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Frozen Shoulder

A painful, stiff shoulder that becomes very difficult to move, often over many months.

What is Frozen Shoulder?

Frozen shoulder is a condition where the shoulder becomes painful and stiff, making it hard to move your arm. It tends to develop slowly and can take months or even years to fully recover.

Treatment focuses on managing pain and keeping as much movement as possible while the shoulder recovers.

Common signs

  • Shoulder pain, often worse at night
  • Increasing stiffness in the shoulder
  • Difficulty lifting the arm or reaching behind you
  • Pain that makes everyday tasks like dressing harder
  • Gradual improvement in movement over time

How can therapists help?

Physiotherapists can guide gentle exercises and stretches to maintain and gradually restore movement. Osteopaths and soft tissue therapists can help ease pain and tension around the shoulder, and massage may help with associated muscle tightness in the neck and upper back.

Physiotherapists Osteopaths Soft tissue therapy Musculoskeletal therapy Back, neck & shoulder massage
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This page is for general information only and is not a diagnosis or a substitute for medical advice. If your pain is severe, came on after a serious injury, is getting worse, or comes with symptoms such as numbness, weakness, fever or loss of bladder or bowel control, speak to your GP or call NHS 111 — or 999 in an emergency.

Other physical conditions

Back Pain Neck & Shoulder Pain Sciatica Migraines & Headaches Arthritis & Joint Pain Fibromyalgia Sports Injuries Knee Pain Hip Pain Plantar Fasciitis & Foot Pain Tennis & Golfer's Elbow RSI & Carpal Tunnel Whiplash Jaw Pain (TMJ) Muscle Tension & Stiffness Posture Problems