Frozen Shoulder means chronic painful stiffness of the shoulder joint. Frozen shoulder is not a life threatening illness. But the condition will be miserable as daily routines are disturbed. Also it causes difficulty to do professional works. So immediate attention, regular medication and constant exercises play significant role in this disease.
It is also called adhesive capsulitis, causes pain and stiffness in the shoulder. There is difficulty in movement of the shoulder. It most commonly affects people between the ages of 40 and 60, and occurs in women more often than men. The shoulder is a ball and socket joint made up of three bones – upper arm bone (humerus), shoulder blade (scapula), and collarbone (clavicle). The head of the upper arm bone fits into a shallow socket in the shoulder blade. Strong connective tissue, called the shoulder capsule, surrounds the joint. To help your shoulder move more easily, synovial fluid lubricates the shoulder capsule and the joint. Inflammation in this capsule is called Capsulitis.
Frozen shoulder according to Ayurveda:
Avabahuka is a disease that usually affects the Amsa sandhi (shoulder joint). It is produced by the Vata dosha., Many Ayurved Acharyas have considered Avabahuka as a Vataja Vikara – the Nanatmaja Vata vyadhi (Diseases that arise solely due to Vata Dosha). The stiffness to the joints is contributed by Kapha Dosha. Because of involvement of Kapha Dosha, in many patients the stiffness worsens on cold exposure or at night time
Causes
The factors responsible for developing frozen shoulder are –
– Diabetes. – (Most important reason) Frozen shoulder occurs much more often in people with diabetes.
– Other diseases. Hypothyroidism (Underactive thyroid), Hyperthyroidism (Overactive thyroid), Parkinson’s disease, Tuberculosis and cardiac disease.
– Immobilization. – due to surgery, a fracture, or other injury.
– Age – Most often in people 40 to 70 years old.
Symptoms
Pain is usually dull or aching. It is typically worse early in the course of the disease and when you move your arm. The pain is usually located over the outer shoulder area and sometimes the upper arm.
Diagnosis Tests
- X-ray
- MRI
- USG
Physical therapy – Some exercises will help restore motion. These must be under the supervision of Expert. Below are examples of some of the exercises –
- External rotation — passive stretch.Stand in a doorway and bend your affected arm 90 degrees to reach the doorjamb. Keep your hand in place and rotate your body. Hold for 30 seconds. Relax and repeat.
- Forward flexion — supine position. Lie on your back with your legs straight. Use your unaffected arm to lift your affected arm overhead until you feel a gentle stretch. Hold for 15 seconds and slowly lower to start position. Relax and repeat.
- Crossover arm stretch.Gently pull one arm across your chest just below your chin as far as possible without causing pain. Hold for 30 seconds. Relax and repeat.
Can frozen shoulder be prevented?
Some Ayurveda Panchkarma therapies ( as per advice of Amruta Ayurved’s Doctors), Ayurved medicines(as per advice of Amruta Ayurved’s Doctors), Gentle & progressive range-of-motion exercises, stretching, and using your shoulder more may help prevent frozen shoulder.
Treatment
Panchkarma – Nasya, Basti, Snehan, Swedan, Piandswed, Agnikarma etc.
External Ayurvedic Panchkarma procedures useful in Frozen shoulder:
The below therapies help to Relieve pain and stiffness of joints, Rejuvenates the degenerated connective tissue.
Abhyanga , Pizhichil, Elakizhi , Njavarakizhi , Podi Kizhi, Pichu.
How long treatments and medicines are required for complete cure?
External therapies might be required for 7 – 21 days.
Oral medicines might be required for 2-3 months with gradual decrease in dosage based on progress.
Recovery can be accelerated with Yoga and Excersizes.
Do’s
diet and habits in frozen shoulder:
- Warm and unctuous food
- Include anti inflammatory spices such as turmeric in diet.
- Proper and regular exercise
- Warm water bath decreases the stiffness.
Don’ts
-diets and habits in frozen shoulder:
- Cold water bath
- Excess use of A/C rooms
- Excess of oily and fried food
- Heavy exercise
- Improper laying, sitting and sleeping position etc.
Yoga for frozen shoulder
- Surya Namaskara
- Adhomukha Shwanasana
- Gomukhasana
- Trikonasana
- Ushtrasana
All Type of Ayurveda treatments for Frozen Shoulder are available at Amruta Ayurved Panchkarma Center, Thane, Mumbai, India. Mob – 9869105594
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