Frozen Shoulder
Frozen Shoulder Treatment in Sydney
Get expert physiotherapy for frozen shoulder, also known as adhesive capsulitis, at any of our eight clinics across Sydney. Our physiotherapists guide you through the right treatment at every stage of recovery, with hands-on care and tailored exercise that respects where your shoulder is in the condition. Medicare and NDIS funding accepted.
Expert Physiotherapy for Frozen Shoulder
Frozen shoulder is a painful, often confusing condition where the joint capsule of the shoulder becomes inflamed, thickened and tight, gradually losing both movement and function. It can take a year or longer to settle, and the right physiotherapy at the right stage genuinely makes a difference to how comfortable that journey is and how complete the recovery.
At iPhysio Australia, our frozen shoulder treatment in Sydney is grounded in current evidence, with care tailored to whether pain or stiffness is the bigger limiter for you at any given point. You can be seen at any of our eight clinics across Sydney.
What is Frozen Shoulder?
Frozen shoulder, clinically known as adhesive capsulitis, is a condition where the connective tissue capsule surrounding the shoulder joint becomes inflamed and gradually tightens. As the capsule thickens and forms adhesions, the shoulder loses range of movement, particularly external rotation (turning the arm outwards).
The exact cause is not always clear, but the condition follows a recognisable pattern of pain and progressive stiffness that physiotherapy is well-placed to manage.
Causes and Risk Factors
The exact cause of frozen shoulder is often not clear. In many cases it develops without an obvious trigger, while in others it follows a period of immobilisation, an injury or shoulder surgery.
The factors that increase the likelihood of developing frozen shoulder include:
- Age between 40 and 65, the most common age range
- Female sex, women are affected more often than men
- Diabetes, people with diabetes are up to five times more likely to develop it
- Other conditions such as thyroid disorders, Parkinson's disease or cardiovascular disease
- Recent shoulder injury, surgery or prolonged immobilisation of the arm
The Three Stages of Frozen Shoulder
Frozen shoulder typically progresses through three overlapping stages, though the timeline varies significantly from person to person.
Stage 1: Freezing (pain dominates)
Shoulder pain increases gradually, often worse at night, with movement starting to feel restricted. Usually lasts six weeks to nine months. Physiotherapy focuses on pain control and gentle, pain-limited movement to protect the joint.
Stage 2: Frozen (stiffness dominates)
Pain often eases but stiffness becomes the main limiter, making everyday tasks like dressing or reaching overhead difficult. Usually lasts four to twelve months. Physiotherapy shifts toward more assertive mobility work to address the capsular tightness.
Stage 3: Thawing (recovery)
Movement gradually returns and pain continues to settle. Can last six months to two years. Strengthening and a graded return to activity drive the recovery forward.
Modern physiotherapy treatment is guided by whether pain or stiffness is the bigger limiter at any given moment, not by the calendar alone. The stages give a useful map, but the right exercises and techniques depend on what your shoulder is actually doing today.
Symptoms and When to See a Physiotherapist
The most common symptoms of frozen shoulder include:
- A deep, aching shoulder pain that often disturbs sleep
- Pain that worsens at night or when lying on the affected side
- Progressive loss of shoulder movement, particularly when turning the arm outwards or reaching behind the back
- A feeling that the shoulder is "stuck" or won't move
- Difficulty with everyday tasks like dressing, brushing hair or reaching overhead
Seeing a physiotherapist early often shortens the painful phase and reduces the eventual loss of movement. Seek urgent medical attention rather than physiotherapy if you have severe shoulder pain after a fall, significant swelling or bruising, or any signs of infection like redness or fever, which need a medical opinion first.
How Our Physiotherapists Treat Frozen Shoulder
Effective frozen shoulder physiotherapy is about matching the right care to where you are in the condition. Our physiotherapists assess your shoulder, your pain pattern and the impact on your daily life, then build a treatment plan that adjusts as your shoulder changes.
Comprehensive Assessment
A detailed evaluation of your shoulder movement, pain pattern and stage, so treatment matches what your shoulder actually needs at this point.
Stage Appropriate Manual Therapy
Hands-on techniques that change with the condition: gentle work to ease pain in the early stage, then progressive joint mobilisation as stiffness becomes the focus.
Tailored Exercise Programme
A progressive plan of mobility and strengthening exercises, carefully dosed to support movement without aggravating pain.
Dry Needling and Soft Tissue Therapy
Targeted techniques to release the surrounding muscles that often tighten in response to a frozen shoulder.
Education and Self Management
Practical guidance on sleeping positions, dressing strategies and the realistic timeline of recovery, so you can manage the condition with confidence between sessions.
Managing Frozen Shoulder at Home
leep position, gentle daily movement, heat for tight muscles and pacing your activities can all help you manage frozen shoulder between physiotherapy sessions.
For more detailed self-management tips, see our guide to 5 simple ways to get relief from frozen shoulder pain at home.
If your shoulder isn’t improving or your pain is severe, have it properly assessed by a physiotherapist.
Frozen Shoulder Treatment Across Our 8 Sydney Clinics
You can see one of our physiotherapists for frozen shoulder at any of our eight clinics across Sydney. Choose the clinic most convenient for you:
T: 02 9718 1906
E:
Location
255 Burwood Road, Belmore, NSW 2192
Operating Hours
Monday – Friday: 8am – 6pm
Saturday: 8am – 12pm
T: 0423 078 384
E:
Location
26 Bridge Rd (Canterbury Leagues)
Belmore, NSW 2192
Operating Hours
Monday – Friday: 8am – 7pm
Saturday: 8am – 12pm
T: 02 8765 1300
E:
Location
Level 1, 63 Majors Bay Road
Concord, NSW 2137
Operating Hours
Monday – Friday: 8.30am – 7pm
Saturday: 9am – 1pm
T: 0429 928 811
E:
Location
Room 5, 213-219 Darlinghurst Rd
Darlinghurst, NSW 2010
Operating Hours
Monday – Friday: 8am – 6pm
T: 02 8608 1148
E:
Location
Shop 1, 180 Pitt St
Merrylands, NSW 2160
Operating Hours
Monday – Friday: 8am – 7pm
Saturday: 8am – 2pm
T: 02 9739 6783
E: reception@iphysioaustralia.com.au
Location
8 – 10 Edwin St (inside the gym)
Mortlake, NSW 2137
Operating Hours
Monday – Friday: 8am – 7pm
Saturday: 8am – 2pm
T: 02 9798 8790
E:
Location
1 Hardie Ave
Summer Hill NSW 2130
Operating Hours
Monday – Friday: 8am – 7pm
Saturday: 8am – 2pm
T: 02 7820 9202
E:
Location
Level 1, Shop 1,
6 Gauthorpe St,
Rhodes NSW 2138
Operating Hours
Monday – Friday: 8am – 7pm
Saturday: 8am – 12pm
Don't let frozen shoulder rule your sleep or your day.
Book an assessment with iPhysio Australia and get expert guidance at every stage of your recovery, at any of our eight Sydney clinics.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is frozen shoulder?
Frozen shoulder, also called adhesive capsulitis, is a condition where the shoulder joint capsule becomes inflamed, thickened and tight, causing pain and progressive loss of movement. It typically affects people between 40 and 65 and is more common in women and people with diabetes.
What is the difference between frozen shoulder and adhesive capsulitis?
There is no difference. Frozen shoulder and adhesive capsulitis are two names for the same condition. “Adhesive capsulitis” is the clinical term, while “frozen shoulder” is the more common everyday name.
How long does frozen shoulder last?
Frozen shoulder typically lasts between 12 and 36 months from start to full recovery, moving through painful, stiff and thawing stages. Physiotherapy can shorten the painful phase and improve the eventual recovery.
Can physiotherapy treat frozen shoulder?
Yes. Physiotherapy is the primary recommended treatment for frozen shoulder. The right care at each stage of the condition can ease pain, maintain and restore movement, and shorten recovery.
What are the three stages of frozen shoulder?
Frozen shoulder typically progresses through a freezing stage (pain dominates, 6 weeks to 9 months), a frozen stage (stiffness dominates, 4 to 12 months) and a thawing stage (gradual recovery, 6 months to 2 years). The timeline varies considerably from person to person.
Will frozen shoulder go away on its own?
Frozen shoulder is generally self-limiting and will eventually settle without treatment, but the process can take years and leave residual stiffness. Physiotherapy speeds recovery, manages pain through the painful stage and improves the final range of movement.
Are cortisone injections useful for frozen shoulder?
Cortisone injections can be helpful in the painful early stage of frozen shoulder when combined with physiotherapy. Hydrodilatation, a different injection that stretches the capsule, may be more useful in the stiffness-dominant stage. Your physiotherapist and GP can advise on timing.
Should I push through the pain to keep moving?
No. Pushing through pain, especially in the early painful stage, can worsen symptoms. The right physiotherapy exercise is gentle and pain-limited early on, becoming more assertive as the shoulder transitions out of the painful phase.
Why does frozen shoulder hurt more at night?
Night pain is one of the hallmark symptoms of frozen shoulder, particularly in the freezing stage. Lying on the affected side compresses the inflamed capsule, and the lack of distraction at night can also make the pain feel more intense. Sleeping with a pillow supporting the arm can help.
Which iPhysio clinics treat frozen shoulder?
All eight of our Sydney clinics treat frozen shoulder: Rhodes, Darlinghurst, Summer Hill, Concord, Belmore, Merrylands, Mortlake and C-Life Gym. Choose whichever location is most convenient for you.
