Frozen Shoulder: Why It Happens and Why It Hurts So Much
Frozen shoulder (adhesive capsulitis) is a condition where the shoulder joint capsule becomes inflamed, scarred, and contracted — severely restricting movement and causing constant pain, especially at night. It affects 2–5% of the population, is more common in diabetics and those over 40, and can last 12–36 months without treatment.
At VPARC in Varanasi, Dr. Prashant Punj has treated hundreds of frozen shoulder patients. With intensive manual therapy and progressive mobilisation, VPARC's programme dramatically reduces recovery time.
The Three Phases of Frozen Shoulder
- Freezing Phase (2–9 months) — Progressive pain and stiffness; treatment focuses on pain control
- Frozen Phase (4–12 months) — Stiffness dominant; intensive mobilisation is most effective here
- Thawing Phase (5–26 months) — Spontaneous improvement; physiotherapy accelerates this significantly
VPARC's Frozen Shoulder Protocol
- Grade III and IV joint mobilisation to stretch the contracted capsule
- PNF stretching and Maitland techniques
- Heat therapy prior to mobilisation
- Home stretching programme to maintain gains between sessions
- Hydro-dilatation coordination (injection + immediate physio) for severe cases
Results at VPARC
Most VPARC patients achieve 70–90% range of motion restoration within 8–16 weeks — significantly faster than the 18–36 months that natural resolution typically requires.