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Quick Summary
Frozen shoulder (adhesive capsulitis) is a condition where the tissue surrounding your shoulder joint becomes inflamed, thickened, and tight — causing progressive pain and stiffness. It affects 2–5% of the population, most commonly between ages 40 and 60. Specialist physiotherapy can help. Most patients see meaningful improvement within 6–12 sessions.
What Is a Frozen Shoulder?
Frozen shoulder — known medically as adhesive capsulitis and called 오십견 (oh-ship-gyeon) in Korean — is a condition where the flexible tissue surrounding your shoulder joint (the joint capsule) becomes inflamed, thickened, and tight.
The capsule normally allows your shoulder to move freely in all directions. When frozen shoulder develops, the capsule shrinks and stiff bands of scar tissue (adhesions) form, dramatically reducing how far your shoulder can move.
The condition typically affects one shoulder at a time, though up to 20% of people eventually develop it in the opposite shoulder. Frozen shoulder progresses through three stages:
Stage 1 — Freezing (2–9 months): Gradual onset of deep shoulder pain, often worse at night. Movement starts to decrease, but pain is the main problem.
Stage 2 — Frozen (4–12 months): Pain eases but stiffness becomes the main issue. Your shoulder feels "locked" and everyday tasks become very difficult.
Stage 3 — Thawing (6–24 months): Movement gradually returns and pain continues to decrease. Physiotherapy during this stage helps restore strength and full function.
Without treatment, frozen shoulder can take 1–3 years to resolve, and up to 41% of patients retain some symptoms even after 4 years. This is why early physiotherapy management matters.
Research supports physiotherapy including manual therapy as an effective first-line approach. The UK FROST trial (Rangan et al., The Lancet, 2020) found that early structured physiotherapy achieved outcomes equivalent to surgical intervention. Individual results may vary.
Do You Experience These Symptoms?
✓ Gradual onset of deep shoulder pain that developed over weeks or months, often felt near the outside of your upper arm
✓ Severe night pain that disrupts your sleep, particularly when lying on the affected side
✓ Progressive stiffness making it harder to move your shoulder, especially turning your arm outward or reaching behind your back
✓ Difficulty with everyday tasks such as dressing, fastening a bra, combing your hair, or reaching into a back pocket
✓ Restricted ability to reach overhead — for example, reaching a high cupboard or putting on a seatbelt
✓ Both active and passive movement are limited — your shoulder is restricted whether you move it yourself or someone else tries to move it
✓ Muscle weakening around the shoulder due to prolonged reduced use
These symptoms are treatable. Specialist physiotherapy can help.
What Causes Frozen Shoulder?
• Diabetes mellitus — the strongest known risk factor
People with diabetes are approximately five times more likely to develop frozen shoulder.
High blood sugar levels cause changes in collagen, making the joint capsule stiffer and more prone to inflammation.
• Post-surgery or prolonged immobilisation
Frozen shoulder frequently develops after a period when the shoulder has been kept still — following cardiac surgery, breast surgery, a fracture, or extended bed rest.
Reduced movement leads to gradual tightening and inflammation of the joint capsule.
• Hormonal and thyroid factors
Thyroid disease significantly increases frozen shoulder risk, with hypothyroidism raising risk by almost two-fold.
The condition is also more prevalent during the perimenopausal period, suggesting hormonal changes play a role.
• Previous shoulder injury or surgery
A prior rotator cuff tear, labral injury, or shoulder dislocation can trigger secondary frozen shoulder.
The initial injury causes protective guarding and reduced movement, creating a cycle of inflammation and capsular tightening.
• Age and gender
Frozen shoulder predominantly affects people aged 40–60, with a mean onset around age 53. It is more common in women than men.
There is a genetic component — research shows a 2–3 fold increased risk if a close family member has had the condition.
How We Treat Frozen Shoulder at J&J Therapy
We go beyond exercise sheets. Your first session is a full 45-minute assessment AND treatment - so you leave feeling the difference.
Hands-On Manual Therapy
Targeted glenohumeral joint mobilisation and capsular stretching techniques to gradually restore shoulder movement and reduce stiffness — from your very first session.
Shockwave Therapy*
Swiss Storz Medical MASTERPULS
to promote tissue healing, improve blood flow to the inflamed joint capsule, and reduce pain.
Non-invasive, evidence-based.
Targeted Exercise Programme
Personalised range-of-motion exercises, progressive strengthening, and scapular stabilisation work to maintain your progress and prevent recurrence.
Shockwave Therapy
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Chronic neck tension and trigger points in the upper trapezius and surrounding muscles can be difficult to resolve with exercise alone. Our Swiss-manufactured Storz Medical MASTERPULS shockwave system delivers precise acoustic waves to break down muscle knots, improve blood flow, and support the body's natural healing response.
Swiss Storz Medical MASTERPULS - clinical-grade precision
Non-invasive — no needles, no medication
Stimulates natural tissue repair and blood flow
Typically 3-6 sessions for lasting improvement
Results may vary. Your physiotherapist will recommend the best plan for your specific condition.
When to Seek Urgent Medical Help
While most symptoms are not serious, urgent medical attention is required if you experience any of the following:
A hot, red, swollen shoulder with fever or chills (possible infection)
Sudden inability to move your arm after a fall or impact
Persistent non-mechanical night pain with unexplained weight loss
Numbness, tingling, weakness, or colour changes in your arm or hand
FAQs About Frozen Shoulder
How long does frozen shoulder last?
Without treatment, frozen shoulder typically resolves over 1–3 years. However, research shows that 41% of patients still have some symptoms after 4 years. Active physiotherapy can significantly reduce recovery time — most patients in our clinic see meaningful progress within 8–16 weeks of consistent treatment combined with a home exercise programme.
Can physiotherapy help frozen shoulder?
Yes — physiotherapy is recommended as a first-line treatment by NICE, the British Elbow and Shoulder Society, and the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy. The UK FROST trial found that early structured physiotherapy achieved outcomes equivalent to surgical intervention at 12 months. Up to 90% of cases respond to conservative treatment.
Is frozen shoulder the same as a rotator cuff injury?
No — these are different conditions. With frozen shoulder, your shoulder is restricted whether you move it yourself or someone else moves it for you. With a rotator cuff injury, a therapist can often move your arm through a fuller range passively. A thorough assessment can determine the correct diagnosis.
Should I move my shoulder if it hurts?
Yes, but within reason. Complete rest can worsen frozen shoulder by allowing further tightening. Gentle, regular movement within your pain tolerance is essential. Your physiotherapist will show you exactly which exercises to do and how far to push — the key is finding the right balance.
This page is for general information only and does not replace professional medical advice.
Reviewed by Lavya Arigalayan, MSc, HCPC Registered Physiotherapist.
Last reviewed:
2026년 4월 4일