Frozen Shoulder

Ayurveda says that chronic frozen shoulder is a result of aggravated vata dosha. The important Ayurvedic parameters are:

• Dosha-vata (increased vata)
• Tridoshas-vitiated kapha and pitta slightly less than the aggravated vata. It needs to be rectified.
• Maha Gunas: cold, heavy, rough in sensation; blood is dark red instead of bright red due to increase in pitta along with anemia problem, heaviness, depression and stiffness of joints as a whole; pain throughout the body; obesity or leanness; dry perianal skin and white nails; sleep may be disturbed by pain at night.
• Phala dhatus: Hardness of the knees, rough hands and feet; stiffness in joints, during movement there is a grating sensation.
• Prakruti: light body structure, cold body temperament, maximum number of vata type people are inclined to this condition.
• Dosha Avarana (disease) = aggravated Vata Dosha
• Vikriti (complication) = Complications can be due to Pitta/Kapha/Vatadhauti or Kapha aggravations. In Ayurveda it is important to test each dosha separately as well as all three together when we deal with rheumatic conditions such as Frozen Shoulder. Ayurveda gives very good guidance when to use medication of each dosha.
• Vyadhi Guna (pathological condition) = cold, hard joints, difficulty in movement and sleep disturbance.
• Dosha Avarana (disease) = aggravated Vata Dosha
• (The disease is the aggravation of vata dosha).
• Prerakruti Prakriti (predisposing factors): Lack of exercise, obesity due to consumption of heavy food; sedentary lifestyle with no physical activity; excessive drinking or eating during winters; working in an air-conditioned office for a long time without coming out into the fresh air; practicing yoga for a long time with inadequate body preparation leading

What is Ayurvedic management of Frozen Shoulder?

Ayurveda focuses on bringing down the aggravated dosha along with managing other two doshas in a proper way.

First measure is based on lightening Kapha and Vata using specific diet, lifestyle changes, herbal formulations, oil massage followed by gradual strengthening of body using yoga postures. This may be continued for 3-4 months depending on the severity of the condition.

It is very important to cover all three doshas at once (vata, pitta & kapha) while dealing with any rheumatic disease or frozen shoulder due to vata aggravation.

Frozen shoulder (known as adhesive capsulitis) is a painful and debilitating condition that can affect people of any age, but typically occurs in middle-aged to older adults. It is caused by scar tissue that forms around the rotator cuffs (a group of structures in the shoulder joint). The scar tissue makes it difficult for the person to move their arm or do activities that require overhead movement.

How common is frozen shoulder?

According to some reports, approximately 40 percent of individuals with rheumatoid arthritis will get frozen shoulder at some point during the course of their disease. In addition, about 5 percent of healthy individuals will develop this condition. However, men are more likely than women to develop frozen shoulder.

What are symptoms of frozen shoulder?

The most common symptoms of frozen shoulder include pain, stiffness, and limited range of motion in the affected shoulder. Many people with this condition find that they cannot raise their arms above the level of their head without experiencing significant pain or discomfort. They may also feel a catching or popping sensation when trying to turn their arm inward (such as when combing hair) or outward (such as when reaching behind them).