Management of frozen shoulder by leech therapy and adjuvant phytotherapy

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Frozen shoulder is also known as adhesive capsulitis. It is one of the common musculoskeletal disorders. Its common symptoms such as pain and restricted movement of the shoulder joint. Conventional management of frozen shoulder include oral analgesics, range of motion exercises, intra- capsular corticosteroids injection, local application of analgesic oils and ointments but no such effective results have been found yet. As per Ayurveda perspective the condition can be correlated with Avabahuka. Further, Jalaukavacharana (~leech therapy) is one of the ancient para-surgical procedure described in Ayurveda for treatment of variety of such inflammatory condition along with other para surgical procedure and internal herbal drugs. METHODOLOGY: A 52 -year female patient having chief complaints of pain with restricted movement of left shoulder joint, pain in cervical region radiating towards left shoulder joint and mild tingling sensation on lower back region, was clinically diagnosed as case of frozen shoulder. This patient was treated with specific regimen such as Jalaukavacharana (~leech therapy) locallyalong with Ashwagandhaghanvati and Panchatikta ghrita guggulu internally. The parameters observed for prognosis were pain, stiffness, range of movements. Therapeutic evaluation of treatment was done based on improvement in the symptoms.