Beyond Acupuncture: What Other TCM Treatments Are There for "Frozen Shoulder"? What Can You Do at Home?

Written By：C.M.P. Melody 林医师

For the frustrating problem of "frozen shoulder," TCM has a complete set of therapies beyond acupuncture to tackle it. These methods can help you relieve pain, increase your range of motion, and promote recovery. Even better, some of them can be done at home (though it's always best to get professional guidance first).

1️⃣ Chinese Herbal Medicine: Healing from Within

TCM focuses on syndrome differentiation to create a custom herbal formula based on the stage of your frozen shoulder, the nature of your pain, and your overall body constitution (for example, whether you tend to feel cold or hot, or have other underlying health issues).

TCM believes that frozen shoulder is often related to an invasion of "pathogenic factors" like wind, cold, and dampness, as well as deficiencies in qi and blood, which lead to blocked meridians and stagnant blood flow.

Herbal formulas must be prescribed by a professional TCM practitioner after a diagnosis. Never prepare and take your own herbs.

2️⃣ Tui Na Massage: Releasing Adhesions and Improving Circulation

Tui Na massage is a very direct and effective TCM treatment for frozen shoulder. Through specialized techniques applied to the shoulder and related acupoints, it can release adhesions, relieve muscle spasms, and improve joint mobility.

👉🏻 Professional Tui Na: 

A TCM practitioner or therapist will use techniques like kneading, pressing, pushing, grasping, rolling, and rocking to deeply loosen the joint capsule, muscles, and ligaments around the shoulder. This is sometimes combined with passive movements to help release adhesions.

👉🏻 At-Home Massage (Gentle Focus):

Massage the Shoulder Muscles: 

Use your hand to gently knead the stiff and painful muscles around the shoulder, moving from the neck down to the arm. The pressure should be gentle—just enough to feel comfortable.

Press on Painful Spots: 

Find the most tender spots on your shoulder (Ashi points). Use your thumb or fingertips to gently press and rub in a circular motion for 1-2 minutes at a time.

👉🏻 Common Acupoints to Massage:

• Jianyu: The indentation below the highest point of your shoulder when you lift your arm.

• Jianliao: About one finger-width behind the Jianyu point.

• Jianzhen: The inner side of your arm, behind the armpit.

• Tianzong: The central indentation in your shoulder blade.

• Hegu: On the back of your hand, in the web between your thumb and index finger (can help relieve shoulder pain).

⚠️ Important Precautions:

• Use Gentle Pressure: Especially during the painful stage, avoid aggressive massage, as it can worsen inflammation.

• Start Gradually: Don't massage for too long at first. Slowly increase the duration over time.

• Seek Guidance: It's best to have a TCM practitioner or physiotherapist teach you the correct at-home massage techniques.

3️⃣ Moxibustion: Warming Channels and Relieving Pain

Moxibustion involves burning compressed mugwort to create a warming sensation that stimulates specific acupoints or affected areas. It helps to warm and unblock meridians, dispel cold and dampness, invigorate circulation, relieve pain, and nourish Yang qi. It is especially suitable for those with frozen shoulder who are sensitive to cold, whose pain worsens in cold weather, or who feel cold in their affected limb.

4️⃣ Cupping Therapy: Clearing Stagnation and Relieving Pain

Cupping uses suction to cause localized blood congestion and stagnation, which helps to improve circulation, dispel wind and dampness, and reduce swelling and pain.

5️⃣ Herbal Dietary Therapy: Daily Nourishment for Recovery

Dietary therapy is an excellent way to support your body's recovery on a daily basis.

Examples of Herbal Recipes:

🔸Turmeric Chicken Soup: 

Stew chicken with turmeric and ginger to warm the channels, dispel cold, and improve circulation to relieve pain.

🔸Coix Seed and Poria Porridge: 

This helps to expel dampness and strengthen the spleen, making it suitable for those with excessive dampness in their body.

6️⃣ Rehabilitation Exercises: The Key to "Thawing"!

At-Home Exercises (Start slowly, and avoid sharp, intense pain):

🔸 Pendulum Swings: 

Lean forward and let your affected arm hang straight down. Gently swing it forward and back, side to side, or in small circles, like a pendulum.

🔸 Finger-Walking up the Wall: 

Stand facing a wall and slowly "walk" your fingers up the wall, gradually raising your arm as high as you comfortably can.

🔸 Towel Stretch: 

Use a towel. Hold one end with your unaffected hand, pulling it up and over your shoulder, while your affected hand holds the other end and pulls down your back, mimicking a back-scrubbing motion.

⚠️ Important Precautions:

Start Gradually: 

Don't rush the process. Exercise for a short period, just until you feel a gentle stretch or a dull ache. Avoid pushing into severe pain.

Be Consistent: 

Exercising for short, frequent periods throughout the day is more effective than one long, intense session.

Get Professional Guidance: 

It's highly recommended to have a physiotherapist or rehabilitation specialist teach you the correct exercises.

Remember: Patience, consistency, and proper guidance are the keys to overcoming frozen shoulder!