Frozen Sholder
What is frozen shoulder?
What are the symptoms of frozen shoulder?
What are the causes of frozen shoulder?
Treatment of frozen shoulder
In some cases, the condition will heal itself over time. The NHS advises that frozen shoulder will get better on its own in around three years. The good news is that there are treatments available that can help reduce the timeframe.
According to NICE guidelines, one option where it is not improving is steroid injections, which can help to reduce inflammation and pain. Another option is manual therapy with a Chiropractor, Osteopath, Physiotherapist or Sports Therapist, which can help to stretch and strengthen the muscles around the shoulder joint.
If you are experiencing pain and limited range of motion in your shoulder, talk to your doctor about treatment options.

Manual therapy would likely involve:
- Gentle mobilisation, progressing to firmer mobilisation;
- Acupuncture
- Soft tissue release
- Shockwave therapy
- Exercise (e.g. stretching)
Can frozen shoulder cause other issues?
Can frozen shoulder be confused with anything else?
Can I treat frozen shoulder at home?
Frozen shoulder can be treated at home though alternating icing and heating the affected area.
Gentle mobilisation will also improve the range of motion. This can be done through placing the hand and forearm on a door frame, with the elbow bent at 90° and upper arm arm at 90° to the body. A deeper stretch can be obtained by rotating the body away from the door frame, opening up the chest.
Sleep can be improved by hugging a pillow, taking the pressure off the shoulder itself.