Frozen shoulder or 'Adhesive Capsulitis' is a common cause of shoulder pain in people aged between 40 and 60, with women affected more than men. Shoulder specialist Dr Robert Codman first described 'Frozen Shoulder' in 1934, although this painful shoulder condition had frustrated patients and doctors for centuries before this. The fact that Frozen Shoulder merely describes what the patient experiences, is evidence that the condition was still poorly understood.

In 1945, Nevasier used the term Adhesive Capsulitis and described the pathology as being characterised by adhesions and contractures of the fibrous capsule that surrounds the shoulder joint. While other conditions can produce a stiff shoulder and shoulder pain, frozen shoulder is characterised by adhesions of the capsule.

To date the cause of frozen shoulder has not been worked out, although it is associated with other medical problems such as diabetes, thyroid problems and a history of previous heart attack.

Physiotherapy treatment is the first option for Frozen Shoulder. The main aim of physiotherapy treatment is to gently stretch the shoulder joint capsule. This is achieved through performing passive mobilisations which are done at various points in the range of shoulder movement. In addition, the patient must keep up a regular active stretching program to gently improve shoulder range of movement. All this stretching should be pain free.