Can physio help a frozen shoulder?

What a frozen shoulder is

A frozen shoulder is when the shoulder becomes stiff and painful, and reaching or lifting the arm gets hard. Simple things like dressing or reaching a shelf become difficult.

It often comes on slowly, without a clear injury. It can be frustrating because it lingers, but it usually improves with patient care.

A physiotherapist guides that recovery so the shoulder loosens safely over time.

Care through the stages

A frozen shoulder often passes through stages. Early on it is mainly painful, then it becomes mainly stiff, and later it slowly thaws.

We match the work to the stage. When pain leads, we focus on easing it and gentle movement. When stiffness leads, we work more on restoring range.

Pushing hard at the wrong stage can stir up pain, so pacing matters. We adjust as the shoulder changes.

What the physiotherapist works on

We assess how far the shoulder moves and where it catches, then use hands-on techniques and guided movement to help it loosen.

As range returns, we build the strength needed for daily tasks, reaching, lifting and dressing.

We also show ways to use the arm through the day that keep it moving without flaring the pain.

When to see a doctor

Most frozen shoulders are not dangerous, but some shoulder pain needs a doctor. Pain after a fall or a clear injury should be checked.

Seek review if the shoulder cannot move at all after an injury, looks a different shape, or if there is a fever with a hot, swollen joint.

We would rather you check early. Once serious causes are ruled out, physiotherapy can safely help the shoulder recover.

Keeping the shoulder moving between visits

A frozen shoulder loosens best when it keeps moving gently between our visits, not just during them.

We show safe ways to use the arm through the day, matched to the stage you are in, so it stays mobile without flaring the pain.

Doing a little often is kinder to the shoulder than one long effort, and it is easier to keep up.