From Frozen to Free: Best Treatments for Shoulder Mobility

Shoulder stiffness and limited range of motion can be frustrating, especially when it interferes with daily tasks like reaching, dressing, or even sleeping comfortably. One of the most common causes of this issue is a frozen shoulder, also known as adhesive capsulitis. If you’re struggling with shoulder mobility, there’s good news: Effective treatments exist, and you don’t have to live with the discomfort.

At Neurology and Pain Management Clinic (NPMC), Dr. Gautam Arora and his team provide advanced, personalized care to help patients regain shoulder function and get back to living pain-free.

What Causes Shoulder Stiffness?

Shoulder immobility can result from injury, surgery, or inflammation within the joint capsule. In the case of a frozen shoulder, the connective tissue around the shoulder thickens and tightens, restricting movement. Other causes include arthritis, rotator cuff injuries, and nerve-related conditions that limit your ability to move the arm freely.

Recognizing the Symptoms

Symptoms typically develop gradually and may include:

• Pain when lifting the arm or reaching behind your back

• Stiffness that gets worse over time

• Limited ability to perform routine activities

• Sleep disturbances due to shoulder discomfort

The condition may progress through stages—from painful inflammation to frozen immobility and, finally, gradual recovery. However, without treatment, full recovery may take years.

Effective Treatments to Restore Shoulder Mobility

1. Physical Therapy
Tailored stretching and strengthening exercises are key. Dr. Gautam Arora collaborates with physiotherapists to create programs that safely increase mobility over time without causing further damage.

2. Pain Management and Anti-Inflammatory Medication
Pain relief is crucial for allowing movement. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or oral corticosteroids can reduce swelling and make therapy more tolerable.

3. Image-Guided Injections
At NPMC, precision injections are administered directly into the shoulder joint using imaging technology. These may include corticosteroids to reduce inflammation or hydrodilatation (fluid injection) to gently stretch the joint capsule and improve mobility.

4. Nerve Blocks
For patients with nerve-related shoulder pain or severe stiffness, a targeted nerve block may help reset the pain signals and allow better movement with less discomfort.

5. Advanced Interventional Therapies
In more persistent cases, options like radiofrequency ablation or platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections may be considered to promote healing and long-term function.

When to Seek Help

If your shoulder stiffness persists for more than a few weeks or continues to limit your lifestyle, it’s time to seek professional care. Early treatment leads to faster recovery and prevents long-term joint damage.

Get Back to Moving Freely

Shoulder pain and stiffness don’t have to be permanent. With the right diagnosis and expert care from Dr. Gautam Arora at NPMC, you can move from frozen to free. Whether it’s conservative therapy or advanced interventional techniques, we’re here to guide you on your journey to pain-free living. Book your consultation today and take the first step toward regaining full shoulder mobility.