Frozen Shoulder (Adhesive Capsulitis): Why Your Shoulder Feels Stuck and What You Can Do About It

If you've been told you have frozen shoulder, you're not alone.

Frozen shoulder, also known as adhesive capsulitis, is one of the most common causes of persistent shoulder pain and stiffness we see at Marathon Spine & Wellness. It can make simple tasks frustrating, interfere with sleep, and leave people wondering why their shoulder seems to be getting worse instead of better.

The good news? While frozen shoulder can be a long process, understanding what's happening and having a plan can make a significant difference.

What Is Frozen Shoulder?

Frozen shoulder is a condition where the capsule surrounding the shoulder joint becomes inflamed, thickened, and less mobile.

The shoulder capsule is a layer of connective tissue that surrounds the joint and helps provide stability. When that tissue becomes irritated, it can tighten and restrict movement, making the shoulder feel stiff, painful, and eventually "stuck."

Unlike a rotator cuff tear or muscle strain, frozen shoulder is primarily a problem involving the joint capsule itself.

Common Frozen Shoulder Symptoms

People with frozen shoulder often report:

• Pain reaching overhead

• Difficulty putting on a coat or shirt

• Trouble fastening a bra or reaching behind their back

• Pain reaching into the back seat of a vehicle

• Night pain, especially when sleeping on the affected side

• A feeling that the shoulder is stuck or won't move normally

• Gradually worsening loss of motion

One of the most frustrating aspects of frozen shoulder is that symptoms often develop gradually.

Many patients initially think they simply slept wrong or strained a muscle before realizing the problem is becoming progressively worse.

What Causes Frozen Shoulder?

The exact cause isn't always clear.

However, frozen shoulder is more common in:

• Adults between ages 40 and 65

• Individuals with diabetes

• People recovering from shoulder injuries

• Those who have had shoulder surgery

• Individuals who have significantly reduced shoulder movement due to pain or injury

In some cases, frozen shoulder develops without a clear reason at all.

The Three Stages of Frozen Shoulder

Frozen shoulder typically progresses through three stages.

Stage 1: Freezing Stage

During the freezing stage, pain gradually increases and shoulder motion becomes more limited.

This stage is often the most painful.

Stage 2: Frozen Stage

Pain may begin to decrease, but stiffness becomes the primary complaint.

Many people notice significant difficulty reaching overhead or behind their back.

Stage 3: Thawing Stage

Movement gradually improves and function slowly returns.

This stage can take months and sometimes longer depending on the individual.

Why We Focus on the Movement You Still Have

One of the biggest mistakes we see is focusing exclusively on the movement that's missing.

Instead, we spend time identifying the movement you can still perform comfortably.

Why?

Because available motion gives us a starting point.

Rather than forcing painful ranges of motion, we use the movement you currently have to begin building a progressive rehabilitation plan.

This often includes:

• Gentle mobility exercises

• Range-of-motion work

• Progressive loading and strengthening

• Activity modifications when necessary

• Home exercises between visits

Every frozen shoulder presents differently. The amount of pain, stiffness, and functional limitation varies from person to person.

That's why treatment should be individualized rather than following a one-size-fits-all approach.

Progressive Loading: An Important Part of Recovery

Research continues to support movement and exercise as important components of frozen shoulder management.

Our goal is not to aggressively stretch the shoulder into pain.

Instead, we focus on gradually increasing the shoulder's tolerance to movement and load over time.

As symptoms improve, exercises can be progressed to help restore:

• Strength

• Mobility

• Function

• Confidence using the shoulder

Recovery often occurs when the shoulder is challenged appropriately—not when it is completely avoided.

Can Shockwave Therapy Help Frozen Shoulder?

In some cases, we may incorporate focused shockwave therapy as part of a comprehensive treatment plan.

Focused shockwave therapy uses acoustic energy to stimulate biological responses within tissue.

Potential benefits may include:

• Improved circulation

• Stimulation of healing processes

• Reduced pain sensitivity

• Improved tolerance to rehabilitation exercises

It's important to understand that shockwave therapy is not a replacement for exercise and movement.

Instead, it is often used as a tool to help people better tolerate the rehabilitation process that drives long-term improvement.

At Marathon Spine & Wellness, we utilize focused shockwave therapy, which differs from many radial shockwave systems commonly used in other settings. Focused shockwave allows energy to be delivered deeper and more precisely into targeted tissues.

How Long Does Frozen Shoulder Last?

This is one of the most common questions we hear.

Unfortunately, there is no single answer.

Some individuals improve within several months, while others experience symptoms for a year or longer.

The timeline depends on factors such as:

• Stage of the condition

• Severity of stiffness

• Overall health

• Activity levels

• Consistency with rehabilitation

The earlier an appropriate plan is established, the easier it often becomes to maintain function throughout the recovery process.

When Should You Seek Help?

If shoulder pain and stiffness are interfering with your sleep, work, exercise, or daily activities, it may be worth having your shoulder evaluated.

Not every stiff shoulder is frozen shoulder.

Other conditions such as rotator cuff injuries, arthritis, bursitis, labral injuries, and cervical spine issues can produce similar symptoms.

A proper assessment can help determine what's driving your symptoms and what treatment options make the most sense.

Frozen Shoulder Treatment in Marathon and Wausau, WI

At Marathon Spine & Wellness, we help patients throughout Marathon, Wausau, Mosinee, Edgar, Rib Mountain, Rothschild, and surrounding communities recover from shoulder pain and stiffness.

Our approach focuses on:

• Identifying the true source of symptoms

• Restoring movement

• Progressive rehabilitation

• Individualized home exercise programs

• Focused shockwave therapy when appropriate

• Helping patients return to the activities they enjoy

If your shoulder feels stiff, painful, or stuck, don't assume you simply have to wait it out.

Having a plan is often better than hoping it improves on its own.

Marathon Spine & Wellness. Marathon, Wisconsin

Helping people move better, hurt less, and get back to doing the things they enjoy.