Periarthritis Of The Shoulderaccording to TCM
Symptom families: Joint Symptoms, Shoulder Issues
Did you mean? Shoulder Swelling
What is Periarthritis of the Shoulder?
Periarthritis of the shoulder, commonly known as frozen shoulder or adhesive capsulitis, is a condition characterized by stiffness and pain in the shoulder joint. It typically involves a gradual onset of discomfort and limited mobility, potentially culminating in significant difficulty with common motions like reaching or lifting. This can be a result of inflammation in the shoulder capsule, often without a clear initiating event, and it can severely impact daily functioning and quality of life.
How does TCM view Periarthritis of the Shoulder?
In Traditional Chinese Medicine, a 'pattern' describes a constellation of symptoms and signs reflecting an individual's health imbalance. It is a holistic diagnosis that captures the state of one's Qi, Yin and Yang, and the functional status of organs.
Discerning the specific pattern is crucial as it informs the precise TCM treatment strategy — whether it's selecting appropriate herbs, formulating acupuncture points, or applying other therapeutic modalities — aiming for the restoration of harmony and health within the body.
Causes of Periarthritis of the Shoulder According to TCM
In TCM, periarthritis of the shoulder is often associated with what is known as a Painful Obstruction Syndrome, which can arise from a combination of Deficiencies and pathological influences. Qi and Blood Deficiency, where there is inadequate nourishment reaching the tissues, can lead to weakness and stiffness.
Additionally, invasion of Wind, Cold, and Damp can obstruct the smooth flow of Qi and Blood, causing pain and limited movement. Recognizing these specific causes is vital in TCM, as it informs a targeted treatment strategy to address the root of the discomfort.
TCM Herbal Formulas for Periarthritis Of The Shoulder
For the treatment of periarthritis, TCM prescribes several formulas depending on the diagnosed pattern. For instance, Du Huo Ji Sheng Tang is used for patterns involving Liver and Kidney Deficiency, aiming to nourish the Deficiency and dispel the obstructing factors.
Similarly, Juan Bi Tang might be recommended when there's a combined Deficiency of Qi and Blood contributing to the Painful Obstruction. The key herbs in these formulas, like Pubescent Angelica Roots and Notopterygium Roots, are specifically chosen for their abilities to address the unique aspects of each pattern of disharmony.
Explore below some TCM herbal formulas used to address periarthritis of the shoulder, organized by formula type.
- By Formula Type
- Formulas that dispel wind-Damp
- Formulas that clear wind-Cold
- Formulas that warm the meridians and disperse cold
- Formulas that warm and purge
- Formulas that warm and transform water and dampness
- Formulas that regulate blood
Formulas that dispel Wind-Damp
Periarthritis of the shoulder can be treated by these formulas when it arises from a pathogenic influence of wind combined with dampness, which often obstructs the flow of Qi and Blood.
One such formula is Du Huo Ji Sheng Tang, with pubescent angelica root as a key herb.
Other formulas of this category are listed in the table below.
All "formulas that dispel wind-Damp" recommended for periarthritis of the shoulder
Formulas that clear Wind-Cold
Periarthritis of the shoulder can be treated by these formulas when it stems from external pathogenic influences characterized by cold and wind symptoms.
One such formula is Ge Gen Tang, with kudzu root as a key herb.
Other formulas of this category are listed in the table below.
All "formulas that clear wind-Cold" recommended for periarthritis of the shoulder
| Formula | Key herbs |
|---|---|
| Ge Gen Tang | Kudzu Roots (Ge Gen) |
| Ma Huang Tang | Ephedra (Ma Huang) |
| Xiao Qing Long Tang | Ephedra (Ma Huang), Cinnamon Twigs (Gui Zhi) |
Formulas that warm the Meridians and disperse Cold
Periarthritis of the shoulder can be treated by these formulas if it results from cold obstructing the meridians, leading to pain or stiffness, requiring warming and dispersing actions.
One such formula is Huang Qi Gui Zhi Wu Wu Tang, with milkvetch root as a key herb.
Other formulas of this category are listed in the table below.
All "formulas that warm the meridians and disperse cold" recommended for periarthritis of the shoulder
| Formula | Key herbs |
|---|---|
| Huang Qi Gui Zhi Wu Wu Tang | Milkvetch Roots (Huang Qi), Cinnamon Twigs (Gui Zhi) |
| Wu Tou Tang | Prepared Sichuan Aconite (Zhi Chuan Wu), Ephedra (Ma Huang) |
Formulas that warm and purge
Periarthritis of the shoulder can be treated by these formulas if it stems from cold accumulation coupled with excess conditions, necessitating warming and purging actions.
One such formula is Da Huang Fu Zi Tang, with prepared aconite as a key herb.
Formulas that warm and transform water and Dampness
Periarthritis of the shoulder can be treated by these formulas if it is due to cold-dampness obstructing the body's functions, requiring warming and damp-transforming actions.
One such formula is Fu Zi Tang, with prepared aconite as a key herb.
Formulas that regulate Blood
Periarthritis of the shoulder can be treated by these formulas when it stems from irregularities or imbalances in the blood, which may affect circulation or cause other blood-related issues.
One such formula is Shen Tong Zhu Yu Tang, with peach kernel as a key herb.
TCM Herbs for Periarthritis Of The Shoulder
Explore below some TCM herbs used to address periarthritis of the shoulder, organized by herb category.
- By Herb Category
- Warm/Acrid herbs that release the exterior
- Herbs that invigorate the blood
- Herbs that dispel wind and dampness
- Herbs that warm the interior and/or expel cold
- Cool/Acrid herbs that release the exterior
- Tonic herbs for qi deficiency
Warm/Acrid herbs that release the Exterior
Periarthritis of the shoulder can be treated by these herbs when there is a need to dispel external cold and warm the body, especially in cases where there is insufficient Yang energy internally.
One such herb is Cinnamon Twigs (Gui Zhi), a key herb in some formulas recommended for periarthritis of the shoulder, like Gui Zhi Shao Yao Zhi Mu Tang.
Other herbs of this category are listed in the table below.
"Warm/Acrid herbs that release the Exterior" recommended for periarthritis of the shoulder
| Herb | Formulas they belong to (if applicable) |
|---|---|
| Cinnamon Twigs (Gui Zhi) | Gui Zhi Shao Yao Zhi Mu Tang | Huang Qi Gui Zhi Wu Wu Tang | Xiao Qing Long Tang |
| Ephedra (Ma Huang) | Ma Huang Tang | Xiao Qing Long Tang | Wu Tou Tang |
| Notopterygium Roots (Qiang Huo) | Juan Bi Tang |
| Saposhnikovia Roots (Fang Feng) | Juan Bi Tang |
Herbs that invigorate the Blood
Periarthritis of the shoulder can be treated by these herbs when it stems from stagnation or poor circulation of blood, helping to improve blood flow and alleviate related discomfort.
One such herb is Peach Kernels (Tao Ren), a key herb in some formulas recommended for periarthritis of the shoulder, like Shen Tong Zhu Yu Tang.
Other herbs of this category are listed in the table below.
"Herbs that invigorate the Blood" recommended for periarthritis of the shoulder
| Herb | Formulas they belong to (if applicable) |
|---|---|
| Peach Kernels (Tao Ren) | Shen Tong Zhu Yu Tang |
| Safflowers (Hong Hua) | Shen Tong Zhu Yu Tang |
| Szechuan Lovage Roots (Chuan Xiong) | Shen Tong Zhu Yu Tang |
Herbs that dispel Wind and Dampness
Periarthritis of the shoulder can be treated by these herbs when it is due to the invasion or accumulation of wind and dampness, which often affects the muscles and joints.
One such herb is Pubescent Angelica Roots (Du Huo), a key herb in some formulas recommended for periarthritis of the shoulder, like Du Huo Ji Sheng Tang.
Other herbs of this category are listed in the table below.
"Herbs that dispel Wind and Dampness" recommended for periarthritis of the shoulder
| Herb | Formulas they belong to (if applicable) |
|---|---|
| Pubescent Angelica Roots (Du Huo) | Du Huo Ji Sheng Tang |
| Prepared Sichuan Aconite (Zhi Chuan Wu) | Wu Tou Tang |
Herbs that warm the Interior and/or expel Cold
Periarthritis of the shoulder can be treated by these herbs if it is due to internal coldness or deficient Yang energy, working to warm the body and dispel cold.
One such herb is Prepared Aconite (Zhi Fu Zi), a key herb in some formulas recommended for periarthritis of the shoulder, like Da Huang Fu Zi Tang.
Cool/Acrid herbs that release the Exterior
Periarthritis of the shoulder can be treated by these herbs when the body needs to harmonize with external environmental changes, particularly when there's a need to expel pathogenic factors like wind or cold without overly cooling the body.
One such herb is Kudzu Roots (Ge Gen), a key herb in some formulas recommended for periarthritis of the shoulder, like Ge Gen Tang.
Tonic herbs for Qi Deficiency
Periarthritis of the shoulder can be treated by these herbs when stemming from a lack of vital energy or Qi, helping to boost energy and overall vitality.
One such herb is Milkvetch Roots (Huang Qi), a key herb in some formulas recommended for periarthritis of the shoulder, like Huang Qi Gui Zhi Wu Wu Tang.