Impact of Integrated Yoga and Naturopathy Intervention in the Management of Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy and Periarthritis of the Shoulder: A Case Report

Diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) and periarthritis of the shoulder (PAS) are common complications in long-standing diabetes, both contributing significantly to pain, disability, and reduced quality of life. DPN, characterized by sensory, motor, and autonomic disturbances, affects up to 50%, while PAS affects 20% of those with diabetes. In this case, the integrated yoga and naturopathy (IYN) intervention has demonstrated a favorable therapeutic effect in patients with DPN and PAS. A 60-year-old woman had complaints of DPN and PAS of the left side along with neck pain radiating to the left upper limb, limited shoulder mobility, burning and pricking sensations in both feet, and depression. After inadequate results from conventional treatment, the patient sought care through a 10-day IYN intervention followed by a 3-month follow-up. Compared with the baseline, the post-assessment showed a marked reduction in the glycated hemoglobin, homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance, fasting insulin, fasting blood sugar, and reduction in scores of visual analog scales for pain, Shoulder Pain and Disability Index, Neck Disability Index, and Patient Health Questionnaire-9, and increase in the range of motion. This case demonstrates that IYN intervention are effective in addressing both physical and mental challenges in patients with DPN and PAS. However, as this is a single case report, more studies with a larger sample size are recommended to validate the findings of the study.