Frozen Shoulder (Apabahukam) Relief with Marma Chikitsa – A Case Study in Ayurveda

A 48-year-old gentleman suffering from right shoulder pain and stiffness for 6 months came to our Ayurvedic clinic for treatment. He was unable to lift his arm properly, struggled with daily activities like combing hair and reaching overhead cupboards, and felt increasing discomfort.

Symptoms He Experienced

• Pain in the right shoulder joint (Daxina amsha sandhi vedana)
• Stiffness restricting movement (Amsha sandhi graha)
• Difficulty raising and rotating his shoulder (reduced Range of Motion)
• Pain increased during lifting, abduction (moving arm sideways), and rotation
• Interestingly, he felt temporary comfort when lying on the painful shoulder
• These signs matched the classical Ayurvedic condition Apabahukam, which correlates with frozen shoulder (adhesive capsulitis) in modern medicine.
  
  
  

                                   

Ayurvedic Examination

On examination, the shoulder muscles (deltoid, supraspinatus, and long head of biceps brachii) were stiff and tender. Shoulder movements like lifting and rotation were severely painful, and creaking (crepitus) was felt in the joint.

Treatment Plan

The Ayurvedic management combined Marma Chikitsa (vital energy point therapy), herbal medicines, and external oil applications:

• Marma therapy: Krukatika, Amsa sandhi, Kakshadhara, and Kshipra marmas were gently manipulated. Among these, Amsa and Kakshadhara played the most important role in loosening the stiffness.
• Internal medicines: Prasaranyadi kashaya, Guggulutiktaka ghrita, and Yogaraja guggulu to reduce pain and inflammation.
• External applications: Regular massage with Parinata Kera taila and Karpoora taila.

Recovery Progress

• By the 4th day of Marma treatment, his shoulder flexion improved noticeably.
• By the 7th day, abduction (lifting sideways) and lateral rotation became much easier. Stiffness reduced by around 75% and pain by 90%.
• He was advised shoulder exercises along with continued medicines.
• At the 15-day follow-up, he was completely free of pain and stiffness, happily resuming his routine work without difficulty.

Takeaway

Frozen shoulder can be extremely distressing, limiting daily activities and causing long-term discomfort. Ayurveda offers a safe, natural, and effective approach through Marma Chikitsa, herbal support, and therapeutic oils. This case reflects how traditional wisdom can restore mobility and improve quality of life, even in chronic conditions.