Do you feel difficulty in moving your arms in different directions? Are you unable to stretch your arms beyond a certain point? You likely have frozen shoulders.
Know that frozen shoulders are not just about a stiff joint but they can slowly make everyday tasks like combing your hair or wearing a shirt feel nearly impossible. The condition builds up quietly over time and can stay for months, even years, if not managed well.
In Ayurveda, this condition is understood differently from modern medicine. Instead of just focusing on the pain, Ayurveda goes deeper, right into the body’s natural balance of energies.
If you’re searching for natural, side-effect-free solutions and real ways to get back your shoulder’s mobility, here’s everything you need to know about frozen shoulder and how Ayurveda looks at it.
What Is a Frozen Shoulder?
Frozen shoulder, or adhesive capsulitis, happens when the tissues around your shoulder joint become thick and tight. This limits your shoulder’s ability to move, and pain makes it worse.
It typically has three stages:
- Freezing stage: Movement becomes painful and gradually limited.
- Frozen stage: Pain may reduce, but stiffness increases.
- Thawing stage: Movement starts to return, slowly.
This process can take months or even years. And know that it doesn’t go away on its own for everyone.
Symptoms You May Notice
- Constant dull ache in one shoulder
- Pain that worsens at night
- Difficulty lifting your arm overhead
- Trouble with daily tasks like dressing or reaching for something
What Causes Frozen Shoulder According to Ayurveda?
In Ayurveda, frozen shoulders are referred to as Apabahuka. It is mainly caused by an imbalance in the Vata dosha, which governs all movement in the body. When Vata becomes aggravated due to poor digestion, inactivity, stress, or injury, it causes dryness, stiffness, and pain in the joints.
Here’s how it typically develops:
- Improper digestion → Leads to Ama (toxins) buildup
- Aggravated Vata → Dries and blocks the body’s channels
- Lack of physical movement → Further stiffens the joint
Certain conditions like diabetes, thyroid imbalance, or long periods of rest (like post-surgery) can make things worse.
Natural Ayurvedic Remedies That Can Help
In Ayurveda, you are not suggested one-size-fits-all solutions. Instead, Ayurveda doctors focus on balancing your body and removing the root cause. Here are the main ways Ayurveda treatment for shoulder pain manages frozen shoulder:
1. Panchakarma Therapies
Panchakarma is a detoxifying treatment that helps remove toxins and restore mobility. Panchakarma treatment for shoulder pain includes:
- Abhyanga: Massage with warm oil on the body to improve circulation and reduce stiffness.
- Patrapinda Sweda: Herbal leaf compress therapy that helps reduce inflammation.
- Basti: Medicated enema that balances Vata and improves joint health.
- Nasya: Herbal oil is administered through the nose to relieve pain in the shoulder and upper body.
2. Herbs That Help
- Guggulu: Fights inflammation and helps reduce stiffness.
- Shallaki (Boswellia): Known for its pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory properties.
- Nirgundi: A powerful herb to reduce swelling and promote movement.
- Dashamoola: A mix of 10 roots to calm Vata and ease pain.
Diet Tips to Support Healing
In Ayurveda, food is also medicine. Eating right can ease inflammation and keep Vata in check.
- Stick to warm, cooked meals like soups and stews
- Use anti-inflammatory spices like turmeric, cumin, ginger, and coriander
- Avoid cold, dry, or stale foods
- Add healthy fats like ghee, sesame oil, or olive oil
- Stay well-hydrated to support joint lubrication
- Include avocados, walnuts, and flaxseeds for good fats
Simple Yoga and Breathing Practices
Gentle yoga stretches can do wonders. But don’t push yourself.
- Gomukhasana (Cow Face Arms): Opens up the shoulders
- Thread the Needle Pose: Releases upper back tension
- Garudasana Arms (Eagle Pose): Great for shoulder mobility
- Anulom Vilom (alternate nostril breathing): Helps calm Vata and manage pain
Start slowly, and if any pose hurts, back off and try something easier.
Final Thoughts
Frozen shoulder can result from inactivity that is prevalent in today’s life. Living in big cities like Bangalore, where one hardly gets time for themselves and sits on desks for hours, frozen shoulders are a common occurrence.
However, it is not something to ignore. You can get Ayurvedic shoulder pain management treatments in Bangalore at a reputable Ayurveda. Ayurveda treatments will not only focus on your shoulder but also on your whole body.
You can regain your comfort and mobility with each step, from nourishing your tissues with herbal oils to balancing your internal energies.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to recover from a frozen shoulder with Ayurvedic treatment?
Frozen shoulder recovery totally depends on the severity of your condition and how long you’ve had it. Many patients with initial shoulder pain start to feel better in a few weeks. Patients with chronic pain may even take a month to start to feel better.
Can Ayurvedic oils be used at home for frozen shoulder?
Yes, Ayurveda shoulder pain treatment involves oils like Mahanarayan and Dashamoola, with which gentle massages are given on the shoulder. Make sure to get this massage under professional guidance or at a professional Ayurveda center or clinic.
Is exercise recommended when you have a frozen shoulder?
Light exercises can be performed when you have frozen shoulders. This again depends on the severity of your condition. If your case is severe, it is better to take complete rest. Avoid heavy lifting and perform some Yoga stretches and warm-ups.
Can diet alone help cure frozen shoulder?
Diet plays a supportive role not only for frozen shoulder but also for your whole body system. A good and healthy diet can’t cure frozen shoulder but definitely helps reduce inflammation and speed up recovery when combined with proper treatment.
