What Is Frozen Shoulder? Frozen shoulder, also known as adhesive capsulitis , is a condition that causes pain and stiffness in the shoulder joint. It often develops gradually, sometimes without an obvious trigger, and can make everyday movements — like putting on a coat, reaching into a cupboard, or fastening a seatbelt — extremely difficult. At Dunham Physio , we regularly help people in Dunham Massey, Altrincham, Timperley, Hale, Lymm and surrounding areas  regain movement