Frozen Shoulder (Adhesive Capsulitis): How to Restore Range of Motion

Deep shoulder pain at night, severe stiffness, and being unable to reach overhead or behind your back are classic indicators of frozen shoulder, medically known as adhesive capsulitis. It occurs when the connective tissue capsule surrounding the shoulder joint thickens and tightens, severely restricting movement.

The Three Stages of Frozen Shoulder

Adhesive capsulitis typically progresses through three distinct phases:

1. Freezing Stage (2–9 months): Any movement of your shoulder causes pain, and range of motion starts to become limited.
2. Frozen Stage (4–12 months): Pain may diminish, but the shoulder becomes extremely stiff, making daily tasks like dressing difficult.
3. Thawing Stage (5–24 months): Range of motion begins to improve gradually.

Without structured physical therapy, full recovery can take up to two to three years and may leave residual stiffness.

How Physical Therapy Accelerates Recovery

Physical therapy interventions are tailored specifically to the stage of condition:

• Targeted Heat & Electrotherapy: Advanced TECAR (Winback) radiofrequency therapy penetrates deep into the joint capsule to soothe pain and soften rigid tissue.
• Controlled Manual Mobilization: Gentle joint glides increase capsular flexibility without exacerbating inflammation.
• Scapular & Rotator Cuff Exercises: Re-establishing proper biomechanics between the shoulder blade and humerus.

Frozen Shoulder Care at PhysioHub

At PhysioHub in Tbilisi and Rustavi, our physical therapists safely guide you through each recovery stage, restoring shoulder mobility while preserving joint integrity.

Don’t let shoulder stiffness hold you back. Book an appointment online or call us at +995 599 43 83 33.