Frozen Shoulder
Frozen shoulder is a painful, stiff, and often confusing condition — but with the right information and guidance, recovery is absolutely achievable.
If you’re looking to understand frozen shoulder, learn the stages, explore treatment options, or find exercises suited to your stage, you’re in the right place.
At Perth Shoulder Physio, frozen shoulder is one of our strongest clinical areas. We’ve treated hundreds of cases and created a resource to help you learn, understand, and take control of your recovery.
For personalised assessment and treatment, book an appointment at Perth Shoulder Physio — frozen shoulder is one of our core areas of expertise.
How this Page Fits Together
This page provides an overview of frozen shoulder. For more detail, you can explore specific sections below covering symptoms, stages, exercises, recovery timelines, injections, and treatment options.
What Is Frozen Shoulder?
Frozen shoulder (adhesive capsulitis) occurs when the shoulder capsule becomes inflamed, thickened, and tight. This leads to:
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Pain (often significant)
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Progressive stiffness
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Difficulty sleeping
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The loss of movement can develop over weeks or months
It behaves differently from most other shoulder conditions, which is why accurate diagnosis and stage-specific treatment are so important.
Learn more here: What is Frozen Shoulder? (coming soon)
Common Symptoms
Frozen shoulder usually presents with:
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Shoulder pain at rest and with movement
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Difficulty lifting the arm
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Restricted reach behind the back
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Night pain
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Gradual loss of motion over time
These symptoms can overlap with other conditions (e.g., bursitis, rotator cuff issues, impingement), so a proper assessment is essential.
See all frozen shoulder symptoms here. (coming soon)
Stages of Frozen Shoulder
Understanding how symptoms change over time can help you know what to expect.
In adhesive capsulitis, pain often peaks early (freezing phase), while stiffness may continue even after pain declines. The graph below illustrates this common pattern.
Frozen shoulder progresses through three main stages:
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Freezing Stage (Pain-Dominant)
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Frozen Stage (Stiffness-Dominant)
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Thawing Stage (Recovery)
Each stage behaves differently and requires a different treatment approach.
Learn about the frozen shoulder stages in detail. (coming soon)
How Long Does Frozen Shoulder Last?
Frozen shoulder can last anywhere from 12–36 months, depending on the stage, severity, and treatment strategy. Correct management can reduce pain and improve mobility much sooner.
Read more about how long frozen shoulder lasts. (coming soon)
Frozen Shoulder Treatment Options
The right treatment depends entirely on your current stage. Early treatment focuses on calming pain and inflammation, while later treatment focuses on restoring movement and building strength.
At Perth Shoulder Physio, we excel in accurate diagnosis and stage-specific rehabilitation.
See our complete frozen shoulder treatment approach. (coming soon)
Exercises for Frozen Shoulder
Not all exercises are appropriate for every stage.
The best exercises depend on whether your shoulder is:
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Pain-dominant
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Stiffness-dominant
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Starting to recover
Doing the wrong exercises too early can flare symptoms, while doing too little later can slow progress.
View frozen shoulder exercises suited to each stage. (coming soon)
Injection Options
A cortisone injection can be effective during the early pain-dominant stage, especially when performed into the glenohumeral joint under imaging guidance.
Learn which injections help for frozen shoulder and which don’t. (coming soon)
Frozen Shoulder FAQs
Common questions include:
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Should I stretch a frozen shoulder?
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How do I know what stage I’m in?
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Will it get better on its own?
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Do I need imaging?
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When should I see a physio?
See all Frozen Shoulder FAQs. (coming soon)
Free Download: Frozen Shoulder at a Glance
Want an easy one-page summary of symptoms, stages, and general treatment principles? Download our free resource here:
Download your free frozen shoulder summary. (coming soon)
Frozen Shoulder Self-Care Guide
For a deeper, step-by-step recovery plan — including exercises, pain management strategies, sleep tips, timelines, and stage-specific advice — explore our full Frozen Shoulder Treatment Guide.
Learn more about the full frozen shoulder guide. (coming soon)
Get a Frozen Shoulder Diagnosis
The best place to start is with an accurate diagnosis and a clear plan.
If you’re unsure which stage you’re in or what to do next, we can help.
Book an appointment with Perth Shoulder Physio
Frozen shoulder diagnosis and treatment in Perth.