Shoulder Pain and Stiffness Relief in Mineola, NY

MULLIGAN CONCEPT

Shoulder Pain and Stiffness

A painful, stiff shoulder makes reaching, dressing and sleeping hard. Common causes include irritated rotator cuff tendons, a stiffening joint capsule (frozen shoulder) and arthritis. At Enhanced Physical Therapy in Mineola, we use Mulligan shoulder mobilization with movement, where Dr. Kurian guides the joint while you lift your arm, to help you move with less pain, then build strength.

Certified Mulligan Practitioner Over 10 Years of Experience

Our clinics director is a Certified Mulligan Practitioner (CMP) with over a decade
of experience using this evidence-based approach. Each treatment is customized to
your specific diagnosis and movement limitations to achieve optimal outcomes.

Common signs of shoulder pain and stiffness

Pain lifting your arm or reaching out to the side
Stiffness reaching overhead or behind your back
Pain lying on the shoulder at night
Trouble dressing, washing your hair or reaching shelves
A shoulder that feels weak or tires quickly

What causes it

Overloaded tendons, sudden increases in lifting or sport, a period of keeping the arm still, and age-related changes are common causes. Frozen shoulder, where the joint capsule tightens, is most common between 40 and 60 and more likely with diabetes or thyroid conditions.

How we examine it

Before any hands-on treatment, we ask about your health and screen for anything that needs a doctor first. We measure movement in every direction, test strength and specific shoulder tests, and check the neck and upper back. Then we test Mulligan glides during the movement that hurts. If lifting or reaching becomes easier and less painful, that guides treatment.

Mulligan techniques we use

Shoulder Mobilization with Movement. Dr. Kurian holds a gentle glide at the top of the arm bone while you lift your arm. The movement should feel easier and pain-free.
Hand-behind-back MWM. A glide while you reach behind your back.
Thoracic SNAGs. Glides on the upper back, which can help shoulder movement.
Mulligan shoulder taping. Tape to help hold the improvement during the day.

What the research says

A 2022 meta-analysis found shoulder MWM improved pain and movement in the short term. In frozen shoulder, one trial found MWM did better than stretching and another found it matched end-range mobilization, both better than gentle mid-range mobilization. Reviews rate the certainty as low to moderate, so exercise stays central.

What else is in your treatment plan

Your plan includes Mulligan techniques for pain-free motion, progressive rotator cuff and shoulder blade strengthening, and changes to how you lift and sleep. For frozen shoulder, the plan is matched to its stage.

How long recovery takes

Many patients feel easier lifting within 2 to 4 weeks. Strength gains take 6 to 12 weeks. Frozen shoulder can take many months, and treatment aims to help you regain usable motion sooner.

If you are over 65

Shoulder stiffness after 60 often follows a fall, an illness or a period of keeping the arm still. We focus on everyday reaching: dressing, washing your hair and reaching shelves. If you have diabetes or a thyroid condition, recovery may take longer, and we plan for that.

When to see a doctor first

Call your doctor, or get urgent care, if you have any of the following:

Shoulder pain with chest pain, shortness of breath or sweating: call 911
Sudden inability to lift the arm after a fall
A hot, swollen shoulder or fever
Numbness or weakness spreading down the arm
Unexplained weight loss or a history of cancer

Shoulder pain and stiffness treatment near Mineola

Enhanced Physical Therapy is at 137 Willis Ave, Suite 100, Mineola, NY 11501, a short walk from NYU Langone Hospital-Long Island. We see patients from Mineola, Garden City, Williston Park, New Hyde Park, Carle Place, Westbury, Albertson and Manhasset, and across central Nassau County.

Frequently asked questions

How long does frozen shoulder last?

Often one to three years if left alone. Treatment aims to reduce pain and help you regain motion sooner.

Will Mulligan treatment hurt?

It should not. Mulligan techniques are designed to be pain-free, which matters in a painful shoulder.

Is frozen shoulder linked to diabetes?

Yes. People with diabetes have a higher risk and sometimes a slower recovery.

Do I need an MRI?

Not usually at first. We refer for imaging if your exam suggests a significant tear or another problem.

Written and clinically reviewed by Jacob Kurian, PT, MSPT, CMP, DPT, Certified Mulligan Practitioner, Enhanced Physical Therapy, Mineola NY. Last updated October 14, 2026.

Move Better, Feel Better

If this is limiting your work, sleep or activity, call Enhanced Physical Therapy at (516) 833-5880 to book an evaluation with Jacob Kurian, Certified Mulligan Practitioner. Mulligan treatment may help reduce pain and improve movement, and we will tell you honestly what to expect.