Vol. 3, Issue 1, Part A (2026)

Background: Adhesive capsulitis (frozen shoulder) is a common musculoskeletal disorder characterized by pain, stiffness, and progressive loss of shoulder range of motion (ROM), leading to functional limitations in daily activities.

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of Mulligan Mobilization With Movement (MWM) in reducing pain and improving ROM and functional ability in a patient with primary frozen shoulder.

Case Presentation: A 48-year-old female presented with a 3-month history of right shoulder pain, restricted ROM, and difficulty performing overhead activities. Baseline assessment showed severe limitation in flexion, abduction, and external rotation, with a Visual Analog Scale (VAS) pain score of 7/10.

Intervention: The patient underwent 12 physiotherapy sessions over 4 weeks, including Mulligan MWM techniques for shoulder flexion, abduction, and external rotation, along with a home exercise program.

Results: After 4 weeks, the patient demonstrated significant improvements in ROM (flexion: 90° → 150°, abduction: 70° → 140°, external rotation: 20° → 60°), reduction in pain (VAS: 7 → 2), and functional recovery (DASH score: 56 → 21).

Conclusion: Mulligan MWM is an effective, safe, and rapid manual therapy technique for improving pain, ROM, and functional ability in patients with adhesive capsulitis. This case supports its inclusion in conservative rehabilitation protocols for frozen shoulder.