Frozen Shoulder: Why It Happens and How Physiotherapy Restores Movement

A frozen shoulder (adhesive capsulitis) is one of the more frustrating shoulder problems — the joint becomes painful, then progressively stiff and "stuck", sometimes for many months. The good news: it almost always recovers, and physiotherapy can ease the pain and speed the return of movement.

What is frozen shoulder?

The capsule around the shoulder joint becomes inflamed, thickened and tight, which limits movement in every direction. Everyday actions — reaching behind your back, combing your hair, putting on a shirt — become difficult and painful.

The three stages

1. Freezing — increasing pain as the shoulder slowly stiffens (weeks to months)
2. Frozen — pain may ease, but stiffness is at its worst
3. Thawing — movement gradually returns

Who gets it?

Frozen shoulder is more common between ages 40 and 60, in women, and especially in people with diabetes or thyroid problems, or after a period of keeping the arm still — for example after an injury or surgery.

How physiotherapy helps

At SPC we match treatment to the stage:

• Pain relief with electrotherapy and gentle hands-on techniques
• Mobilisation to restore range of motion without aggravating the joint
• A daily stretching and exercise programme so progress continues at home

Pushing too hard, too early can worsen the pain. The skill is in progressing at the right pace — which is where guided physiotherapy makes a real difference.

Struggling with a stiff, painful shoulder in Chittagong? Visit SPC at 2 No. Gate, Sholoshohor, open daily 10 AM–9 PM, or message us on WhatsApp.