Conditions we treat
Frozen Shoulder
Reviewed by Andrew Macdonald, Senior Physiotherapist — AHPRA registered, APA member
What is Frozen Shoulder?
Frozen shoulder, also known as adhesive capsulitis, occurs when the capsule surrounding the shoulder joint thickens and tightens, restricting movement. It typically develops gradually over weeks or months and can significantly limit your ability to reach, lift or sleep on the affected side.
Symptoms
Frozen shoulder usually progresses through three stages: a painful “freezing” stage where movement becomes increasingly restricted, a “frozen” stage where pain may ease but stiffness remains severe, and a “thawing” stage where movement gradually returns. Left untreated, the full process can take one to three years.
Treatment
Andrew’s approach depends on which stage you’re in. In the painful freezing stage, treatment focuses on pain relief and protecting the joint — manual therapy, dry needling and gentle mobilisation, alongside advice on activity modification. As stiffness sets in, treatment shifts toward restoring range of motion through joint mobilisation, targeted stretching and a progressive home exercise programme. Shockwave therapy and TENS can also help manage pain throughout.
Frozen shoulder often resolves faster with early treatment, so it’s worth getting it assessed as soon as you notice restricted movement rather than waiting for it to become severe.
How we treat it
Treatments used for frozen shoulder
Manual TherapyManual therapy uses hands-on techniques — soft tissue work, trigger point therapy, joint mobilisation and fascia distortion release — to ease pain, restore movement and speed recovery.
Dry NeedlingDry needling uses thin, sterile needles to release tight, overactive trigger points in muscle — a Western, evidence-based technique distinct from traditional acupuncture.
Shockwave TherapyShockwave therapy uses focused acoustic pulses to stimulate healing in chronic tendon conditions that haven't responded to other treatment, such as Achilles tendinopathy, tennis elbow and plantar fasciitis.
Electrotherapy (TENS & Ultrasound)TENS and ultrasound therapy are used alongside hands-on treatment to manage pain and support tissue healing, particularly for inflammatory conditions like bursitis and acute injuries.
Exercise RehabilitationA structured, progressive exercise programme — tailored to your condition and stage of recovery — to rebuild strength, restore movement and prevent injuries recurring.Frequently asked questions
How long does frozen shoulder last?
Left untreated, frozen shoulder typically progresses through freezing, frozen and thawing stages over one to three years. Starting physiotherapy early — as soon as you notice restricted movement — tends to speed up recovery considerably compared to waiting it out.
Does frozen shoulder go away on its own?
Eventually, in most cases, but it can take years without treatment and the stiffness can be severe in the meantime. Andrew's stage-specific treatment aims to ease pain in the early freezing stage and actively restore range of motion once stiffness sets in, rather than just waiting for it to resolve.
What's the best treatment for frozen shoulder?
Treatment depends on which stage you're in. Early on, the focus is pain relief and protecting the joint with manual therapy and dry needling; as stiffness dominates, joint mobilisation, targeted stretching and a progressive home programme take over, with shockwave therapy and TENS available to help manage pain throughout.
What's the difference between frozen shoulder and a rotator cuff injury?
Frozen shoulder involves the joint capsule tightening, causing progressive stiffness that severely limits movement in all directions. A rotator cuff injury affects specific muscles and tendons, typically causing pain and weakness with certain movements rather than a global loss of motion. Andrew's assessment can tell the two apart, since the right treatment differs.
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