Have you been suffering from shoulder pain? Is it often accompanied by stiffness and even a loss of mobility? If yes, then it could be due to a condition called frozen shoulder. Also known as adhesive capsulitis, a frozen shoulder is considered a painful condition that affects the movement of your shoulders.
What Causes a Frozen Shoulder?
Before we dig deeper into the frozen shoulder ayurvedic treatments, it is important to know its causes. Our shoulder joint is surrounded by a capsule covered by tendons and muscles. The capsule holds the shoulder bones to each other and plays a key role in joint movement. But when the capsule becomes tighter or inflamed, it stops your shoulder from moving, resulting in stiffness and pain.
Frozen shoulder is commonly found among people between the age group of 40 and 70, and it is more common in women than men. Even though it is difficult to determine the exact cause of a frozen shoulder, some medical conditions increase its possibility. The medical conditions include diabetes, thyroid disorders, shoulder injury or surgery, heart disease, cervical disc condition, and stroke. In addition to these medical disorders, incorrect posture, sedentary lifestyle, and hormonal imbalances can also be causative factors of frozen shoulder.
It is important to address the issues in the early stages as it could lead to more severe problems in the near future. Overlooking the shoulder pain and choosing self-medication may worsen the situation and degenerate into something more debilitating. Now, let us explore the Ayurvedic practices available for treating shoulder pain.
According to Ayurveda, a frozen shoulder is termed ‘Apabāhuka’, caused by an imbalance in the doshas. It could be either due to a dry condition caused by Vata imbalance or a moist inflammation caused by Kapha. You can’t find a generic approach in frozen shoulder ayurvedic treatment, as it varies from one person to another. That is why it is essential to find the best Ayurvedic doctor in UAE and schedule an appointment with them. Qualified and experienced Ayurvedic practitioners will discuss your symptoms, lifestyle, and medical history in order to diagnose the condition.
Depending on each individual, an Ayurvedic doctor would determine the best approach for treating the condition. The initial consultation, examination, and diagnosis will help in identifying the root cause of the problem. Since Ayurvedic treatments follow a holistic approach, it will be an optimal combination of internal and external therapies. Internal treatments mainly include herbal concoctions and churnas. On the other hand, external treatments generally comprise various massage therapies. Some of the common massage therapies for frozen shoulder ayurvedic treatment include, but are not limited to:
Abhyanga
Abhayanga is a full-body, relaxing Ayurvedic massage that involves rubbing warm oil from head to toe. The oil used for Abhayanga will be herb-infused, chosen according to the dosha constituency of each individual. You can either consult an Ayurvedic doctor for an Abhayanga massage or even learn to do it by yourself. The main goal of the Abhayanga massage technique is to promote overall health and well-being by relieving fatigue, pain, and stress.
Marma Chikista
Marma therapy is a restorative and healing massage practice that focuses on manipulating the energy flow in the body. This massage therapy is based on unlocking the energy flow between the 107 marma points in the body. Marma chikista, when performed by the best Ayurvedic doctor in UAE, can do wonders for your health as it repairs and nourishes each tissue.
Pizhichil
Considered the most recommended treatment for detoxification and rejuvenation, pizhichil treatment combines oil and heat therapy. Also known as Sarvangadhara, Kaya Seka, or Thailadhara, Pizhichil helps in improving blood circulation and removing toxins from the body. This Ayurvedic massage therapy aids in the muscle development and quick healing of fractured bones as well.
Elakizhi
Elakizhi or Potli massage is one of the popular massage therapies for treating joint pains, stiffness, and muscle spasms. This technique focuses on inducing perspiration by massaging the body with potlis, made with herbs fried in herbal oil and packed to a linen cloth. The long, circular, and stamping massaging strokes during elaichi help in reducing inflammation and stiffness.
Njavarakizhi
This rejuvenation massage therapy uses pouches of cooked rice mixed with milk and herbal extracts. Similar to elakizhi, njavarakizhi also induces perspiration with warm oil massage strokes.
According to Ayurveda, there are a number of treatments available for frozen shoulder. However, it is always advised to seek massage therapies or treatments from a qualified Ayurvedic practitioner, as they will be able to provide you with the right guidance based on your body type and health condition.
At Swasthya Ayurveda and Wellness Centre, we have a team of dedicated and experienced Ayurvedic practitioners who can offer specialized and authentic treatments for all health issues. Dr. Divya Menon, a highly sought-after specialist with expertise in preventive and curative methods of degenerative and lifestyle diseases, heads our team.
