Frozen Shoulder? Causes, Symptoms, and the Impact of Physical Therapy

A sudden or gradual decrease in range of motion and shoulder pain can signal a frozen shoulder. Commonly referred to as adhesive capsulitis, a frozen shoulder is an inflammation of the shoulder joint's capsule. With this condition, your shoulder becomes progressively stiffer and more painful until it reaches the point where you cannot move your shoulder and arm.



A frozen shoulder is not just painful but also ruins the quality of your life. Discover the causes, symptoms, and most effective treatment for this condition.

What Cause Frozen Shoulders?

Like any other shoulder disease, a frozen shoulder results from injury to the tissues or joints. The primary root of a frozen shoulder is inflammation in the tissues and ligaments surrounding the joint.

The shoulder features a capsule, which keeps the joint in place. The capsule has flexible folds, which can expand and contract when you move your hand in different directions. So, if the capsule has inflammation, the folds may tighten. Consequently, your movement around the joint reduces, the shoulder becomes stiffer, and you may experience pain when you try to move your arm.

What Are the Symptoms of Frozen Shoulders?

The most apparent sign of a frozen shoulder is pain. But you may experience other symptoms depending on the stage or degree of the condition.

The early stage of a frozen shoulder is the freezing phase. Pain is the first symptom; you may feel it in your shoulder even when you don’t use it. Consequently, as the condition progresses, your shoulder's range of motion decreases until you can hardly move it.

In the frozen stage, the pain may go down, but your shoulder becomes stiff, and movement is strenuous. You may even have difficulty reaching things, so your quality of life is compromised.

The last stage is the thawing phase. Pain starts to decrease, and mobility increases, but it may take months or even years to move your shoulder normally.

Who Is at Risk For Frozen Shoulder?

While anyone can develop a frozen shoulder, some people are at a higher risk of this condition. For example, age may play a factor. Frozen shoulder is more common among people aged 40 and above, but younger or older people can also develop it.

Additionally, those who have had a shoulder injury before may be at higher risk for a frozen shoulder. The reason is that if the shoulder joint is immobile for too long, it may lead to this condition.

Individuals with systemic illnesses such as diabetes are also vulnerable to frozen shoulders.

How Do You Treat a Frozen Shoulder?

First, your physician will test and evaluate your condition to diagnose a frozen shoulder. Afterward, treatment will depend on the stage of the frozen shoulder you have. In the early stage, medications can control pain and inflammation. Also, based on the severity of your condition, you may need to undergo surgery.

However, physical therapy is also an effective way to treat this condition and restore full movement in your shoulder joint. Physical therapists are experienced professionals who will create custom exercises for you that target mobility, strength, and flexibility in your shoulder joint.

The supervised exercises may take several weeks to complete. And during that period, you will also receive exercises to do at home and take a break from any activities that might strain your shoulder joint.

The period your shoulder takes to heal will depend on your determination and commitment to the exercises. Always follow all the instructions from your physical therapist.

If you have dealt with a frozen shoulder and your doctor has recommended physical therapy, Advanced Physical Therapy is here to help. We specialize in various therapy treatments and can tailor a plan that suits your needs. Our physical therapists will assess your condition and suggest the correct exercises to get you back in motion as soon as possible. Contact us today for more information.