Frozen Shoulder
Regain shoulder motion, reduce pain, and get back to the activities that matter to you.
Frozen shoulder, also called adhesive capsulitis, can make everyday movements painful and difficult. Our Queen Creek physical therapy team provides one-on-one care to help you move forward.
What Is Frozen Shoulder?
Adhesive capsulitis, or frozen shoulder, is a poorly understood condition in which the deepest layers of soft tissue in the shoulder—called the joint capsule—become diseased. Shoulder range of motion becomes very limited and painful.
The condition is characterized by freezing, frozen, and thawing stages. It is self-limiting, meaning it can resolve over time, but recovery may take two years or more for a small percentage of people. Physical therapy can help speed recovery with patient education, stretching, joint mobilization, and a home exercise program.
Painful, Limited Motion
Frozen shoulder causes the shoulder to become painful and significantly limits its range of motion. Difficulty reaching, lifting, or using the arm can interfere with normal daily activities.
Possible Contributors
The exact cause is not known. Minor trauma, hyperthyroidism, diabetes, psychiatric conditions, surgery, and prolonged shoulder immobilization may contribute to this condition.
A Gradual Recovery
Frozen shoulder progresses through freezing, frozen, and thawing stages. A personalized physical therapy plan can support comfort, movement, and confidence throughout recovery.
How Physical Therapy Can Help
At San Tan Physical Therapy, your care is centered on a thorough, one-on-one evaluation and a personalized plan. For frozen shoulder, treatment may include the following approaches as appropriate for your needs and stage of recovery.
Movement & Joint Mobility
Active-assistive, active, and passive shoulder range-of-motion work, plus shoulder joint mobilization, can help address restricted movement.
Stretching & Strength
Stretching, flexibility exercise, isometric exercise, and progressive resistance may be used to improve range of motion, function, and muscle strength.
Comfort & Self-Care
Patient education, posture training, soft-tissue techniques, heat, cold therapy, and electrotherapeutic modalities may be incorporated to support symptom self-care.
Your Goals Are Our Focus
Frozen shoulder rehabilitation is designed to help you improve function, range of motion, muscle strength and power, proprioception, relaxation, and self-care of symptoms. We will listen to your concerns, create a personalized care plan, and help you build the mobility and confidence to return to the activities you enjoy.
No doctor referral is necessary. Immediate appointments are available, with first visits often available within 24–48 hours.
Explore Related Shoulder Care
Shoulder pain can have many causes. Explore related conditions and services available at San Tan Physical Therapy.
Shoulder Pain
Learn more about physical therapy care for shoulder pain and restoring comfortable movement.
Orthopedic Physical Therapy
Our orthopedic physical therapy services address movement limitations, pain, and function with personalized care.
Patient Success Stories
Patients describe San Tan Physical Therapy as a loving and caring environment with a supportive, skilled team.