Periarthritis of the shoulder according to Chinese Medicine
The information provided here is not a replacement for a doctor. You shouldn't use it for the purpose of self-diagnosing or self-medicating but rather so you can have a more informed discussion with a professional TCM practitioner.
Periarthritis of the shoulder factsheet
Possible causes and remedies:
Painful Obstruction with Wind-Cold-Damp
Symptoms: Nausea Headaches Dizziness and five other symptoms
Recommended formula: Gui Zhi Shao Yao Zhi Mu Tang
Exterior Cold invading the Interior
Symptoms: Chills Constipation Abdominal pain and three other symptoms
Recommended formula: Da Huang Fu Zi Tang
In Chinese Medicine, periarthritis of the shoulder can be associated with six so-called "patterns of disharmony". Chinese Medicine sees the body as a system, not a sum of isolated parts. A "pattern" is when the system's harmony is disrupted. It is not equivalent to the Western concept of "disease", as a matter of fact here periarthritis of the shoulder can be caused by six different patterns.
To understand whether someone's periarthritis of the shoulder might be caused by a given pattern, one needs to look for signs and symptoms associated with the pattern beyond what one might typically experience from periarthritis of the shoulder alone. For instance when periarthritis of the shoulder is caused by the pattern Painful Obstruction with Wind-Cold-Damp, patients also experience symptoms such as swollen and painful joints that are warm to the touch and worsen at night, reduced range of motion in the affected joints, chills without sweating and weight loss. Similarly, patients with Painful Obstruction with Wind-Cold-Damp typically exhibit slippery (Hua) or wiry (Xian) pulses as well as a tongue with thick white coating.
We've listed below a description of the six patterns associated with periarthritis of the shoulder so that you can start to get an understanding of the various possibilities according to Chinese Medicine.
Once identified, patterns are often treated using herbal formulas. Drinking herbal infusions is the most common remedy in Chinese Medicine, together with acupuncture. Here we detail below nine formulas that can help treat the various patterns associated with periarthritis of the shoulder, depending on which pattern fits your profile.
The six "patterns of disharmony" associated with periarthritis of the shoulder
Cinnamon Twigs (Gui Zhi) is the key herb for Gui Zhi Shao Yao Zhi Mu Tang, a formula used for Painful Obstruction with Wind-Cold-Damp
Painful Obstruction with Wind-Cold-Damp
Pulse type(s): Slippery (Hua), Wiry (Xian)
Tongue coating: Thick white coating
Recommended herbal formula: Gui Zhi Shao Yao Zhi Mu Tang
Symptoms: Nausea Headaches Dizziness Weight loss Shortness of breath Chills without sweating Reduced range of motion in the affected joints Swollen and painful joints that are warm to the touch and worsen at night
Periarthritis of the shoulder might be due to Painful Obstruction with Wind-Cold-Damp if the condition is paired with typical pattern symptoms such as swollen and painful joints that are warm to the touch and worsen at night, reduced range of motion in the affected joints, chills without sweating and weight loss. Similarly, patients with Painful Obstruction with Wind-Cold-Damp typically exhibit slippery (Hua) or wiry (Xian) pulses as well as a tongue with thick white coating.
Read more about Painful Obstruction with Wind-Cold-Damp here
Prepared Aconite (Zhi Fu Zi) is the key herb for Da Huang Fu Zi Tang, a formula used for Exterior Cold invading the Interior
Exterior Cold invading the Interior
Pulse type(s): Tight (Jin), Wiry (Xian)
Tongue coating: Thick white coating
Recommended herbal formula: Da Huang Fu Zi Tang
Symptoms: Chills Constipation Abdominal pain Low-grade fever Hypochondriac pain Cold hands and feet
Periarthritis of the shoulder might be due to Exterior Cold invading the Interior if the condition is paired with typical pattern symptoms such as abdominal pain, constipation, hypochondriac pain and chills. Similarly, patients with Exterior Cold invading the Interior typically exhibit tight (Jin) or wiry (Xian) pulses as well as a tongue with thick white coating.
Prepared Aconite (Zhi Fu Zi) is the key herb for Fu Zi Tang, a formula used for Yang Deficiency with Cold-Damp
Yang Deficiency with Cold-Damp
Pulse type(s): Choppy (Se), Deep (Chen), Minute (Wei), Slow (Chi)
Tongue coating: Thin white coating
Recommended herbal formula: Fu Zi Tang
Symptoms: No thirst Cold extremities Generalized body pain Aching bones and joints Aversion to cold - especially at the back
Periarthritis of the shoulder might be due to Yang Deficiency with Cold-Damp if the condition is paired with typical pattern symptoms such as generalized body pain, aching bones and joints, cold extremities and no thirst. Similarly, patients with Yang Deficiency with Cold-Damp typically exhibit choppy (Se), deep (Chen), minute (Wei) or slow (Chi) pulses as well as a tongue with thin white coating.
Notopterygium Roots (Qiang Huo) is the key herb for Juan Bi Tang, a formula used for Painful Obstruction with Qi and Blood Deficiency
Painful Obstruction with Qi and Blood Deficiency
Pulse type(s): Slowed-down (Huan)
Tongue coating: Thin white coating
Recommended herbal formula: Juan Bi Tang
Symptoms: Difficulty in moving Numbness in the extremities General sensation of heaviness Stiffness in the neck shoulder and upper back
Periarthritis of the shoulder might be due to Painful Obstruction with Qi and Blood Deficiency if the condition is paired with typical pattern symptoms such as general sensation of heaviness, numbness in the extremities, difficulty in moving and stiffness in the neck shoulder and upper back. Similarly, patients with Painful Obstruction with Qi and Blood Deficiency typically exhibit slowed-down (Huan) pulses as well as a tongue with thin white coating.
Read more about Painful Obstruction with Qi and Blood Deficiency here
The Kidneys is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Kidneys in Chinese Medicine
Painful Obstruction with Liver and Kidney Deficiency
Pulse type(s): Fine (Xi), Slow (Chi), Weak (Ruo)
Tongue coating: Thin white coating
Tongue color: Pale
Recommended herbal formula: Du Huo Ji Sheng Tang
Symptoms: Palpitations Aversion to cold Shortness of breath Attraction to warmth Weakness and stiffness Heavy and painful sensations in the lower back and lower extremities
Periarthritis of the shoulder might be due to Painful Obstruction with Liver and Kidney Deficiency if the condition is paired with typical pattern symptoms such as heavy and painful sensations in the lower back and lower extremities, weakness and stiffness, aversion to cold and attraction to warmth. Similarly, patients with Painful Obstruction with Liver and Kidney Deficiency typically exhibit fine (Xi), slow (Chi) or weak (Ruo) pulses as well as a pale tongue with thin white coating.
Read more about Painful Obstruction with Liver and Kidney Deficiency here
Ephedra (Ma Huang) is the key herb for Xiao Qing Long Tang, a formula used for Phlegm-Fluids above the diaphragm
Phlegm-Fluids above the diaphragm
Pulse type(s): Floating (Fu), Tight (Jin)
Tongue coating: Thick white coating
Tongue shape: Swollen
Recommended herbal formula: Xiao Qing Long Tang
Symptoms: Wheezing No thirst Absence of sweating Generalized body pain Alternating fever and chills General sensation of heaviness Stifling sensation in the chest Coughing of copious thin and white sputum
Periarthritis of the shoulder might be due to Phlegm-Fluids above the diaphragm if the condition is paired with typical pattern symptoms such as alternating fever and chills, absence of sweating, wheezing and stifling sensation in the chest. Similarly, patients with Phlegm-Fluids above the diaphragm typically exhibit floating (Fu) or tight (Jin) pulses as well as a tongue with thick white coating.
The nine herbal formulas that might help with periarthritis of the shoulder
Gui Zhi Shao Yao Zhi Mu Tang
Source date: 220 AD
Number of ingredients: 9 herbs
Key actions: Clears Heat and inflammations. Unblocks the flow of Yang Qi and promotes movement (in areas with painful obstruction). Clears Wind and Damp. Relieves pain.
Why might Gui Zhi Shao Yao Zhi Mu Tang help with periarthritis of the shoulder?
Because it is a formula often recommended to help treat Painful Obstruction with Wind-Cold-Damp, a pattern sometimes associated with periarthritis of the shoulder. If it looks like you might suffer from Painful Obstruction with Wind-Cold-Damp, this formula might help (although please seek confirmation with a professional practitioner beforehand).
Da Huang Fu Zi Tang
Source date: 220 AD
Number of ingredients: 3 herbs
Key actions: Warms the Interior. Disperses Cold. Unblocks the bowels. Alleviates pain.
Why might Da Huang Fu Zi Tang help with periarthritis of the shoulder?
Because it is a formula often recommended to help treat Exterior Cold invading the Interior, a pattern sometimes associated with periarthritis of the shoulder. If it looks like you might suffer from Exterior Cold invading the Interior, this formula might help (although please seek confirmation with a professional practitioner beforehand).
Fu Zi Tang
Source date: 220 AD
Number of ingredients: 5 herbs
Key actions: Warms the Meridians. Assists the Yang. Dispels Cold. Transforms Dampness.
Why might Fu Zi Tang help with periarthritis of the shoulder?
Because it is a formula often recommended to help treat Yang Deficiency with Cold-Damp, a pattern sometimes associated with periarthritis of the shoulder. If it looks like you might suffer from Yang Deficiency with Cold-Damp, this formula might help (although please seek confirmation with a professional practitioner beforehand).
Juan Bi Tang
Source date: 1178 AD
Number of ingredients: 9 herbs
Key actions: Tonifies and harmonizes the Protective and Nutritive Qi. Dispels Wind. Eliminates Dampness.
Why might Juan Bi Tang help with periarthritis of the shoulder?
Because it is a formula often recommended to help treat Painful Obstruction with Qi and Blood Deficiency, a pattern sometimes associated with periarthritis of the shoulder. If it looks like you might suffer from Painful Obstruction with Qi and Blood Deficiency, this formula might help (although please seek confirmation with a professional practitioner beforehand).
Du Huo Ji Sheng Tang
Source date: 650 AD
Number of ingredients: 15 herbs
Key actions: Anti-rheumatic, clears Wind, Cold and Damp Stagnation. Strengthens the function of the Liver and Kidney. Tonifies Qi and Blood.
Why might Du Huo Ji Sheng Tang help with periarthritis of the shoulder?
Because it is a formula often recommended to help treat Painful Obstruction with Liver and Kidney Deficiency, a pattern sometimes associated with periarthritis of the shoulder. If it looks like you might suffer from Painful Obstruction with Liver and Kidney Deficiency, this formula might help (although please seek confirmation with a professional practitioner beforehand).
Symptoms related to periarthritis of the shoulder
Shortness of breath Generalized body pain No thirst General sensation of heaviness Swollen and painful joints that are warm to the touch and worsen at night Reduced range of motion in the affected joints Chills without sweating Weight loss Headaches Dizziness
