Ayurvedic Management of Avabahuka (Frozen Shoulder)

In today's fast-paced world, where technological advancements abound, certain health issues, while not life-threatening, can severely impact daily life.One such ailment of significant concern is Avabahuka, an ancient term from Ayurveda describing a condition affecting the shoulder joint, also known as Amsa Sandhi.Avabahuka, mentioned by Acharya Sushruta as one of the 80 types of Vatavyadhis (diseases caused by Vata imbalance), involves the constriction of Vata at the base of the shoulder joint.The symptoms of Avabahuka closely resemble those of Adhesive Capsulitis, commonly referred to as frozen shoulder in modern medical terminology.Frozen shoulder is a musculoskeletal disorder characterized by the painful restriction of both active and passive shoulder movements.Patients often experience stiffness, pain, and reduced range of motion (ROM) in the affected shoulder, significantly impacting their daily activities and quality of life.In modern medicine, treatment options for a frozen shoulder typically include nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, corticosteroid injections, physical therapy, and in severe cases, surgical intervention.A male patient aged 42 years came with a complaint of pain and difficulty in movement of the right hand.He was unable to move his right hand from the shoulder joint due to pain and stiffness for 3 months.So the patient was treated by using Mahanarana tail for abhyanga for the whole body, followed by Nadi sweda, Trayodashanga Guggulu, and Dashmool kwath.The treatment strategy was effective in alleviating stiffness and pain by focusing on the patient's symptoms and indicators.