Understanding frozen shoulder
The shoulder is held in a flexible sleeve of tissue called the joint capsule. In frozen shoulder, that capsule becomes inflamed and then tightens, shrinking the space the joint has to move in. The condition typically moves through phases — a painful stage, a stiff "frozen" stage, and a slow thawing — and without help the whole cycle can drag on for a year or more. The good news is that consistent, well-judged mobilization can ease pain earlier and shorten the stiff phase considerably.
How our therapies help
Treatment centres on Manual Mobilization & Joint Manipulation: slow, sustained glides of the shoulder joint that stretch the tightened capsule in specific directions, gradually winning back rotation and reach. NAG SNAG Therapy builds on this with mobilization applied while you move the arm yourself, so the new range is learned actively rather than just stretched passively — a combination that tends to hold between sessions.
Tuina tapping rounds out each visit. This rhythmic Chinese technique stimulates circulation through the shoulder and upper back, softens guarded muscles around the joint, and leaves the whole area warmer and looser, making the mobilization work more comfortable and more effective.
What progress looks like
Expect small, honest gains: a few more degrees of reach each week, easier nights, then everyday wins like fastening a seatbelt without wincing. Your home programme of warmth, pendulum swings, and wall walks keeps the capsule lengthening between appointments — the people who do it daily consistently recover fastest.
Questions we are asked
How long does treatment take?+−
Frozen shoulder is a slow condition, so plans typically run 8–12 sessions. Progress is gradual but steady — most people gain range week by week rather than all at once.
Will the sessions hurt?+−
You will feel firm stretching at the edge of your range, but the work is graded to your tolerance and never forced. Mild soreness for a day after a session is normal and a sign the tissue is adapting.
When will I notice relief?+−
Night pain and the resting ache usually ease first, often within the first three or four sessions. Full overhead and behind-the-back reach returns more slowly and continues improving with home practice.
Do I need a medical check first?+−
If your shoulder pain followed a fall or injury, or comes with swelling, fever, or chest symptoms, see a doctor first to rule out other causes. Our therapy complements medical care and physiotherapy well.