Frozen Shoulder – Ayurvedic Herbal Treatment
Frozen shoulder, also known as adhesive capsulitis, is a condition characterized by stiffness and pain in the shoulder joint. This condition typically develops slowly over several months and consists of three stages: the painful stage; the frozen stage; and the thawing stage. This condition is caused by inflammation and stiffness of the shoulder capsule due to old age, injury, prolonged immobilization or health conditions like diabetes, heart disease, lung disease etc.
The Ayurvedic treatment of frozen shoulder is aimed at treating stiffness and pain and preserving the mobility of the shoulder joint. Medicines like Yograj-Guggulu, Triphala-Guggulu, Kaishor-Guggulu, Sinhanaad-Guggulu, Maha-Rasnadi-Guggulu and Punarnavadi-Guggulu are used to reduce the inflammation in the shoulder joint. Medicines like Maha-Vat-Vidhwans-Ras, Vat-Gajankush-Ras, Vish-Tinduk-Vati, Dashmoolarishta, Sarpagandha (Rauwolfia serpentina), Nirgundi (Vitex negundo), Tagar (Valeriana wallichii) and Khurasani ova (Hyoscyamus niger) are used to reduce pain in the joints. Stiffness in the shoulder capsule can be reduced using medicines like Trayodashang-Guggulu, Tapyadi-Loh, Ekang-Veer-Ras, Laxadi-Guggulu, Shallaki (Boswellia serrata) and Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera).
Application of heat to the shoulder joint is also quite helpful in reducing pain and stiffness. Medicines like Vishgarbha oil, Mahanarayan oil and Mahamash oil are applied on the affected joint. This is followed by a localized steam fomentation of medicines like Maha-Rasnadi-Qadha, Dashmool-Qadha and Nirgundi-Qadha. This procedure is repeated daily for a few weeks till there is considerable reduction in pain and stiffness, after which the frequency of the procedure is reduced gradually.
Physiotherapy of the affected joint is very important to maintain as much range of motion as possible. The shoulder joint should be subjected to gradual stretching and mobility exercises without stressing the joint or causing a lot of pain. Acupuncture and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) are both quite effective in reducing the pain in frozen shoulder. In a few patients where symptoms do not improve because of scar tissue and adhesions inside the shoulder joint, surgery may be a last option to provide relief in this condition.
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