Frozen Shoulder

Symptoms

Frozen Shoulder Symptoms

Frozen shoulder develops slowly and moves through three overlapping stages. Each stage can last several months, and the whole course often takes one to three years. This varies from person to person.

Stage 1: Freezing

Most shoulder movements cause pain, and your range of motion begins to shrink. Pain is often worse at night.

Stage 2: Frozen

Pain may ease, but stiffness is at its peak. Dressing, washing your hair or reaching a shelf becomes difficult.

Stage 3: Thawing

Shoulder mobility slowly starts to return.

Common everyday signs include:

• Difficulty lifting your arm overhead or reaching behind your back
• A dull, aching pain in the outer shoulder or upper arm
• Pain when lying on the affected side
• Trouble with tasks such as combing hair, wearing a shirt or reaching into a pocket

Who Is More Likely to Get Frozen Shoulder?

Anyone can develop it, but the risk is higher if you:

• Are over 40, and especially if you're a woman
• Have diabetes or a thyroid condition
• Have kept your shoulder still for a long time after an injury, surgery or stroke

Many people with frozen shoulder have none of these risk factors.

Is It Really Frozen Shoulder?

Other problems can cause shoulder pain and stiffness, including rotator cuff injury, shoulder arthritis and neck problems such as cervical spondylosis, where pain travels to the shoulder. Inflammatory joint conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis can also involve the shoulder.

A doctor will examine how far your shoulder moves, with and without help. They may ask for an X-ray or other reports to rule out other causes. [CONFIRM: which tests the hospital advises or accepts, such as X-ray or MRI]

Frozen Shoulder Treatment Options

No single treatment suits everyone. The right plan depends on your stage, your pain, your other health conditions (especially diabetes) and how stiff the shoulder has become.

Conventional Medical and Physiotherapy Care

Mainstream care for adhesive capsulitis includes gentle stretching guided by a physiotherapist, pain-relief medicines, heat application and, in some cases, corticosteroid injections into the joint. Procedures such as manipulation under anaesthesia or arthroscopic release are considered only for a small number of people whose stiffness persists. [CONFIRM: state whether Shivaya refers patients for injections or surgery when needed. Suggested wording: "Shivaya Hospital provides Ayurvedic care. If you need an injection or procedure, your doctor will advise you and refer you to the right specialist."]

Ayurvedic Treatment for Frozen Shoulder

Ayurveda describes a similar condition as Apabahuka, generally linked to aggravated Vata dosha in the shoulder region. Treatment is planned individually after assessing your symptoms, stage, general health and constitution. It may include:

• Snehana: warm medicated-oil massage of the shoulder, neck and upper back
• Swedana: herbal steam or heat to ease stiffness
• Other external therapies: [CONFIRM: list only what Shivaya actually offers, e.g. Patra Pinda Sweda, Pizhichil, Nasya, Basti]
• Herbal medicines: [CONFIRM: whether prescribed, and the general approach]
• Diet, lifestyle and posture guidance, along with gentle mobility exercises

Research on Ayurvedic treatment for frozen shoulder is still limited. Results differ from person to person, so we can't promise a specific outcome or timeline.

What to Expect at Your First Visit [CONFIRM the whole subsection]

• A conversation about your symptoms, when they began and your medical history, including diabetes, thyroid problems, past injuries or surgery, and current medicines
• An examination of your shoulder movement and strength
• A review of any X-rays, MRI or blood reports you bring
• An explanation of the suggested plan, likely duration and follow-up

Gentle Home Exercises for Shoulder Mobility

Do these only after your doctor agrees. Stop if you feel sharp pain. A warm shower beforehand can make stretching easier.

1. Pendulum swing: Lean forward, support yourself with your healthy hand on a table, let the affected arm hang and gently swing it in small circles.
2. Towel stretch: Hold a towel behind your back and use your healthy arm to gently pull the other arm upward.
3. Cross-body stretch: Use your healthy hand to lift the affected arm at the elbow and bring it across your chest. Hold for 15 to 20 seconds.

Safety and Limits: What to Tell Your Doctor

• Improvement is usually gradual. Frozen shoulder can take months to settle, even with treatment.
• Tell us about diabetes, blood pressure, thyroid or heart conditions, pregnancy, allergies, and all medicines and supplements you take.
• Don't stop or change prescribed medicines without talking to your doctor.
• If you have diabetes, keeping your blood sugar well controlled matters for your shoulder as well.

When to See a Doctor

Book a consultation if shoulder pain or stiffness lasts more than a few weeks, disturbs your sleep or limits your work.

Get emergency care immediately if shoulder or arm pain comes with chest pressure, breathlessness, sweating or pain spreading to the jaw, as these can be signs of a heart problem. Seek urgent help too if the pain follows a fall or injury, or comes with fever, a red, hot, swollen joint, or sudden weakness or numbness.

Consult Dr. Avinash Singh Chauhan at Shivaya Hospital

Shivaya Hospital was founded by Dr. Avinash Singh Chauhan (B.A.M.S, F.I.P.M, F.S.K.S, Mumbai) to provide Ayurvedic care for chronic conditions. You can read about his awards and honours and browse our other Ayurvedic specialities.

Visit Shivaya Hospital

B-179, Awas Vikas Colony (Near Kanpur-Lucknow), Unnao-209801

Phone: +91-9424842988 | Email: info@shivayaclinic.com

Opening hours: Monday to Saturday, 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM

Book an appointment or contact us with your questions.