Frozen Shoulder Explained: What's Really Going On (and How to Fix It)

Aug 4

3 min read

If you've gone from a slightly stiff shoulder to barely being able to reach behind your back or lift your arm overhead, you could be dealing with frozen shoulder. It's more common than people realise, especially in adults over 40 across Lichfield, Burntwood and Sutton Coldfield, and left alone it can drag on for months. The good news is you don't have to just wait it out.

What Is Frozen Shoulder?

Frozen shoulder (adhesive capsulitis) happens when the capsule surrounding your shoulder joint thickens and tightens, restricting movement. It usually affects one shoulder at a time and builds up gradually rather than starting from a single injury. Many people describe it as a dull, deep ache that's there most of the time, made sharper by certain movements like reaching for a seatbelt or a top shelf.

Common Symptoms

A gradual loss of range of movement, particularly reaching overhead or behind the back
Pain that's often worse at night, disturbing sleep
Stiffness that doesn't ease with a few days' rest
Difficulty with everyday tasks like getting dressed, reaching into a cupboard, or fastening a bra

What Causes It?

Often no obvious trigger - it can develop out of nowhere
More common in people aged 40–60, particularly women
Linked to diabetes, thyroid conditions, and periods of shoulder immobility (after surgery or injury, for example)
Rarely caused by overuse alone

The Three Stages

Freezing: pain increases and the shoulder gradually stiffens - can last several months
Frozen: pain may ease but stiffness remains, with movement very limited
Thawing: movement slowly returns

Left untreated, the full cycle can take anywhere from 18 months to several years - which is exactly why early input matters. Many people in Lichfield and Tamworth put up with the freezing stage far longer than they need to, assuming it'll settle on its own before it gets that stiff.

When to Get It Checked

If shoulder stiffness has lasted more than a few weeks, especially if it's stopping you dressing, reaching shelves, or sleeping properly, it's worth getting it properly assessed rather than guessing which stage you're in or hoping it settles by itself.

What You Can Try in the Meantime

Gentle pendulum swings within a pain-free range
Keep moving - total rest tends to make stiffness worse
Heat before activity, ice afterwards if it's sore
Avoid forcing movement into sharp pain

These can help manage symptoms day to day, but frozen shoulder usually needs hands-on treatment and a structured plan to recover fully - general tips alone rarely resolve it.

How We Treat Frozen Shoulder at Cooper's in Lichfield

Dan personally assesses every new patient at Cooper's Injury Clinic, identifying which stage of frozen shoulder you're in before building a plan around it. Treatment typically combines hands-on treatment with a tailored exercise programme to restore movement and ease pain - read more about how we approach shoulder pain generally.

Myth vs Fact

Myth: Frozen shoulder will just sort itself out if you wait long enough.

Fact: It can resolve on its own eventually, but this often takes years. Getting it assessed and treated early can significantly speed up recovery and reduce how much it disrupts daily life.

If this sounds like what you're dealing with, don't just push through it. Book your assessment today and find out exactly what stage you're at and what will help -

Dan assesses every new patient personally, so you get a clear plan from day one. Find out more about his approach on our About page.