Shoulder stiffness 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.
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Shoulder stiffness can be the consequence of several so-called “patterns of disharmony” in Chinese Medicine.
Chinese Medicine sees the body as a system, not a sum of isolated parts. A "pattern" is when the system's harmony is disrupted, leading to symptoms or signs that something is wrong (like shoulder stiffness here). It is similar to the concept of disease in Western Medicine but not quite: a Western disease can often be explained by several Chinese patterns and vice-versa.
A pattern often manifests itself in a combination of symptoms that, at first glance, do not seem necessarily related to each others. For instance here shoulder stiffness is often associated with dizziness, stiff neck and dry stools in the pattern “Liver Yang Rising”.
Once identified, patterns are treated using medicinal herbs, acupuncture, and other therapies. In the case of shoulder stiffness we’ve identified five herbal formulas that may help treat patterns behind the symptom.
We’ve also selected below the five medicinal herbs that we think are most likely to help treat shoulder stiffness.
Liver Yang Rising, a "pattern of disharmony" that can cause shoulder stiffness
In Chinese Medicine shoulder stiffness is a symptom for the pattern "Liver Yang Rising". Below is a small explanation for it with links for more details.
The Liver is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Liver in Chinese Medicine
Liver Yang Rising
Pulse type(s): Wiry (Xian)
Tongue color: Red
Long term Liver Yin Deficiency causes Liver Yang rising upwards. The treatment should be focused on subduing rising Yang as well as nourishing Liver Yin and Blood. It is also called Arrogant Liver Yang.
In addition to shoulder stiffness, other symptoms associated with Liver Yang Rising include dizziness, stiff neck and dry stools.
Liver Yang Rising is often treated with Liu Wei Di Huang Wan, a herbal formula made of 6 herbs (including Prepared Rehmannia - Shu Di huang - as a key herb). Liu Wei Di Huang Wan belongs to the category of "formulas that nourish yin and tonify", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Nutritive tonic for the Liver and Kidney Yin Essence (nourishes the parasympathetic nervous system)".
Five herbal formulas that might help with shoulder stiffness
Liu Wei Di Huang Wan
Source date: 1119 AD
Number of ingredients: 6 herbs
Key actions: Nutritive tonic for the Liver and Kidney Yin Essence (nourishes the parasympathetic nervous system).
Why might Liu Wei Di Huang Wan help with shoulder stiffness?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Liver Yang Rising' of which stiff shoulder is a symptom.
Qi Ju Di Huang Wan
Source date: 1350 AD
Number of ingredients: 8 herbs
Key actions: Nourishes Kidney and Liver Yin. Improves vision.
Why might Qi Ju Di Huang Wan help with shoulder stiffness?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Liver Yang Rising' of which stiff shoulder is a symptom.
Tian Ma Gou Teng Yin
Source date: 1958 AD
Number of ingredients: 11 herbs
Key actions: Calms the Liver. Extinguishes wind. Invigorates the blood. Clears heat. Tonifies the Liver and Kidneys.
Why might Tian Ma Gou Teng Yin help with shoulder stiffness?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Liver Yang Rising' of which stiff shoulder is a symptom.
Ling Jiao Gou Teng Tang
Source date: Qing dynasty
Number of ingredients: 10 herbs
Key actions: Cools the Liver. Extinguishes Wind. Increases Fluids. Relaxes the sinews.
Why might Ling Jiao Gou Teng Tang help with shoulder stiffness?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Liver Yang Rising' of which stiff shoulder is a symptom.
Da Chai Hu Tang
Source date: 220 AD
Number of ingredients: 8 herbs
Key actions: Harmonizes and releases the Lesser Yang. Drains internal clumping due to Heat.
Why might Da Chai Hu Tang help with shoulder stiffness?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Liver Yang Rising' of which stiff shoulder is a symptom.
Acupuncture points used for shoulder stiffness
The five Chinese Medicinal herbs most likely to help treat shoulder stiffness
Why might White Peony Root (Bai Shao) help with shoulder stiffness?
Because White Peony Root is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat shoulder stiffness as a symptom, like Huang Qi Gui Zhi Wu Wu Tang or Wu Tou Tang for instance.
White Peony Roots is a Neutral herb that tastes Bitter and Sour. It targets the Liver and the Spleen.
Its main actions are: Tonifies the Blood and preserves the Yin. Nourishes the Liver and assists in the smooth flow of Qi. Regulates the meridians and eases the pain.
Why might Liquorice (Gan Cao) help with shoulder stiffness?
Because Liquorice is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat shoulder stiffness as a symptom, like Wu Tou Tang or Tao He Cheng Qi Tang for instance.
Liquorice is a Neutral herb that tastes Sweet. It targets the Heart, the Lung, the Spleen and the Stomach.
Its main actions are: Tonifies the Basal Qi and nourishes the Spleen Qi. Clears Heat and dispels toxicity. Moistens the Lungsexpel phlegm and stop coughing. Relieves spasms and alleviates pain. Harmonizes and moderates the effects of other herbs.
Why might Peach Kernel (Tao Ren) help with shoulder stiffness?
Because Peach Kernel is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat shoulder stiffness as a symptom, like Tao He Cheng Qi Tang or Di Dang Tang for instance.
Peach Kernels is a Neutral herb that tastes Bitter and Sweet. It targets the Heart, the Large intestine and the Liver.
Its main actions are: Moves Blood and breaks up Stasis. Moistens the Intestines. Relieves coughing.
Why might Rhubarb (Da Huang) help with shoulder stiffness?
Because Rhubarb is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat shoulder stiffness as a symptom, like Da Huang Mu Dan Pi Tang or Da Huang Zhe Chong Wan for instance.
Rhubarb is a Cold herb that tastes Bitter. It targets the Spleen, the Stomach, the Large intestine, the Liver and the Pericardium.
Its main actions are: Drains Excess Heat and eliminates Dampness, especially when in the Bright Yang stage according to the Six Stages Theory. Cools the Blood and stops bleeding. Invigorates Blood, breaks up Stasis and relieves pain. Clears Heat and toxins from Excess. Applied topically for Hot sores and Blood Stasis.
Why might Prepared Rehmannia (Shu Di Huang) help with shoulder stiffness?
Because Prepared Rehmannia is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat shoulder stiffness as a symptom, like Liu Wei Di Huang Wan or Qi Ju Di Huang Wan for instance.
Prepared Rehmannia is a Warm herb that tastes Sweet. It targets the Kidney and the Liver.
Its main actions are: Tonifies the Blood. Tonifies the Yin of the Kidneys.
Other symptoms often associated with shoulder stiffness
Dizziness Stiff neck Dry stools Headaches Tinnitus Deafness Blurred vision Dry mouth Dry throat Insomnia