Stage-dependent approach
Frozen shoulder progresses through three stages: the freezing stage (acute pain, progressive loss of motion), the frozen stage (pain may decrease but motion is severely restricted), and the thawing stage (gradual return of motion). The therapeutic approach must match the stage.
In the freezing stage, the priority is reducing inflammation and maintaining whatever range of motion exists. Aggressive stretching is contraindicated — it will increase inflammation and pain. Supported poses that allow the shoulder to rest in a neutral position, combined with gentle chest opening, are most appropriate.
In the frozen stage, rope work becomes valuable. Wall ropes allow gentle traction of the shoulder joint — the arm can be raised with the support of the rope, without the student having to actively lift against the restriction. This creates space in the joint without forcing it. Chair work, with the arm supported on the chair back, allows the student to find the correct position of the chest and dorsal spine.
"The shoulder cannot be freed in isolation. The chest must open, the dorsal spine must lift, and the scapula must find its correct position before the arm can move freely." — Geeta S. Iyengar, Yoga: A Gem for Women
The surrounding areas: chest, dorsal spine, scapula, neck
In my work with frozen shoulder students, I focus on the position of the chest and the dorsal spine, the scapula area, and the neck — all of the surrounding areas — to ensure proper alignment without forcing anything while the shoulder is still frozen. The shoulder joint is deeply connected to the thoracic spine. When the dorsal spine is rounded and the chest is collapsed, the shoulder blade cannot move freely, which restricts the shoulder joint. By opening the chest and lifting the dorsal spine, we create the conditions in which the shoulder can begin to move.
Blocks under the elbows in a supported Setu Bandha (Bridge Pose) variation, or a chair back under the upper arms in a seated forward extension, allow the student to experience chest opening without any demand on the frozen shoulder. This indirect approach is often more effective than direct work on the shoulder itself.