From the perspective of Chinese medicine, we generally refer to frozen shoulder as “50s shoulders” because many of our patients start to develop symptoms around the age of 50. The cause of this disease is actually the accumulation of living environment, living habits, and exercise habits.
The occurrence of frozen shoulder is usually divided into 2 major factors-external and internal. The most common external cause is “Wind-cold attack” – induced by wind chill, cold, or rain. Shoulder pain is mild, short course, the pain is confined to the shoulder, manifested as pure pain, soreness or numbness.
There are 3 internal causes – wind, “Cold and dampness”, “Deficiency of both qi and blood”, and “Blood stasis to hinder circulation”.
“Wind”, “Cold” and “Dampness” are common causes for most Singaporeans. Living in damp areas for a long time and prolonged working hours in air-conditioned shopping malls or offices cause cold and dampness in the veins and stagnation of qi and blood. This is more serious than the “Wind-cold attack” mentioned previously. Most patients have severe pain around the shoulders, or radiating pain in the direction of the fingers, severe pain at night, long illness, shoulder joint dysfunction, accompanied by numbness, heaviness, and a cold stomach.
The two deficiency of qi and blood is caused by long-term over-activity, overwork, exhausting qi, and blood, or chronic damage to the muscles and veins caused by poor posture, or physique deficiency of qi and blood, and weak blood circulation. Many of these patients are those who do not exercise much so the muscles and bones are not stretched or exercise excessively, or improperly (such as gym/yoga addicts). Many of these patients have shoulder pain and numbness, weak limbs, or local muscle spasms, increased pain after exertion, shoulder mobility disorders, weakness in raising hands, accompanied by dizziness, pale complexion, tiredness, relieved after rest, like to press rub. This type of patient generally likes to do TCM Tuina Massage regularly to alleviate the symptoms.
Most patients with blood stasis have a history of shoulder trauma or hidden contusion. Improper treatment after excessive traction, or shoulder joint dislocations, fractures, and accumulation over time will obstruct blood flow in the shoulders and cause blood stasis to coagulate. Symptoms include slight shoulder swelling and pain, mainly at night. Sometimes it may develop into severe pain, tingling, muscle atrophy for a long time, and limited activity.
TCM Tuina Massage is an ancient therapeutic technique designed to restore balance and unblock the flow of Qi (energy) in the body. This Traditional Chinese Medicine for shoulder pain involves acupressure methods such as kneading, pressing, rolling, and stretching.
By stimulating pressure points and improving circulation, TCM Tuina Massage for frozen shoulder encourages the body’s natural healing process. In Singapore, many practitioners combine TCM Tuina Massage with acupuncture for enhanced results in shoulder pain relief.
Acupuncture for shoulder pain is a widely used TCM technique in Singapore. It targets specific acupoints to stimulate blood circulation, release endorphins (your body’s natural painkillers), and unblock stagnant Qi.
Although acupuncture may seem intimidating, TCM acupuncture treatment is generally gentle and minimally painful when performed by trained professionals. For frozen shoulder pain relief, acupuncture is often paired with TCM Tuina Massage to provide faster, more effective recovery.
Cupping therapy is another frozen shoulder TCM treatment that helps boost blood flow and relieve muscle tension. Special cups are placed on the skin to create suction, drawing toxins to the surface and encouraging Qi flow restoration.
This treatment is particularly beneficial for shoulder stiffness caused by cold exposure or old injuries. TCM cupping therapy in Singapore is popular for its ability to break down muscle adhesions, relax the body, and promote long-term shoulder mobility.
Moxibustion therapy involves burning moxa (mugwort) near specific acupoints to warm the meridians and dispel cold and dampness from the body. This ancient TCM shoulder treatment is especially effective for pain linked to poor circulation and cold conditions.
By stimulating Qi flow and boosting immunity, moxibustion for frozen shoulder can be used alone or in combination with acupuncture for better, lasting results.
The onset of the frozen shoulder does not happen overnight, it usually lasts for many years. In the next article, we will discuss the treatment for frozen shoulder relief.
