Ayurvedic Treatment For Frozen Shoulder (Adhesive Capsulitis)

Frozen Shoulder

Frozen shoulder or adhesive capsulitis is a health condition of stiffness and pain in the shoulder joints. These symptoms for extended periods cause movement of the shoulders difficult. People who suffer from frozen shoulders face a passive and active range of motion restriction. Frozen shoulder usually affects people in the age group of 40 and 60, and chances of occurrence of these diseases are more in women than men.

Pain and joint stiffness are the primary symptoms of frozen shoulders. And people find it hard to do their day-to-day activities like driving, bathing, changing clothes, holding something, etc. People who suffer from this disease feel pain in the outer shoulder area and sometimes in the upper arm.

Frozen shoulder is curable with proper treatment, and generally, it takes 2-3 years for complete recovery.

A healthy diet, Ayurvedic therapies, and herbal remedies are the lines of treatments to treat frozen shoulder symptoms.

Stages Of Frozen Shoulder

Primary symptoms of frozen shoulder are pain in the shoulder joints and restricted joint movements. Symptoms usually begin gradually, worsen over time, and resolve on their own within a couple of years. Normally there are three stages of frozen shoulders.

• First stage

  The first stage is called the freezing stage where the person faces difficulty in any movement of the shoulder. The pain increases during nights, and the freezing stage goes up to 6 to 9 months.

• Second stage

  The second stage is the frozen stage where the shoulder becomes stiffer, and movement of the shoulder becomes more difficult. People at this stage find it very difficult to do their day-to-day activities. This frozen stage lasts for 4-12 months.

• Third stage

  The third stage is known as the Thawing stage where the motion of the shoulder improves. It will take 6 -months to 2 years to go back to this stage.

Freezing stage, frozen stage, and thawing stage are the three phases of frozen shoulder.

Causes Of Frozen Shoulder

The exact causes of frozen shoulders are under research by experts. The shoulder joint is enclosed in a connective tissue called the shoulder capsule. Frozen shoulder develops when this capsule becomes inflamed, thicker, and tightens around the shoulder joints that restrict the movements of the shoulder. Frozen shoulder generally occurs at the age of 40-60 and mostly affects women more than men.

Some diseases like diabetes and alcoholism lead to the development of frozen shoulders. There are chances of developing frozen shoulders due to the diseases like hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, Parkinson's disease, and cardiac disease also.

Surgery or arm fracture leads to the immobility of the shoulder, which in turn causes joint stiffness and pain.

Herbal Remedies For Frozen Shoulder

Herbs are the blessings of mother nature. Most of the herbs and spices are rich in medicinal properties that help to cure various diseases. Here is a list of herbs that are widely used in Ayurveda to treat frozen shoulders.

• Turmeric

  Turmeric contains a chemical called curcumin. Curcumin is rich in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties that help to cure complications associated with frozen shoulders.

• Ginger

  Ginger contains antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that help to relieve joint pains associated with frozen shoulders.

• Shallaki

  Shallaki is rich in anti-inflammatory properties that help to cure joint inflammations and pain by targeting enzymes that release inflammatory chemicals in the joints.

• Ashwagandha

  Ashwagandha is rich in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties that help to cure pain and inflammation associated with joints. Drinking a glass of warm milk with ashwagandha is effective in curing frozen shoulders.

• Guggul

  Guggul has been widely used in Ayurveda to treat joint pain and inflammations due to its anti-inflammatory properties.

• Rasna

  The mild laxative property of rasna helps to cure inflammations of the nervous system and joints.

As per Ayurveda, various herbal treatments are found to be effective in the treatment of frozen shoulders, and they are ashwagandha, ginger, turmeric, guggul, rasna, and shallaki.

Ayurvedic Treatments To Cure Frozen Shoulder

Ayurveda is a science of life that originated in India more than 5000 years ago. Ayurvedic treatments are natural and aid to find out the root cause of the problems and provide treatments based on them.

General Ayurvedic treatments to cure frozen shoulder are:

• Snehana (oleation) – Snehana therapy aims to prepare the body for receiving panchakarma treatment. Snehana therapy is the process of administering ghee, herbal oil, animal fat, or bone marrow to expel the vitiated doshas from the body naturally.
• Swedana (fermentation) – Swedana refers to hot steam treatment to expel toxins from the body to reduce stiffness of the joints and ease muscles.
• Basti (enema) – Basti is a bowel cleansing technique in which the medicated oil is administered through the anal route to expel body toxins.
• Nasya karma

  Nasya karma refers to the application of medicated oil in the nostrils to clear the head and nose. Nasya ensures overall pain relief to the whole body.

• Abhyangam

  Abhyanga is a whole-body massage with medicated oil that helps to expel body toxins, relieve body pain, and improve immunity.

Ayurveda recommends certain natural therapies to get rid of joint pains related to frozen shoulders. They are Abhyanga, nasya, swedana, basti , and snehana. These treatments aim to expel body toxins and protect the body from inflammations and pains. Ayurveda provides treatments by understanding the body type of each person.

Ahar And Vihar Recommendations To Get Rid Of Frozen Shoulder

Ahar (diet) recommendations

Ayurveda suggests certain foods that help to prevent frozen shoulder symptoms.

• Increase the intake of fresh fruits like pineapple, papaya, and cherries.
• Include moist foods like oil and ghee in your daily diet.
• Prefer vegetable soups in your diet.
• Avoid intake of drinks that contain caffeine.
• Avoid meat, butter, and milk as they cause inflammation.

Vihar (lifestyle) recommendations

A healthy lifestyle plan always helps to lead a healthy life.

• Stop smoking and alcohol consumption.
• Get enough rest and sleep.
• Don't sleep on a sore shoulder.
• Always prefer a warm water bath.
• Practice yoga asanas regularly.
• Exercise regularly.

A healthy diet and lifestyle plant helps to cure frozen shoulder symptoms easily.

Conclusion

The information regarding Ayurvedic treatments to cure frozen shoulders was obtained from various ancient Ayurvedic scriptures. Always get the advice of your Ayurvedic practitioner before starting self-medication.