Physiotherapy for Frozen Shoulder

man suffering from pain on right shoulder

Frozen shoulder can make everyday movements, such as reaching overhead, dressing, or carrying bags, feel painful and restricted. At Benchmark Physio, our physiotherapists provide personalised treatment plans to reduce stiffness, ease pain, and restore shoulder mobility.

We use evidence-based techniques including manual therapy, targeted exercises, and posture correction to support recovery. Our goal is to help you regain function and return to your daily activities with confidence. Book a consultation today to start your treatment for frozen shoulder in Singapore.

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Table of Contents

Meet Our Therapists for Frozen Shoulder

What is a Frozen Shoulder?

Stages of Frozen Shoulder

Factors Contributing to Frozen Shoulder

Symptoms of Frozen Shoulder

Frozen Shoulder Physiotherapy Solutions

How a Frozen Shoulder is Diagnosed

How to Prevent Frozen Shoulders

Frequently Asked Questions About Physio for Frozen Shoulder

Find Strategies to Manage Frozen Shoulders

Meet Our Therapists for Frozen Shoulder

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Ng Hong Kai

Clinic Director and Chief Physiotherapist​​

  • Master of Clinical Physiotherapy (Musculoskeletal), Curtin University (Australia)
  • Master of Physiotherapy, University of Sydney (Australia)
  • Bachelor of Applied Science (Exercise & Sports Science), University of Sydney (Australia)
  • Member of the Australian College of Physiotherapists and Australian Physiotherapy Association
  • Fully registered with the Allied Health Professions Council, Singapore, and the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency
  • GEMt Advanced Dry Needling Practitioner

Hong Kai has been practising musculoskeletal physiotherapy for more than a decade. He is the first Singaporean to achieve dual credentials as both an APA Titled Musculoskeletal Physiotherapist and a tertiary-trained Exercise Scientist.

Hong Kai's broad and extensive skill set allows him to create solutions that are simple, effective, and tailored to a client’s musculoskeletal needs. His belief in continuing education and self-improvement led him to complete his Master’s in Clinical Physiotherapy (Musculoskeletal), where he had the opportunity to participate in formal research into knee osteoarthritis under the supervision of world-renowned researcher and physiotherapist Prof. Peter O’Sullivan.

Hong Kai has experience treating a variety of musculoskeletal conditions, with a specific focus on addressing lower back, neck, shoulder, and knee pain.

Darren Choo

Principal Sports Massage Therapist​

  • Diploma in Pearson BTEC Level 3 Sports Massage
  • Workforce International Skills Certification (WISC) Certified Sports Massage Therapist
  • Trigger Point Therapy 
  • Myofascial Release Therapy 
  • Movement & Performance Therapy Specialist
  • Stretch Therapy 

Being an active practitioner for numerous years, Darren is trained and has experience in addressing various musculoskeletal conditions using a variety of techniques, including trigger point therapy, clinical dry cupping, myofascial scraping (instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilisation) and PNF stretching.

Darren has experience addressing a variety of conditions, including shoulder pain, knee pain, hip pain, leg pain and neck pain. Darren can also perform a relaxing deep-tissue massage to relieve general stress and fatigue or focus on problematic areas.

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What is a Frozen Shoulder?

Frozen shoulder, also known as adhesive capsulitis, is a condition characterised by pain, stiffness, and limited range of motion in the shoulder joint. Other common names include:

  • Painful stiff shoulder
  • Periarthritis
  • Idiopathic restriction of shoulder movement

It occurs due to inflammation and thickening of the capsule surrounding the joint, restricting its movement and causing the characteristic “frozen” feeling.

This condition can significantly impact daily activities, making simple tasks like reaching overhead or behind your back challenging. While the exact cause remains unclear, it is often associated with prolonged shoulder immobility, such as after an injury or surgery.

Stages of Frozen Shoulder

Living with a frozen shoulder can impact your daily life, affecting your ability to perform even simple tasks and reducing your overall quality of life. Understanding the different stages of this condition can help you manage expectations and seek timely treatment, such as physiotherapy, for managing the pain and discomfort.

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Factors Contributing to Frozen Shoulder

Pinpointing the exact causes of a frozen shoulder can be challenging. In many cases, there’s no clear trigger, a situation referred to as primary frozen shoulder. However, we do know that inflammation plays a significant role. This inflammation causes the capsule surrounding the shoulder joint to become thick and tight, restricting movement and leading to stiffness.

While the precise causes remain undetermined, certain factors can increase your risk of developing a frozen shoulder:

  • Age and Gender: Frozen shoulder is more common in adults over 40, particularly women.
  • Underlying Health Conditions: People with certain health conditions like diabetes, thyroid problems, or Parkinson’s disease may be more susceptible.
  • Recent Surgery or Injury: Prolonged immobility of the shoulder, such as after surgery or an injury, can sometimes trigger a secondary frozen shoulder.
man with black shirt suffering from pain on left shoulder

Symptoms of Frozen Shoulder

Frozen shoulder often starts subtly, but its symptoms can progressively worsen, impacting your daily life. Key symptoms include:

  • Shoulder Pain: This is the most common symptom, often described as a dull, aching pain deep within the shoulder joint. The pain may worsen at night or with specific movements.
  • Limited Range of Motion: You’ll experience increasing difficulty moving your shoulder, particularly with reaching overhead, behind your back, or across your body. This limitation affects both active movements (initiated by you) and passive movements (assisted by someone else).
  • Stiffness: The shoulder joint feels stiff and tight, making it challenging to perform everyday tasks like dressing, combing your hair, or reaching for objects.
  • Pain at Night: The pain may intensify at night, disrupting your sleep and affecting your overall well-being.

Frozen Shoulder Physiotherapy Solutions

Managing a frozen shoulder typically involves a combination of non-surgical and, in some cases, surgical approaches, aimed at reducing pain, improving mobility, and restoring function.

Non-surgical treatment options include:

  • Physiotherapy: A cornerstone of frozen shoulder treatment, physiotherapy utilises various techniques tailored to your specific needs and stage of the condition. It may include:
    • Stretching exercises: To maintain and improve range of motion, prevent muscle atrophy, and reduce stiffness.
    • Manual therapy: Hands-on techniques like joint mobilisation and soft tissue release to improve joint mobility and reduce pain.
    • Modalities: Using heat, ice, ultrasound, or interferential therapy to manage pain and inflammation.
    • Strengthening exercises: To improve muscle strength and stability around the shoulder joint, supporting better movement and function.
    • Postural and ergonomic advice: Guidance on maintaining proper posture and ergonomics to reduce strain on the shoulder and promote healing.
  • Medications: Over-the-counter or prescription pain relievers and anti-inflammatory medications may be used to manage pain and discomfort.
  • Corticosteroid Injections: These injections can help reduce inflammation and pain in the shoulder joint, providing temporary relief.
  • Hydrodilatation: This procedure involves injecting fluid into the shoulder joint to stretch the capsule and improve range of motion.

Surgery may be considered in severe or persistent cases where non-surgical treatments haven’t provided sufficient relief. The most common surgical procedure for a frozen shoulder is arthroscopic capsular release. This minimally invasive surgery involves cutting the tightened capsule to release the shoulder joint and improve mobility.

Following surgery, physiotherapy plays a crucial role in optimising recovery and regaining full shoulder function. Your physiotherapist will guide you through a personalised post-surgical rehabilitation programme that may include exercises, manual therapy, and other techniques to help you regain strength, flexibility, and range of motion.

How a Frozen Shoulder is Diagnosed

Diagnosing a frozen shoulder typically involves a combination of a physical examination, discussion about your symptoms, and a review of your medical history. Your doctor or physiotherapist will carefully assess your shoulder’s range of motion and identify areas of tenderness or pain. They’ll also inquire about the onset and severity of your symptoms, as well as any activities that aggravate or alleviate them. In some cases, additional tests like nerve conduction studies, electromyography (EMG), or imaging tests such as X-rays or MRI scans may be recommended to rule out other conditions or confirm the diagnosis.

athlete in singlet showing his shoulders

How to Prevent Frozen Shoulders

While preventing a frozen shoulder isn’t always possible, especially when there’s no identifiable cause, you can take steps to reduce your risk. If you’ve recently experienced a shoulder injury or surgery, early mobilisation and gentle range-of-motion exercises under the guidance of a physiotherapist are crucial. These exercises can help prevent stiffness, maintain mobility, and minimise the likelihood of developing frozen shoulders.

Frequently Asked Questions About Physio for Frozen Shoulder

While many individuals experience significant improvement in their range of motion with appropriate treatment, including physiotherapy for frozen shoulders, a full recovery depends on several factors. These include the therapy approach, overall health condition, and adherence to the prescribed treatment plan.

The healing time for a frozen shoulder varies considerably from person to person. Factors such as the severity of your condition, the specific therapies used, and your overall health and response to therapy can all influence the duration of recovery.

If left untreated, a frozen shoulder can lead to prolonged pain, severely restricted shoulder movement, and potentially even long-term disability. Seeking professional advice and treatment is crucial for managing the chronic pain and dysfunction associated with this condition.

Find Strategies to Manage Frozen Shoulders

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