Background
Tariq, a 52-year-old businessman, developed frozen shoulder (adhesive capsulitis) in his right arm, severely limiting his ability to perform daily activities. He could not raise his arm above shoulder level or reach behind his back.
Initial Assessment
Initial assessment revealed significantly restricted shoulder range of motion in all directions: flexion limited to 90 degrees (normal: 180), external rotation to 10 degrees (normal: 90), and abduction to 70 degrees (normal: 180).
Treatment Approach
Treatment included joint mobilisation techniques, stretching under controlled conditions, dry needling for trigger points, and a progressive home exercise programme. Sessions were scheduled three times per week initially, reducing to twice weekly as improvement was observed.
Results
By week 12, Tariq had regained 95% of his shoulder range of motion. He was able to resume all daily activities including driving and dressing independently. A maintenance programme was provided for continued improvement.
