What is Frozen Shoulder?
Frozen shoulder belongs to the category of “Arthralgia”, and Chinese medicine also refers to it as “Shoulder syndrome”, “Frozen shoulder” and so on.
From the perspective of Chinese medicine, we generally refer to frozen shoulders as “50s Shoulders” because many patients develop symptoms at around that age. Most of the time, the cause of this disease is due to a combination of different daily factors involving ones’ living environment, living habits, and exercise habits.
What are the causes of Frozen Shoulder?
Frozen shoulder is a manifestation of Qi and blood deficiency in TCM. If you do not have the habit of stretching exercises or your life posture is improper, and your muscles and bones are not properly stretched, your qi and blood will become weaker and weaker once you are about 50 years old. In turn, your muscles will lack nourishment easily and increase your chances of getting frozen shoulder.
In addition, inhabiting the tropical areas, eating raw and cold food will cause wind, cold, and damp evil to invade the blood and impede the long-term movement of the shoulder. Such internal damage will cause tightening of the muscles and veins of the shoulders, in turn causing blood stasis and frozen shoulder.
Relationship between obesity and Frozen Shoulder
Although there is no direct relationship between obesity and frozen shoulder, the occurrence of frozen shoulder may also be closely related to the stomach. The Yangming Stomach Meridian has multiple meridians that bypass the stomach and can be easily affected by ones’ diet. Patients with frozen shoulder are likely to suffer from “stomach cold”, which is poor digestion, bloating, and frequent hiccups.
Who are more susceptible to Frozen Shoulder?
In tropical areas like Singapore, where the moisture level is high, we are more susceptible to wind, cold, and dampness that invade our shoulders and joints especially when we are tired, sleeping, traumatic or weak. For office workers, most symptoms of frozen shoulder will surface between 4-50 years old, due to prolonged use of aircon and staying in air-conditioned rooms. It is an important taboo of TCM to allow air to blow directly on the shoulders and necks.
Frozen Shoulder TCM Treatments in Singapore
TCM Tuina Massage for Shoulder Pain Relief
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.
TCM Acupuncture for Frozen Shoulder
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.
TCM Cupping Therapy for Frozen Shoulder
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.
TCM Moxibustion for Shoulder Pain
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.
Many patients with frozen shoulder have a history of local strain or dislocation sprain. Such patients are common for patients to have physical weakness and poor blood circulation.
