Frozen shoulder (adhesive capsulitis) makes the shoulder painful and so stiff that everyday movements, like reaching up or putting on a coat, become hard. It develops slowly and can last for months or even a few years, but most people recover.
Imagine your shoulder aching for weeks, then realising you can no longer reach the top shelf or fasten your bra. Understanding the stages helps you know what to expect, and which treatments help at each one.
The three stages
- Freezing: pain builds, often worse at night, and movement starts to stiffen
- Frozen: pain may ease, but stiffness is at its worst
- Thawing: movement slowly returns
The whole process often takes one to three years.
Who is more likely to get it
- People aged roughly 40 to 60, and more often women
- People with diabetes or thyroid problems
- After a shoulder injury or surgery, or a period when the arm was kept still
Treatments that help
- Pain relief such as paracetamol or anti-inflammatory painkillers
- Gentle shoulder exercises and physiotherapy to keep as much movement as possible
- Steroid injections into the shoulder, which can ease pain, especially early on
- Procedures such as hydrodilatation or surgery, if other treatments don’t help
But shouldn’t I rest it completely?
No. Keeping the shoulder completely still can make stiffness worse. Gentle movement within your pain limits, guided by a physiotherapist, helps preserve movement. Avoid forcing painful stretches during the freezing stage.
Your next step: If shoulder pain and stiffness have lasted more than a couple of weeks, see a doctor or physiotherapist. If you have diabetes, mention it, as it raises the risk.
Sources: NHS, “Frozen shoulder”; American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (OrthoInfo), “Frozen shoulder”. This guide is for general information and does not replace advice from your own nurse, doctor or pharmacist.
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