How Long Do Joint Aches Take to Improve?

Short answer: there is no single number. How long do joint aches take to improve? It depends on the cause, and the NHS gives different ranges for different conditions, so be wary of anyone who promises a date.

How long do joint aches take to improve?

• Shoulder pain: initial easing around 2 weeks; full recovery can be 6 months or longer; shoulder exercises for 6 to 8 weeks help prevent it returning.^[2]
• Frozen shoulder: months or years, with physiotherapy usually lasting at least 6 weeks.^[1]
• Tennis elbow: usually eases after resting for a few weeks; physiotherapy if no improvement after 6 weeks; longer in some cases.^[5]
• Sprains: most improve within about 2 weeks; severe ones take months.^[10]
• Osteoarthritis: a long-term condition that can't be cured and doesn't necessarily worsen; exercise is one of the most important treatments, and the NHS gives no timeframe for it.^[3][4]

Start gently and build up; doing too much too quickly may damage joints.^[4]

When to see a doctor

See a GP if pain hasn't improved after about 2 weeks of home care (hip and shoulder), or is getting worse.^[2][9]

Sources

1. NHS, Frozen shoulder
2. NHS, Shoulder pain
3. NHS, Osteoarthritis
4. NHS, Osteoarthritis treatment
5. NHS, Tennis elbow
6. NHS, Hip pain
7. NHS, Sprains and strains

Written by the Prife iTeraCare team and last reviewed on 10 October 2026. This is general information, not medical advice, and it does not replace your doctor or physiotherapist. A session is a wellness experience, not a medical treatment.