Frozen shoulder treatment options do and should depend on several factors. First of all you need to know what stage of a frozen shoulder you are in. Early stages of  this condition, characterized by mostly pain and some stiffness, are best treated with aggressive active and passive range of motions exercise, taking care to avoid impingement syndrome. Even the most well meaning practitioners can cause more damage and pain if they are not experienced in the proper execution of range of motion exercises. Early stages also respond better to anti-inflammatories, provided the treating physician feels this is in order. Middle stages of frozen shoulder syndrome, which involve increased stiffness and loss of motion, respond well to joint mobilization by a trained clinician. Later stages, where motion is starting to return and the pain is less, should include strengthening exercises. This is due to the loss of muscle strength from months of decreased use and mobility.

Now obviously physical therapy may not be for everyone, particularly those who have a low pain threshold. These individuals may opt for more passive treatments involving various modalities such as heat, ice, injections, manipulation, or possibly surgery. Thermal modalities such as moist heat and ice only provide short term relief and are considered “coping treatment” as the patient “waits out” there symptoms — which may never occur or may occur at a much slower pace. Injections are more or less masking the symptoms with anti-inflammatory medication and do not get to the root of the condition, which is loss of motion and function. Manipulation is a last resort option (other than capsular debridement) which can lead to significant shoulder trauma and possibility of humerus fractures. Surgical debridement is an invasive treatment which carries with it the risk of infection.

All of the above frozen shoulder treatment options should be researched by the patient so they can decide the on the one that best suits them. Obviously physical therapy is the most preferred treatment as it addresses pain, loss of function, and loss of strength alltogether. If PT is the chosen course of treatment, the patient should make sure they choose a therapist with experience in this area, or use a program designed by a licensed clinician with a specialty in treatments of the upper extremity.