Frozen Shoulder (Adhesive Capsulitis): Symptoms, Causes & How Physiotherapy May Help

Frozen Shoulder (Adhesive Capsulitis): Symptoms, Causes & How Physiotherapy May Help

By InHome Physical Therapy

If your shoulder has gradually become painful and increasingly difficult to move, you may be experiencing frozen shoulder, also known as adhesive capsulitis. This condition can make everyday activities—such as getting dressed, reaching overhead, fastening a seatbelt, or sleeping comfortably—more challenging.

Although frozen shoulder often improves over time, recovery varies from person to person and may take months or, in some cases, longer. Physiotherapy may help manage pain, improve shoulder mobility, and support your return to everyday activities throughout the different stages of recovery.

What Is Frozen Shoulder?

Frozen shoulder is a condition in which the capsule surrounding the shoulder joint becomes thickened and tight, leading to pain and progressive loss of shoulder movement.

Unlike many other shoulder conditions, frozen shoulder affects both active movement (what you can do yourself) and passive movement (what someone else can move your shoulder through).

The exact cause is not always known. Frozen shoulder may occur without an obvious reason (primary adhesive capsulitis) or develop following an injury, surgery, or a period of shoulder immobilization (secondary adhesive capsulitis).

Who Is at Risk?

Frozen shoulder is more common in adults between the ages of 40 and 60 and occurs more frequently in women than men.

Certain health conditions may also increase the likelihood of developing frozen shoulder, including:

• Diabetes
• Thyroid disorders
• Parkinson’s disease
• Cardiovascular disease
• Shoulder injury or surgery resulting in prolonged immobility

Not everyone with these risk factors will develop frozen shoulder, but they may increase the likelihood.

Common Symptoms

Symptoms often develop gradually and may include:

• Persistent shoulder pain
• Progressive stiffness
• Difficulty reaching overhead or behind your back
• Pain that may interfere with sleep
• Difficulty dressing, grooming, or fastening a bra or seatbelt
• Reduced range of motion in multiple directions

Frozen shoulder typically progresses through several stages, although the timing and severity vary between individuals.

How Is Frozen Shoulder Different From Other Shoulder Conditions?

Many shoulder conditions can cause pain and limited movement, making it difficult to tell them apart without an assessment.

Frozen Shoulder The hallmark feature of frozen shoulder is a significant loss of both active and passive shoulder movement. Stiffness is often more limiting than weakness.

Rotator Cuff Conditions Rotator cuff injuries or tendinopathy commonly cause pain and weakness, particularly during overhead activities. Although movement may be painful, passive shoulder motion is often better preserved than in frozen shoulder.

Shoulder Arthritis Shoulder arthritis occurs when the joint surfaces change over time, leading to pain, stiffness, and reduced function. Imaging and a physical examination can help distinguish arthritis from frozen shoulder, although some people may have more than one shoulder condition.

Because these conditions can present with similar symptoms, an assessment by a physiotherapist or other qualified healthcare provider can help determine the factors contributing to your shoulder pain.

How Can Physiotherapy Help?

Treatment is tailored to your symptoms, the stage of your condition, and your individual goals.

Your physiotherapy treatment plan may include:

• Education about frozen shoulder and its natural course
• Advice on modifying activities during painful flare-ups
• Gentle mobility exercises
• Progressive stretching, when appropriate
• Strengthening exercises as shoulder movement improves
• Manual therapy, when appropriate
• Guidance for returning to work, recreation, and daily activities

The goal of physiotherapy is to help you maintain or improve shoulder function while supporting recovery at a pace that is appropriate for your condition.

What About Exercises?

Exercise is often an important part of managing frozen shoulder, but there is no single program that is appropriate for everyone.

Depending on your stage of recovery, your physiotherapist may recommend exercises such as:

• Pendulum exercises
• Gentle shoulder range-of-motion exercises
• Assisted stretching
• Progressive strengthening exercises as mobility improves

Exercises should be performed within a comfortable range and progressed based on your symptoms. Your physiotherapist can develop a program that is appropriate for your individual needs.

Can Kinesiology Taping Help?

Some physiotherapists may use kinesiology taping as part of a broader treatment plan for frozen shoulder.

Kinesiology tape is a flexible, elastic therapeutic tape designed to move with your body. Depending on your symptoms, taping may be used to:

• Provide temporary support during daily activities
• Improve comfort with certain movements
• Increase awareness of shoulder position and movement (proprioception)

Research on kinesiology taping for frozen shoulder is still evolving. Some people report short-term improvements in comfort or function, while others notice little difference. For this reason, taping is generally considered an adjunct to exercise and rehabilitation rather than a stand-alone treatment.

When Should You Seek Medical Attention?

You should seek prompt medical assessment if you experience:

• Sudden inability to move your shoulder after a fall or injury
• Significant swelling or deformity
• Redness, warmth, or fever associated with shoulder pain
• Progressive numbness or weakness in your arm or hand
• Severe pain that is rapidly worsening

These symptoms may indicate another condition requiring further medical evaluation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can frozen shoulder go away on its own? Many people experience gradual improvement over time, although recovery can vary considerably. Some individuals recover within months, while others continue to improve over a longer period.

Can physiotherapy help frozen shoulder? Physiotherapy may help reduce pain, improve shoulder mobility, and support your return to daily activities. Your treatment plan will depend on your symptoms, the stage of your condition, and your individual goals.

Is exercise safe if I have frozen shoulder? For many people, appropriately prescribed exercises are an important part of rehabilitation. Exercises should be tailored to your symptoms and progressed gradually to avoid aggravating your shoulder.

The Bottom Line

Frozen shoulder can significantly affect daily activities, but many people experience meaningful improvements with time and appropriate management.

A comprehensive physiotherapy assessment can help determine whether frozen shoulder or another shoulder condition is contributing to your symptoms. Your physiotherapist can then develop an individualized treatment plan that may include education, exercise, manual therapy, and, when appropriate, kinesiology taping to support your recovery.

If you’re experiencing ongoing shoulder pain or stiffness, consider booking an assessment with a physiotherapist to discuss treatment options that are appropriate for your individual needs.