Maintaining Your Quality of Life with Frozen Shoulder

Frozen shoulder, or adhesive capsulitis, is a condition where the shoulder joint becomes stiff, painful, and gradually loses motion due to inflammation and thickening of the joint capsule.

The most common early signs include dull, aching pain in the shoulder, especially at night, and difficulty with everyday movements like reaching overhead or behind your back.

It can result from injury, surgery, prolonged immobility, or underlying conditions like diabetes, thyroid issues, or stroke.

It can affect both, but women between 40–60 years of age are at higher risk.

Without treatment, it can last anywhere from 1 to 3 years, progressing through stages—freezing, frozen, and thawing.

Absolutely. Physiotherapy is one of the most effective treatments, focusing on pain relief, restoring mobility, and improving function through guided exercises and manual therapy.

In most cases, no. Surgery is only considered if conservative treatments like physiotherapy fail to provide relief after several months.

Gentle stretching, pendulum swings, and wall climbs can help—but it's important to follow a physiotherapist’s guidance to avoid worsening the condition.

While it usually affects only one shoulder, some individuals may develop it in the other shoulder later on, especially if underlying conditions persist.

The sooner, the better. Early intervention helps manage pain, prevents further stiffness, and accelerates recovery.