Frozen Shoulder: Causes, Symptoms, & Treatment Options

By Med-Fit Content Team  .  Last Updated Thursday, 2nd February 2023

What is a Frozen Shoulder? 

Frozen shoulder, also known as adhesive capsulitis, is a condition that many people experience as a result of various factors such as serious injuries, accidents, surgery recovery, arthritis, or a sedentary lifestyle. It is characterized by severe shoulder pain and inflammation that persists for several weeks or more.

Main Causes of a Frozen Shoulder:

The exact cause of frozen shoulder is not fully understood, but it is believed to involve the thickening and tightening of the capsule surrounding the shoulder joint. This can limit the joint's range of motion and lead to pain and stiffness. Some common factors that can contribute to the development of frozen shoulder include traumatic injuries, prolonged immobilization, underlying medical conditions like diabetes or thyroid disorders, and certain genetic factors.

Some common causes of frozen shoulder include:

  • Age - This condition affects people between the ages of 40 and 70
  • Hormonal Imbalance - Menopause or a thyroid disorder in women
  • Surgery - Undergoing a spinal or open-heart surgery. Healing from a surgery or an injury can restrict shoulder and arm movements
  • Disease or Stroke - Recovery from a disease or stroke can affect the shoulder nerves
  • Other Diseases - Rotator cuff tear, arthritis, bursitis or tendonitis
  • Genetic Disease - Suffering from a pre-medical condition like diabetes or heart disease
  • Diet - Intake of poor diet and living a sedentary lifestyle

Symptoms of a Frozen Shoulder:

The primary symptoms of frozen shoulder include persistent shoulder pain, stiffness, and limited range of motion. The condition typically progresses through three stages: the freezing stage, the frozen stage, and the thawing stage. During the freezing stage, pain gradually intensifies, and shoulder mobility decreases. In the frozen stage, the pain may decrease, but stiffness becomes more pronounced. Finally, during the thawing stage, pain and stiffness gradually improve, and the shoulder's range of motion starts to return.

Here are the most common symptoms of frozen shoulder:

  • Constant pain in the muscles, joints, and bone around the shoulder
  • Stiffness around the shoulder joint
  • Restricted motion of arm and shoulder
  • Inflammation near shoulder


Best treatment for Frozen Shoulder:

Treatment for frozen shoulder aims to alleviate pain, improve shoulder mobility, and restore function. It often involves a combination of conservative approaches such as physical therapy, pain management, and exercises to stretch and strengthen the shoulder muscles.
In some cases, healthcare professionals may recommend medications to reduce inflammation or injections of corticosteroids to provide temporary relief. In severe cases that do not respond to conservative measures, surgical interventions may be considered.

  • Painkillers: Always consult a doctor or pharmacist before consuming painkillers. Common painkillers can provide instant relief from shoulder pain. Ibuprofen and paracetamol are some of the common painkillers. They reduce any sort of inflammation near the shoulder area. They strengthen the body's muscles, joints, and bones.

  • Stretch the Shoulder: Stretching relieves from muscle soreness. It relaxes the sore muscles and allows it to relax improving flexibility. Start with low stretching, practice it regularly for 2 to 3 times a day. This will improve the stiffness of the shoulder. You can do exercises like neck rolling, cross-arm, or angular neck stretch. This will avoid any inflammation.

  • Pain Relief Gel & Sprays: Some pain relief ointments like gel and spray can provide instant relief from inflammation, shoulder pain, and swelling. To control inflammation, you can apply the anti-inflammatory cream over the affected area near the shoulder. Sprays provide a sense of relief in muscle sprain or any kind of muscle strain. The Polar Frost Gel is a popular choice. 

  • Tens Unit: A TENS unit can stimulate and relax the shoulder muscles. Consult your trainer, physiotherapist, or you can do it on your own using a wireless or rechargeable TENS unit at your home. Placing the electrodes over the frozen shoulder sends signals to the brain that relieve pain. You can tune the settings for proper shoulder pain relief. Tens therapy is a drug-free treatment.

  • Ultrasound Therapy: Ultrasound machines uses sound waves to treat any musculoskeletal problems. It reduces inflammation caused by shoulder injuries or strain. It can resolve damage to the soft muscle tissues, tendons muscles or joint muscles. It can also help in the detection of a rotator cuff tear. The therapeutic ultrasound machine can be easy to use at home.

  • Yoga & Exercise: If you are suffering from any minor shoulder kinks, do regular exercise. Regular yoga can also help to get relieved from the frozen shoulder. Practice some yoga postures that help you loosen muscle stiffness. Exercise and Yoga are drug-free treatments aiding relief and muscle strengthening. You can watch the Yoga videos or attend Yoga classes nearby. Start with a warm-up before indulging in exercises.

  • Hot or Cold Compression: Ice and heat can give your frozen shoulder a sensation of relief. Put ice cubes in a cloth and apply it over your shoulder to reduce pain and inflammation. Apply it for over 15 to 20 minutes. Repeat this for every three to four hours a day. If you feel better, use a heating pack or a hot pack to tighten the sore muscles.

  • Physiotherapy: If the frozen shoulder still affects your daily work, undergo physiotherapy. This drug-free treatment helps you understand the pain over the affected area, manage and provide a sense of relief. It also improves the flexibility and strength of shoulder muscles. A trained physiotherapist can advise you exercises according to the intensity of your pain due to frozen shoulder.

  • Shoulder Arthroscopy: Shoulder Arthroscopy surgery examines and repairs the sore tissues in and around the shoulder. It is a safe treatment and provides faster relief than other open surgeries. Depending on the kind of injury, the healing process takes time. Usually, it takes 1 to 6 months. Here is the complete video of Shoulder Arthroscopy.