Frozen shoulder, also known as adhesive capsulitis, is a condition characterized by stiffness and pain in your shoulder joint. Signs and symptoms typically begin gradually, worsen over time and then resolve, usually within one to three years.
The shoulder is made up of the shoulderblade (also called the scapula), the collar bone, and the top part of the upper bone of the arm which is called the humerus. The rounded head of the humerus meets the scapula at a shallow cup in the shoulderblade called the glenoid. Because the glenoid is not a deep structure, the rounded head of the humerus does not fit snugly within it and so glides around. This ease of gliding and movement is what contributes to the flexibility and large working range of the shoulder joint as a whole. The shoulder joint is flexible, but unstable because of its flexibility and is therefore easily dislocated, may occur because of everyday factors or from sport (Cogan et al., 2021).. It is stabilised by the action of muscles that lie over and under the joint, as well as the ligaments that tie the bones together.
The shoulder is also stabilised by the joint capsule of the glenohumeral (shoulder) joint. The joint capsule is a sheath that arises from tissue overlying the bones of the shoulderblade and the upper arm. The joint capsule is responsible for maintaining the health of the cartilage that composes the shoulder joint as well as ensuring separation of the joint space from the outside environment. Typically, the joint capsule of the shoulder or any other joint contains synovial fluid in the joint space- a lubricating liquid that minimises the effect of pressure and loading, which improves the movement of cartilaginous surfaces, and which promotes the health of the joint.
Frozen shoulder is the common-language name for adhesive capsulitis, a condition in which inflammation of the shoulder joint capsule results in the formation of adhesions. Adhesive capsulitis affects approximately 2–5% of the general population (Alomari & Peng, 2025), and its impact on daily function is substantial. These adhesions are infiltrations of tissue called fibroblasts, which form inappropriate linkages between the different surfaces of the shoulder joint which make movements stiff and painful. The formation of these adhesions can also result in the swelling of the joint, making it painful to touch, move, and use. Because the shoulder is an inherently unstable joint, it is prone to damage and distress as the result of movement, loading, reaching, and external trauma. The immediate and accumulative effects of these physical obligations can result in an inflammatory response that becomes persistent and painful.
Adhesive Capsulitis is strongly associated with systemic factors. For example, individuals with diabetes have a threefold higher prevalence of adhesive capsulitis compared with non‑diabetic populations, where their prevalence has been reported as high as 20% (Hamid et al., 2023). This suggests that metabolic health is a point of consideration in the management of frozen shoulder. Mechanical stressors also contribute. Because the shoulder is inherently unstable, it is susceptible to accumulative trauma and strain from repetitive reaching, loading, and overhead activity. These cumulative stresses can provoke an inflammatory response within the capsule, which may evolve into adhesive capsulitis. The natural history of the condition is fairly stereotypical: most individuals experience a freezing phase, a frozen phase, and a thawing phase, with total duration often extending beyond 12–24 months (Hudnall, 2025). Time is one of the most influential variables in the course of adhesive capsulitis.
Management of your discomfort depends on its causative factors, how it feels and changes during the day, what makes it better and worse, and the length of time you have been experiencing that pain. Your initial assessment covers all of these factors and sets the foundation for reducing pain and improving movement. From there, your treatment plan is tailored to your situation, focusing on easing discomfort, restoring pain‑free mobility, and building strategies to reduce the chance of flare‑ups in the future.
At Atlas Physio, we provide clear education, structured management, and ongoing support both in the clinic and at home. With bulk‑billing available, open seven days a week, open weekends, and no gap for WorkCover or TAC clients, accessing quality care is straightforward. Get in touch today and take the first step toward living more comfortably and confidently, supported by treatment that’s practical, reliable, and designed for lasting results.
REFERENCES
Alomari, A., & Peng, P. (2025). Current concepts on the intervention for adhesive capsulitis. Exploration of Musculoskeletal Diseases, 3
Cogan, C. J., Cevallos, N., Freshman, R. D., Lansdown, D., Feeley, B. T., & Zhang, A. L. (2021). Evaluating utilization trends in adhesive capsulitis of the shoulder: A retrospective cohort analysis of a large database. Orthopaedic Journal of Sports Medicine, 9(12).
Hamid, A., Latif, U., Bukhari, A. H., Rafique, H., Fatima, K., & Javed, H. R. (2023). Prevalence of adhesive capsulitis among diabetics and non‑diabetics with shoulder pain in the general population. Pakistan Journal of Health Sciences, 67–71.
Hudnall, S. (2025). Frozen shoulder (adhesive capsulitis). UpToDate. Retrieved 14th December 2025 from https://www.uptodate.com/contents/frozen-shoulder-adhesive-capsulitis