Shockwave Therapy Eases Frozen Shoulder Pain
A review of 189 studies compares treatments for frozen shoulder, a condition affecting around 5 per cent of people at some point in their lives.
Updated on Nov. 4, 2026 in Arthritis
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Researchers from Central South University analyzed 189 studies involving nearly 13,000 adults with frozen shoulder. Extracorporeal shockwave therapy reduced short-term pain compared with usual care, and manipulation under anaesthesia was effective both alone and combined with a steroid injection.
Why it matters
Frozen shoulder is particularly common in women over 40 and people with diabetes, and without treatment most cases take up to three years to improve. Up to 15 per cent of patients are left permanently unable to raise their arm fully, making the comparison of treatment options relevant to many readers worldwide.
The analysis pooled 189 studies including nearly 13,000 adults with a mean age of 54, against a backdrop where most untreated cases take up to three years to resolve. Long-term outcomes beyond short-term pain relief were not detailed in the source material.
The players
Central South University
A major public university in Changsha, China, whose researchers conducted the systematic analysis of frozen shoulder treatment studies.
NHS
The National Health Service, the publicly funded healthcare system of the United Kingdom, which does not routinely fund extracorporeal shockwave therapy.
The details
Extracorporeal shockwave therapy delivers sound pulses through a handheld probe directly to the joint capsule and scar tissue, typically in sessions of three to 15 minutes spread about a week apart over three to six sessions. Manipulation under anaesthesia involves a clinician stretching and tearing the tight joint capsule while the patient is asleep.
Timeline
Frozen shoulder may take up to three years to improve without treatment.
Shockwave treatment courses typically run three to six sessions, spaced about a week apart.
Health Landscape
Systematic reviews pooling large numbers of trials, such as those produced under Cochrane methodology, are increasingly used to rank competing musculoskeletal treatments. This analysis of 189 frozen shoulder studies extends that approach to a condition where pain relief and functional recovery have long been compared inconsistently across clinics.
For people with frozen shoulder, shockwave therapy is a possible short-term pain option, though it is not routinely funded on the NHS and typically costs £50 to £150 per session privately. Anyone considering manipulation under anaesthesia should discuss the procedure and its recovery needs with their clinician.
The takeaway
Frozen shoulder often improves on its own over up to three years, but because some patients keep lasting range-of-motion loss, it is worth discussing treatment early with a clinician. Compare costs and availability of options such as shockwave therapy before deciding.
Further reading
Explore more on Arthritis to understand how inflamed joint tissue affects mobility and treatment choices.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Mail Online.
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