Frozen Shoulder is generally broken into 3 stages. These can vary a bit from person to person but most individuals will experience each stage in turn before they recover.
Stage 1
This is the first stage of frozen shoulder and usually the most painful. It is also where we see your shoulder becoming stiffer and stiffer.
Movement is ok at first and gradually reduces with time. It’s important to keep moving as much as you can to keep adhesion to a minimum.
You may experience night pain. This is also known as the ‘freezing’ phase.
Stage 2
Your shoulder pain should start to reduce and eventually disappear. You will find sleeping easier and exercise will become more enjoyable.
You will probably find that your mobility is still rather limited. This is also known as the ‘frozen’ phase.
Stage 3
Once you enter stage 3 you have been through the worst stages of Frozen Shoulder and are well on the road to recovery.
You should be experiencing little or no pain and your flexibility should be starting to return.
Your focus now is to achieve full flexibility and to restrengthen your shoulder muscles.
This is also known as the ‘thawing’ stage.
I'm an Osteopath in Walthamstow, East London E17.
