Frozen Shoulder (Adhesive Capsulitis)
Frozen shoulder, also known as adhesive capsulitis, is a painful and restrictive condition that limits movement in the shoulder joint. It often develops gradually, with increasing stiffness and discomfort that can interfere with daily tasks like reaching overhead, washing your hair, or sleeping on your side. While it typically progresses through stages, recovery can be slow without targeted intervention.
At Sparq Physical Therapy in Castle Rock, CO, we offer expert care for frozen shoulder to help you regain motion, reduce pain, and return to your daily activities. Our one-on-one sessions focus on restoring joint mobility and muscle balance at every stage of recovery.
Affected Area
Frozen shoulder primarily affects the glenohumeral joint capsule, where thickening and tightening of connective tissue restrict movement. It can also lead to compensations and secondary tightness in the upper back, neck, scapular stabilizers, and rotator cuff muscles, which may further impact posture and mobility.
Symptoms
Symptoms typically follow three phases:
Freezing phase – increasing pain and stiffness
Frozen phase – reduced pain but significant loss of motion
Thawing phase – gradual return of movement
You may experience shoulder pain, limited range of motion, difficulty with overhead or behind-the-back movements, sleep disruption, and muscle weakness from disuse.
Treatments
Physical therapy is one of the most effective treatments for managing frozen shoulder and reducing the duration of symptoms. At Sparq PT, we customize your care plan to your current phase and pain level. Treatment may include:
Manual therapy to gently mobilize the shoulder joint and surrounding soft tissue
Stretching and range of motion exercises to improve flexibility and reduce stiffness
Strength training for the rotator cuff, scapular stabilizers, and postural muscles
Postural re-education to restore proper movement patterns and reduce strain
Home program development to support progress between sessions
Recovery from frozen shoulder takes time and consistency, but with the right support, you can regain full, pain-free motion.