder Diagnosed?
Frozen shoulder is primarily diagnosed through a clinical assessment. Your physiotherapist will take a detailed history of your symptoms and assess how your shoulder moves.
Your assessment may include:
- Shoulder range of movement
- Pain levels and symptom history
- Functional limitations
- Shoulder strength
- Movement patterns
- Assessment of the neck and upper back
One of the key clinical features of frozen shoulder is significant restriction in both active and passive shoulder movement, particularly when compared with the unaffected side.
Imaging such as an X-ray, ultrasound or MRI may sometimes be recommended to rule out other causes of shoulder pain or stiffness. Imaging is not always required to identify frozen shoulder.
How Does Physiotherapy Help Frozen Shoulder?
Physiotherapy can help manage the pain and stiffness associated with frozen shoulder while supporting the gradual restoration of shoulder movement and function.
Treatment is tailored to your symptoms, available movement and stage of the condition.
What Does Frozen Shoulder Physiotherapy Involve?
Your physiotherapy treatment may include:
- Joint mobilisation techniques
- Gentle shoulder stretching
- Mobility exercises
- Pain management strategies
- Movement retraining
- Education about the condition and expected recovery
- Home exercise programs
Your physiotherapist will adjust treatment depending on your symptoms and how your shoulder responds over time.
What Are the Goals of Physiotherapy for Frozen Shoulder?
Physiotherapy aims to help:
- Reduce pain and discomfort
- Maintain or improve shoulder mobility
- Restore functional movement
- Improve your ability to complete everyday activities
- Support a gradual return to work, exercise and sport
- Develop a home exercise program to support your recovery
The focus of treatment may change as you move through the freezing, frozen and thawing stages.
How Can Myotherapy Help Frozen Shoulder?
Myotherapy does not directly change the thickened joint capsule associated with frozen shoulder. However, it may help manage muscular tension and discomfort that can develop around the shoulder as movement becomes restricted.
When shoulder movement is limited, muscles around the neck, upper back, chest and shoulder can become tight or overloaded. Addressing these areas may help improve comfort and make movement easier as part of a broader rehabilitation program.
What Myotherapy Techniques May Be Used?
Depending on your symptoms and individual needs, our myotherapists may use:
- Soft tissue massage
- Trigger point therapy
- Myofascial release
- Dry needling
- Stretching techniques
- Mobility exercises
Myotherapy can be used as a standalone treatment or alongside physiotherapy where appropriate.
How Long Does Frozen Shoulder Last?
Frozen shoulder can be a prolonged condition, and recovery times vary considerably between individuals. Symptoms may last for many months and, in some cases, longer.
The freezing, frozen and thawing stages do not always follow an identical timeline for every person. Your physiotherapist can monitor your symptoms and shoulder movement and help develop an appropriate management plan throughout your recovery.
Can Frozen Shoulder Go Away on Its Own?
Frozen shoulder can improve naturally over time, but recovery can be lengthy and symptoms may significantly affect daily activities. Physiotherapy can help manage pain, maintain available movement, improve function and provide guidance on appropriate exercises and activity throughout the different stages of recovery.
What Is the Best Treatment for Frozen Shoulder?
There is no single treatment that is best for every person with frozen shoulder. Management depends on the stage of the condition, severity of symptoms, available movement and individual goals.
Treatment may include physiotherapy, mobility exercises, education, activity modification and pain management. In some cases, your doctor may also discuss other medical treatment options depending on your symptoms and progress.
Should I Exercise With Frozen Shoulder?
Appropriate movement and exercise can be an important part of managing frozen shoulder. However, the type and intensity of exercise should be appropriate for your symptoms and stage of recovery.
Your physiotherapist can recommend exercises designed to maintain or gradually improve shoulder movement without unnecessarily aggravating your symptoms.
When Should Shoulder Pain Be Medically Assessed?
Most frozen shoulder symptoms can be assessed by a physiotherapist. However, medical assessment may be appropriate following a significant injury or if you experience severe weakness, major loss of movement or other concerning symptoms.
Frequently Asked Questions About Frozen Shoulder
Frozen Shoulder Physiotherapy in Kilsyth
If shoulder pain and stiffness are affecting your everyday life, the team at Physio Elements in Kilsyth can help.
Our physiotherapists and myotherapists provide personalised assessment, treatment and rehabilitation for frozen shoulder and other causes of shoulder pain.
Contact Physio Elements today to arrange an assessment and find out how physiotherapy or myotherapy may help you manage your frozen shoulder.
Article reviewed by:
Jordan Tierney — Qualified Myotherapist, Advanced Diploma of Myotherapy, Physio Elements, Kilsyth. Nisha — Physiotherapist at Physio Elements, Kilsyth. Master of Physiotherapy (Orthopaedics, Sports & Manual Therapy), University of South Australia.