A frozen shoulder is painful and stiff, and slowly loses its movement, until reaching up or behind your back becomes hard. At Elixir Ayurveda, our doctors combine warm oil and herbal compress treatments with daily guided movement, to ease the pain and help the shoulder loosen.
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About frozen shoulder
In a frozen shoulder (adhesive capsulitis), the tissue around the shoulder joint becomes inflamed, then thick and tight. It often moves through three stages: a painful "freezing" stage, a stiff "frozen" stage, and a slow "thawing" stage. Without care it can take a year or more to settle. It's more common between 40 and 60, in women, and in people with diabetes or thyroid problems.
In Ayurveda it is called Avabahuka and is seen as Vata drying and stiffening the shoulder, so treatment brings warmth, oil and gentle movement.
See a doctor promptly if the pain followed a fall or injury, or if you have chest pain, breathlessness or pain spreading to the jaw. Shoulder pain can sometimes come from the heart.
How we treat it
Your doctor plans treatment after examining your shoulder and any scans. It usually includes:
- Kizhi (herbal compress): warm leaf or powder bundles, then Njavarakizhi (medicated rice), over the shoulder and upper back
- Abhyanga and Pizhichil: warm medicated oil therapies to soften the stiff tissues
- Nasya: herbal oil drops through the nose, classically used in Avabahuka
- Guided movement every day: gentle stretches that increase step by step, done after the oil treatments, when the shoulder is warm
- Herbal medicines and a Vata-calming diet; if you have diabetes, we work around your sugar control
How long, and what it costs
| Stay | Suits | Price (one person) |
|---|---|---|
| 14 nights | Early or moderate stiffness | ₹95,200 with 20% off (regular ₹1,19,000) |
| 21 nights | A long-standing, very stiff shoulder | ₹1,42,800 with 20% off (regular ₹1,78,500) |
Treatments, doctor, room and meals are included. Airport pickup and drop are included for stays of 14 nights or more. Two people sharing: ₹10,000 per night with the offer (regular ₹12,500). The offer applies to stays booked until 30 September 2027.
Your doctor
Dr. S. Vijayakumar, BAMS: 27 years of Ayurvedic practice, including 18 years in Europe. Meet Dr. Vijayakumar
Questions
Can Ayurveda help a frozen shoulder? Many patients find the pain eases and their range of movement improves with daily treatment and exercise. How far it improves depends on the stage and how long you've had it. We'll give you an honest view after your consultation.
I have diabetes. Can I still have treatment? Usually yes. Diabetes is common with frozen shoulder. Bring your recent reports and medicines, and we'll plan the diet and treatments around your sugar control.
Will it hurt? The oil and compress treatments are soothing. The stretches can be uncomfortable, but we increase them slowly and never force the shoulder.
Can I keep taking my medicines? Keep taking your prescribed medicines. Tell our doctor what you take, and agree any change with your own doctor.
What do I do at home afterwards? Keeping the shoulder moving is the most important part. You'll leave with a short daily exercise plan.