Freeing Frozen Shoulder: How Massage Techniques Restore Mobility - Techniques & Modalities Series

Frozen shoulder (also called Adhesive Capsulitis) can feel like your body has locked you out of your own shoulder joint. It’s painful, limiting, and frustrating, especially when simple tasks like brushing your hair or reaching behind your back become nearly impossible.

At BSPOKR, we see this condition often, and while it takes time to fully resolve, remedial massage can be a powerful support tool through each phase of recovery. In this blog, we’ll explore what frozen shoulder is, how it progresses, and how massage can help you move and live more freely. 

What is Frozen Shoulder?

Frozen shoulder is a condition where the connective tissue around the shoulder joint becomes inflamed, thickened, and tight, often with no obvious injury to trigger it. This leads to severe stiffness, pain, and reduced range of motion, which may last months or even years.

It tends to occur more in people over 40 and is common among women, especially those with hormonal changes, diabetes, thyroid issues, or post-surgical immobility (such as after a shoulder injury).

The 3 Phases of Frozen Shoulder

Understanding the progression helps explain how massage can assist at each stage:

1. Freezing Phase

Gradual onset of pain

Increasing stiffness

Movement becomes more limited

2. Frozen Phase

Pain may lessen slightly

Shoulder remains stiff and difficult to move

Function is limited

3. Thawing Phase

Range of motion slowly improves

Pain subsides

Shoulder regains strength and movement

Massage techniques are adjusted depending on where you are in this cycle. At BSPOKR, we always work with your body - never against it.

Massage can’t “cure” frozen shoulder, but it absolutely helps reduce symptoms, support mobility, and improve comfort.

Here’s how:

Eases muscle guarding

Chronic shoulder pain causes nearby muscles — like the upper traps, deltoid, and pecs — to tighten and protect the joint. Massage helps soften this guarding.

Increases blood flow and healing

Hands-on work improves circulation to the joint and surrounding tissues, encouraging healing and reducing inflammation.

Reduces pain

Trigger point therapy and gentle stretching can ease referred pain patterns from the neck, upper back, and chest.

Encourages range of motion

Passive joint mobilisation and myofascial release help maintain or restore movement in a safe, supported way.

Massage Techniques Commonly Used

At BSPOKR, your frozen shoulder treatment may include:

Myofascial release to ease fascia tightness in the shoulder capsule

Trigger point therapy for muscles like subscapularis, infraspinatus, pec minor, and deltoid

Gentle joint mobilisation (not manipulation) to guide the shoulder safely through movement

Neck and upper back massage to treat associated tension

Stretching and breath work to encourage nervous system regulation and movement confidence

The Importance of Timing

In the early "freezing" phase, we focus on pain reduction and gentle soft tissue support.
In the "frozen" and "thawing" phases, we gradually introduce more mobility-based work and stretching, always respecting your pain limits.

Massage is also helpful alongside physiotherapy or exercise rehab to improve overall outcomes.

Ready to Free Your Shoulder?

At BSPOKR, your treatment is completely tailored — no cookie-cutter approaches here. Whether you're just beginning to feel stiff or you're deep in the frozen phase, we’ll support you gently and effectively.