Physiotherapy session for shoulder mobility

Frozen shoulder can be one of the most frustrating conditions to live with — stiffness and pain that gradually limits even simple daily movements. Here's how a structured approach can help.

Understanding the Three Stages

Frozen shoulder typically progresses through a freezing stage (increasing pain), a frozen stage (stiffness dominates), and a thawing stage (gradual return of movement). Treatment differs at each stage.

Gentle Pendulum Stretches

Letting your arm hang and gently swinging it in small circles can help maintain mobility without forcing painful movement — particularly useful in the early, more painful stage.

Cross-Body Reach

Gently using your opposite arm to guide your affected arm across your body helps maintain range of motion as stiffness begins to ease.

Towel Stretch

Holding a towel behind your back with both hands and gently pulling helps stretch the shoulder's internal rotation, often one of the most restricted movements.

Why Guided Treatment Matters

Doing the wrong exercises at the wrong stage can prolong recovery or increase pain. A physiotherapist tailors the exercise progression to where you are in the condition.

Our approach: We build a stage-appropriate exercise plan and adjust it as your mobility improves — rather than applying a generic stretching routine. Book an assessment with our Birmingham physiotherapy team to get a plan matched to your stage of recovery.