Frozen shoulder and shoulder pain treatment in Wokingham, Berkshire

Frozen shoulder, also known as adhesive capsulitis, is a painful and disabling condition that can significantly restrict your quality of life. At the Wokingham Therapy Clinic, our experienced therapists offer a range of treatments to reduce pain, restore movement and speed up recovery.

On this page

1. About frozen shoulder
2. The three stages of frozen shoulder
3. Common causes and risk factors
4. How we treat shoulder pain
5. Research and evidence
6. Our acupuncturist

1. About frozen shoulder

Frozen shoulder is a condition where the shoulder joint becomes stiff and painful, with a significant loss of range of movement. It typically affects people between the ages of 40 and 60, and is more common in women than men. The condition can develop gradually over months and, left untreated, can take up to three years to resolve fully.

Shoulder pain more generally can also arise from rotator cuff injuries, impingement, tendonitis, bursitis and arthritis – all of which we routinely treat.

2. The three stages of frozen shoulder

Frozen shoulder typically progresses through three distinct stages:

Stage 1: Freezing (painful phase)

Pain gradually increases, often worse at night. Range of movement starts to reduce. This phase can last from 6 weeks to 9 months.

Stage 2: Frozen (adhesive phase)

Pain may lessen but stiffness becomes more pronounced. Everyday tasks such as dressing, reaching overhead or putting on a seatbelt become difficult. This phase lasts 4 to 12 months.

Stage 3: Thawing (recovery phase)

Movement gradually returns over 6 months to 2 years. Treatment during this phase can significantly speed recovery.

3. Common causes and risk factors

The exact cause of frozen shoulder is not always clear, but known risk factors include:

• Diabetes (significantly increases risk)
• Thyroid problems
• Prolonged immobility following surgery or injury
• Previous shoulder injury
• Stroke or Parkinson's disease
• Cardiovascular disease

4. How we treat shoulder pain

Acupuncture

Acupuncture is particularly effective for shoulder pain. It reduces inflammation, improves blood flow to the joint capsule, relaxes tight surrounding muscles and triggers the release of the body's natural anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving substances. Dr (TCM) Attilio D'Alberto combines local points around the shoulder with distal points to address both the pain and the underlying imbalance.

Osteopathy

Osteopathy uses gentle mobilisation and soft tissue techniques to improve joint mobility, reduce compensatory tension in the neck and upper back, and gradually restore range of movement.

Physiotherapy

Physiotherapy is a cornerstone of shoulder rehabilitation. A structured exercise programme is essential to regain strength and range of movement, particularly in the thawing phase.

Sports massage

Sports massage helps release the tight muscles around the shoulder, rotator cuff and upper back that develop as compensation for restricted movement.

Cupping therapy

Cupping therapy can be used alongside acupuncture to release deep muscle tension around the shoulder blade and improve local circulation.

5. Research and evidence

A number of studies support the use of acupuncture for shoulder pain. A systematic review published in Acupuncture in Medicine concluded that acupuncture was an effective treatment for chronic shoulder pain when compared with sham acupuncture or no treatment. For frozen shoulder specifically, research suggests that combining acupuncture with exercise therapy produces better outcomes than exercise alone.

For rotator cuff and impingement problems, NICE and the Royal College of Surgeons recommend physiotherapy-led rehabilitation as a first-line treatment, with manual therapy playing a supporting role.

Our acupuncturist

Dr (TCM) Attilio D'Alberto BM (Beijing), BSc (Hons) TCM, MBAcC, MRCHM

Dr (TCM) Attilio D'Alberto has been practising acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine for over 25 years. He is passionate about empowering people with the ancient knowledge of Chinese medicine through lifestyle and diet.

Dr (TCM) D'Alberto graduated with a Bachelor of Medicine from Beijing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) in China – a full-time, five-year degree programme that included six months of clinical internship at two of the largest hospitals in Beijing.

Dr (TCM) D'Alberto practises acupuncture, moxibustion and cupping from his own acupuncture clinic in Wokingham. He is a member of the British Acupuncture Council and practises traditional Chinese acupuncture.