Frozen Shoulder

Frozen Sholder

Frozen shoulder is a chronic condition affecting range of motion in the shoulder. Left untreated, it can resolve itself over an extended period.

What is frozen shoulder?

Frozen shoulder, also known as adhesive capsulitis, is a condition characterised by stiffness and limited range of motion in the shoulder. The condition is usually caused by shoulder impingement, which occurs when the bones in the shoulder rub together or compress the soft tissues. Frozen shoulder is a chronic condition, meaning it can last for months or even years.

The good news is that frozen shoulder is treatable. Manual intervention through Chiropractic, Osteopathy, Physiotherapy and massage can help improve range of motion and reduce pain.

Surgery is also an option for severe cases, but most people with frozen shoulder will eventually recover without surgery.

What are the symptoms of frozen shoulder?

Frozen shoulder is a condition that causes pain and stiffness in the shoulder. The range of motion in the shoulder is also limited.

Frozen shoulder often occurs after an injury. A frozen shoulder diagnosis would typically be given when an acute shoulder injury is ignored and becomes chronic. The symptoms of frozen shoulder usually come on gradually and worsen over time.

Pain is the most common symptom, but some people also experience a burning sensation or numbness. The pain may be worse at night. Shoulder impingement may also occur, which is when the tendons and muscles around the shoulder are unable to move properly. Frozen shoulder sufferers often report being unable to lift items above their head, such as using an overhead cupboard, or put their arms behind their back, such as putting on a bra.

If you think you might be suffering from a frozen shoulder, it's important to see a healthcare professional, so they can diagnose and treat the condition. Early treatment is often the most effective.

What are the causes of frozen shoulder?

One of the most common causes of frozen shoulder is repetitive strain or overuse of the shoulder joint. This can occur in people who do a lot of manual labour or participate in sports that involve repetitive motions of the arm, such as baseball or tennis.

Frozen shoulder can also be caused by acute injury to the shoulder, such as a fall or dislocation. It can also be affected by how a patient sleeps on their shoulder. In some cases, frozen shoulder may develop without any apparent cause.

The condition is more common in women and people over the age of 40. People with diabetes or other health conditions that affect the nervous system are also at increased risk.

Treatment of frozen shoulder

In some cases, the condition will heal itself over time. The NHS advises that frozen shoulder will get better on its own in around three years. The good news is that there are treatments available that can help reduce the timeframe.


According to NICE guidelines, one option where it is not improving is steroid injections, which can help to reduce inflammation and pain. Another option is manual therapy with a Chiropractor, Osteopath, Physiotherapist or Sports Therapist, which can help to stretch and strengthen the muscles around the shoulder joint. 


If you are experiencing pain and limited range of motion in your shoulder, talk to your doctor about treatment options.

Kube Medical | Frozen shoulder mobilisation

Manual therapy would likely involve:

Can frozen shoulder cause other issues?

When suffering from frozen shoulder, patients will often move their shoulder less, which can affect muscle groups around the area. Therefore, they may experience tightness in the pectoralis, upper trapezius, deltoids, scalenes and sternocleidomastoid (SCM) muscles. This may have implications for their broader posture, potentially resulting in torticollis (a twisting of the neck) and cervical facet syndrome (a type of neck and back pain).

The biggest impact of frozen shoulder is the potential impact on sleep. Frozen shoulder can cause significant discomfort, which may mean sufferers are unable to sleep comfortably.

Can frozen shoulder be confused with anything else?

We often see patients in clinic who have been diagnosed with frozen shoulder who are instead suffering from biceps groove tendinitis. This can affect range of movement in raising the arms in the same way as frozen shoulder. However, unlike frozen shoulder, patients suffering from biceps groove tendinitis can move their arms above their heads.

It is worth speaking to a musculoskeletal professional to obtain a diagnosis and understand treatment options.

Can I treat frozen shoulder at home?

Frozen shoulder can be treated at home though alternating icing and heating the affected area.


Gentle mobilisation will also improve the range of motion. This can be done through placing the hand and forearm on a door frame, with the elbow bent at 90° and upper arm arm at 90° to the body. A deeper stretch can be obtained by rotating the body away from the door frame, opening up the chest.


Sleep can be improved by hugging a pillow, taking the pressure off the shoulder itself.

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