Frozen Shoulder Treatment in Amman

What is frozen shoulder?

Medically it is called adhesive capsulitis. The capsule around the shoulder joint becomes inflamed and tight, causing pain and then stiffness that stops you lifting the arm, turning it outwards or reaching behind your back, whether you move it yourself or someone else does. It often appears without a clear injury, is most common between 40 and 60 and in people with diabetes, and can also follow a long period of not moving the shoulder after an injury or surgery.

The stages of frozen shoulder

Painful stage: pain that increases with movement and at night, while stiffness slowly begins to appear
Stiff stage: pain often eases, but movement stays limited in every direction and dressing or reaching behind is hard
Recovery stage: movement improves gradually and slowly
Recovery can take many months, sometimes two years or more, and the length varies a lot from person to person

What usually helps?

The plan changes with the stage. In the painful stage the aim is to ease pain and keep as much movement as possible without irritating the joint. Later, gentle stretching and graded movement exercises, within pain limits and without painful forcing, help restore movement. Manual therapy and joint mobilisation are used alongside exercise, and strengthening the muscles around the shoulder helps as movement returns. A doctor may decide on an injection in some cases to ease pain, and that decision is the doctor’s. We advise patience and regular exercise: improvement is slow but happens in most cases.

How we treat frozen shoulder at Revibe

We listen: when the pain started, how it has changed, which movements and sleep are affected, and whether you have diabetes
We examine shoulder movement in every direction and identify the stage
We identify what keeps the pain and stiffness going
We treat: manual therapy and joint mobilisation, release of muscle knots around the shoulder, and dry needling or cupping when useful as part of the plan
We progress with a home exercise programme that fits your stage and adjust it as things change

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When do you need urgent medical care?

Shoulder or arm pain with chest pain, shortness of breath or sweating — call an ambulance: 911 in Jordan or 122 in Iraq and Kurdistan
Visible deformity of the shoulder or being unable to move the arm after a fall or injury
A hot, red, swollen shoulder with fever
Severe constant night pain with unexplained weight loss or a history of cancer
New numbness or weakness in the arm or hand, or severe pain that is getting worse quickly

In these cases go to the nearest emergency department or a doctor straight away — instead of booking physiotherapy.

FAQ

Should I move my frozen shoulder even though it hurts?

Yes, but with gentle, gradual movements within pain limits that suit the stage — not painful forcing. We teach you safe exercises that keep movement without irritating the joint.

How long does frozen shoulder take to improve?

It goes through stages and can take many months, sometimes two years or more, and it differs from person to person. Doing your exercises regularly helps keep movement and improve it gradually.

Is an injection better than physiotherapy?

An injection may ease pain for a while in some cases, and that is the doctor’s decision. Even with an injection, exercise remains the key to restoring movement.

How many sessions will I need?

It depends on your condition and its stage; after the first assessment we explain the plan and the expected number of sessions.

More common questions: Shoulder pain questions — 23 questions