Q & A #1 - Frozen Shoulder

I slipped and fell on my shoulders last week. I get some pain from a particular angle while lifting my hand. I am concerned as my mother was treated for a frozen shoulder last year. Could this be also a frozen shoulder by any chance? if yes, what are the treatments available?

The shoulder is where the joint combines with tendons and muscles to allow a wider range of free movements in the arm. Most shoulder pain falls into four main categories.

1. Tendon / Bursa inflammation which happens due to the impingement of the acromion of the shoulder blade putting more pressure on the tendons or bursa. 2. Frozen shoulder is the thickening and stiffness of the tissues around the shoulder joint which usually happens due to longer periods of inactivity after injury. 3. Arthritis develops slowly due to the wear and tear of the joint 4. Instability is seen in repeated episodes of subluxation or dislocation.

Most commonly, acute shoulder pain is seen due to the impingement of the acromion causing bursitis, rotator cuff injury, or tendinitis, especially after a fall. You can check by lifting up your arm, where you will experience pain from 60 degrees to 120 degrees, but will be able to lift your arm completely. Whereas the frozen shoulder develops gradually with the onset of pain leading to complete stiffness of the shoulder, making it difficult to lift. Getting an MRI of the shoulder will help in pinpoint the diagnosis.

Anti-inflammatory medicines like Rasnadi kashayam, Yoga raja Guggulu, and Ostikot helps to reduce inflammation. Treatments like Abyangam, Lepam, Dhanyamla dhara, and Podi kizhi helps. Rejuvenating medicines like Gandha thailam or ksheera bala thailam capsules can be taken to strengthen the joints along with treatments like Pizhichal and Navara kizhi to nourish the tissues as well to improve the range of shoulder movements.