why frozen shoulder is common in diabetic patients

Why Frozen Shoulder Is Common in Diabetic Patients?

A frozen shoulder is a common complication seen in patients with diabetes. Frozen shoulder raises important questions about the disease. Diabetes management involves well-known health complications, including unstable blood sugar levels and increased cardiovascular risk. However, a much less well-known problem is frozen shoulder, which affects around 20% of diabetics and significantly lowers their quality of life. Examining the association between frozen shoulders and diabetes might highlight why diabetes has a trend towards frozen shoulders in patients and how a total approach, for instance, Ayurveda, has the potential for treatment and help those with frozen shoulders whom it gets diagnosed. It has been gaining recognition worldwide, particularly for ayurvedic treatment in Kerala, India.

 

What is a Frozen Shoulder?

 Frozen shoulder refers to a condition marked by discomfort, tightness, and a decrease in the range of motion within the shoulder joint. It passes through three stages with characteristic symptoms of each stage.

  1. Freezing Stage (6–9 months)

  • Pain begins slowly
  • Difficulty in movement of the shoulder increases
  • Pain typically worsens at night, making it difficult to sleep

 

  1. Frozen Stage (4–12 months)

  • Stiffness is increased
  • Pain may decrease, but the shoulder cannot be moved
  • Daily activities, such as dressing or lifting, become problematic

 

  1. Thawing Stage (6–24 months)

  • Gradual shoulder movement
  • Recovery of normal functionality gradually

 

The pace of these stages can be painful, even for diabetic patients who may be dealing with many other health problems. Now lets discuss why frozen shoulder is common in diabetic patients.

 

Diabetes And Frozen Shoulder

 The researchers are perplexed over the connection between diabetes and frozen shoulder, also known as adhesive capsulitis. According to recent studies, patients with diabetes are three to 10 times more likely to have frozen shoulder than non-diabetic patients. This kind of relationship raises the following questions: is it the physiological changes brought about by diabetes or the inflammatory changes in the connective tissue that are held as the cause.

Musculoskeletal disorders, including frozen shoulder, are much more common in diabetic patients. In fact, research indicates that patients with diabetes are three to ten times more likely to develop frozen shoulder than the general population. This is a unique relationship between the two conditions.

 It is also referred to as adhesive capsulitis medically, characterized by inflammation and thickening of the shoulder capsule leading to restriction in movements. It usually passes through three stages: freezing, where pain and stiffness increase; frozen, in which movements are restricted and can even lessen in pain; and thawing, in which the return to mobility is gradual.

 The first significant factor in the development of frozen shoulder is diabetes. Elevated blood sugar in diabetic patients leads to various physiological changes that cause the risk factors of the condition. Glycation, one of these, involves binding excess sugar in the blood with proteins, causing them to be stiff and not very flexible. In the case of frozen shoulder, glycation affects the collagen in the shoulder joint, which leads to the thickening of the capsule and its reduced elasticity.

 Another hallmark of diabetes that causes frozen shoulder is chronic low-grade inflammation. It interferes with connective tissues, such as the shoulder capsule, causing pain, swelling, and stiffness. Poor circulation and nerve damage secondary to diabetes worsen the condition by impeding tissue healing along with muscle weakness in the shoulder.

Thus, understanding why frozen shoulder is common in diabetic patients is very critical in terms of early diagnosis and intervention. Very often, diabetic patients remain unobserved when frozen shoulder manifests until it badly affects their lives. Shoulder motion can become the source of difficult dressing, picking objects from some place, and even sleeping.

 Understanding why this disorder helps healthcare practitioners and patients take preventive measures to prevent its occurrence and progression. Frequent shoulder exercises and proper posture can help prevent the onset of frozen shoulder, while diabetes management, including controlled blood sugar levels, medicine, and food, is also a crucial preventive approach.

 

Why Diabetic Patients Develop Frozen Shoulders

 

  1. Glycation Process

In diabetic patients, high levels of blood sugar lead to the process of glycation, which is when sugar molecules bond to the proteins in the body. The process makes the collagen of the shoulder stiffer and less flexible. With time, the thickened capsule around the shoulder becomes inflamed and causes movement to be restricted.

  1. Chronic Inflammation

Diabetes has been associated with peripheral tissues’ chronic low-grade inflammation. Such inflammation would extend to the connective tissues, the shoulder capsule included, hence it would promote the onset of adhesive capsulitis.

  1. Circulatory Disorders

Diabetes results in poor blood supply to the tissues, where oxygen and nutrients are kept at a minimum in reaching the cells. Poor circulation also limits the body’s ability to cure or keep the shoulder joint healthy and, therefore, makes it worse.

  1. Nerve Damage

A very common complication of diabetes is diabetic neuropathy affecting nerves that regulate shoulder movements, leading to the progression of muscle weakness, which continues the cycle of causing stiffness and pain.

Understanding why frozen shoulder is common in diabetic patients highlights the importance of prevention and proactive management.

 

Conclusion

 Ayurveda also provides various treatment modalities exclusively for the diabetic frozen shoulder. Those treatment modalities are used not only to manage the shoulder disorder but also in managing the diabetes-induced metabolic disturbance. The approach is especially beneficial for managing ayurvedic treatment for diabetes in Kerala, as it integrates remedies that target the root cause of the condition.

If you suffer from diabetes and have shoulder pain or stiffness, then it is time to take the issue up with a medical professional as well as a practitioner of Ayurveda. They can lead you down a path of recovery where you will be dealing with the root cause and hopefully permanent relief.

Better results for the study involving diabetes and frozen shoulder can also be seen in combining conventional treatments with traditional medicines. Proper early diagnosis, effective diabetic management, and dedication to wholesome healing would truly make a remarkable difference in someone’s life quality. Now you know why frozen shoulders are common in diabetic patients.

Frozen shoulders won’t need to hold your life back any longer. With proper care and commitment, you may regain your full mobility and comfort.

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Kizhi

Vatha Kizhi

Indication
Arthritis, rheumatic joint pains and swellings, sprains, etc.

Usage
The bundles, warmed in medicated oil or neem oil, are applied all over the body/part till the desired perspiration is attained. The treatment is carried out for around 45 to 60 minutes.

Ingredients
Sathahwa(Anethum sowa) – 20gm
Arka(Calotropus gigantic – 16gm
Eranda(Ricinus cummunis) – 20gm
Punarnava(Boerhavia diffusa)- 16gm
Shadee(Zingiber Officinale) – 16gm
Devadaroo (Cedrus deodar) – 16gm

Snana shampoo powder

Snana

(Shampoo Powder)

Indication
Cleanses and conditions the hair, and also protects from dandruff and hair fall.

Usage
Mix 2 tbs of powder with water to make a thick paste. Apply it on the wet hair and scalp, soak well and then wash it off.

Ingredients
Emblica officialis – 10gm
Hebiscus rosa – 10gm
Albizzia lebbeck – 10gm
Phaseolus aureus – 10gm
Sapindus trifoliatus – 10gm

Sougandikam flower face pack

Sumukha

(Facial Cleanser)

Indication
Sumukam nourishes and cleans the facial skin and keeps it soft and smooth.

Usage
Mix 1tsp powder with rose water to make a thick paste. Apply on the face and neck in a circular motion. Wash with lukewarm water before it gets dry.

Ingredients
Azadirachta indica – 12.5gm
Phaseolus aureus – 12.5gm
Vetveria zizanoides – 12.5gm
Rosa centifolia – 12.5gm

Sougandikam flower face pack

Sougandikam

(Aurvedic Flower Face Pack)

Indication
It nourishes and rejuvenates the facial skin. Removes pimples, wrinkles, scars, black spots, and black heads. Enhances facial nourishment, promotes new collagen formation. Removes facial tension and stress. Restores normal health of the facial skin.

Usage
Mix 2 spoon powder with milk for dry skin and with rose water OR fresh juices for oily skin to make a smooth paste. Apply a thick layer evenly on the face and neck. Keep in wet state for 20–30 minute and then wash off with warm water, and pat dry.

Key ingredients
Contains ayurvedic flowers of
Michelia champaca – 10gm
Nelumbo nucifera – 10gm
Mimusops elaegi – 10gm
Jasminum officinale – 10gm
Rosa centifolia – 10gm

Sinoil anti allergic

Sinoil

(Anti-allergic)

Indication
Sinusitis, Tonsillitis, Otorrhoea, Allergic sneezing, chronic rhinitis, Bronchitis, migraine headache.

Usage
Gentle massage on head 10 minutes before bath.

Ingredients
Aengle marmelos – 250mg
Ocimum sanctum – 250mg
Vitex nigundo – 250mg
Zingiber officinale – 250mg
Plumbago zeylanica – 20mg
Embelia ribes – 20mg
Boswellia serrata – 20mg
Piper longum – 20mg
Moringa ptrygosperma – 20mg
Coconut Oil – 1ml

Safroil face massage oil

Safroil

(Face Massage Oil)

Indication
Saffron is regarded as the ‘queen’ in beauty treatment.
Safroil restores the natural glow and moisture of the facial skin. It helps to protect face from pimples and black heads. It removes the wrinkles, scars and gives a glowing beauty and freshness to the face. Removes facial tension. Enhances fairness.

Usage
Massage on face and neck daily in a circular motion.

Ingredients
Curcuma longa – 500mg
Aloe barbadensis – 500mg
Crocus sativus – 0.25mg
Rubia cordifolia – 1.65mg
Nelumbo nucifera – 1.10mg
Caesalpina sappan – 1.1mg
Rosa centifolia – 1.4mg
Mesua ferrea – 1.2 mg
Hemidesmus indicus – 0.9 mg
Vetiveria zizanioides – 1.35mg
Cow milk – 4ml
Seas mum oil – 1ml

Raksha body massage oil

Raksha

(Body Massage Oil)

Indication
‘Raksha’ – means one that protects. ‘Raksha’ includes natural roots blended with herbs like Sida, Aloe, vetivera, etc. General body massage oil helps to remove body fatigue, excess fat, skin dryness, stimulate nerves and remove bad odour and nourish the skin.

Usage
Massage by self or others and take warm water bath.

Ingredients
Sida cordifolia – 100mg
Aloe vera – 100mg
Withania somnifera – 16mg
Cyperus rotundus – 1.55mg
Hemidesmus indicus – 0.85mg
Rubia cordifolia – 1.45mg
Vetiveria zizanoides – 12.5mg
Cedrus deadar – 1.75mg
Pluchea lanceolata – 15.5mg
Seasame oil – 1ml

Svaztha - Ayurveda Retreat

Prasuya

(Natal Care Oil)

By tradition the women of Kerala have taken more care in their natal period as a protective measure to their pregnancy and health. Specially prepared medicated oils are used for it.

Usage & Indication
As a pre-natal care gently massage partially OR the whole body from six months of pregnancy to get relief from cramp pains, lumbago, varicose vein and stretch marks. And as post-natal care-use from the third day of the delivery onwards (in caesarean, use only after healing) for the pro-delivery fatigue. It also helps in the contraction of the uterus and the vagina. After usage take warm water bath.

Key ingredients
Ficus racemosa – 50gm
Strobilanthes heynianus – 25gm
Aegle marmelos – 25gm
Curcurma longa – 2gm
Rubia cordifolia – 2gm
Cynodon dactylon – 2gm
Anethum sowa – 2gm
Lepidium sativum – 2gm
Sesamum oil – 100ml

Neelini hair pack

Neelini

(Hair Pack)

Indication
Helps to prevent hair fall, dandruff and itching of the scalp. It stimulates thick and strong hair growth. Prevents scalp from bacterial and fungal attacks.

Usage
Mix 2 tbs of powder with water to make a thick paste. Apply a thick layer evenly on the hair and scalp. Keep in wet state for 20–30 minute and wash off with warm water, and then pat dry. Daily usage helps in making dry rough hair to tangle free soft and shiny hair.

Ingredients
Eclipta alba – 2.5gm
Emblica officianalis – 2gm
Psoralea corylifolia – 1.5gm
Terminalia belerica – 1.5gm
Nymbphasa stellata – 1.5gm
Azadirachta indica – 1gm

Neelini natural hair oil

Neelini

(Natural Hair Oil)

Indication
This natural hair nourisher enriched with Aloe and Hebiscus helps to prevent hair fall and dandruff. It stimulates thick and strong hair growth. It nourishes hair with natural proteins, and prevents bacterial and fungal attacks.

Usage
Massage 5ml of oil on scalp and hair from root to end before or after shower. Daily usage helps in making dry rough hair to tangle free soft and shiny hair. In just 6 month of regular use you will experience only normalized hair fall.

Ingredients
Indigofera tinctoria – 400mg
Aloe vera – 400mg
Hebiscus rosa – 100mg
Eclipta alba – 650mg
Emblica officinalis – 350mg
Azadirachta indica – 100mg
Cow milk – 1ml
Seasamum oil – 1ml
Pongamia pinnata – 3.75mg
Psoralea corylifolia – 3.75mg
Terminalia belerica – 5mg

Nalpamaradi baby massage oil

Nalpamaradi

(Baby Massage Oil)

Indication
Used to nourish and moisturise the baby’s skin. Protects from skin infections and skin dryness. Removes bad odour, gives glowing beauty and freshness, and also enhances fairness.

Usage
Massage on body and after 10-20 minutes give a bath with warm water.

Ingredients
Ficus bengalensis – 5gm
Ficus racemosa – 5gm
Ficus religiosa – 5gm
Ficus lacor – 5gm
Curcuma longa – 0.25gm
Leptadena reticulate – 0.25gm
Azadirachta indica – 0.25gm
Withania sominifera – 0.25gm
Ellettaria cardamomum – 0.25gm
Sesamum oil – 10ml
Cow milk – 20ml

Svaztha - Ayurveda Retreat

Brami

(Head Massage Oil)

Indication
Brahmi itself is a famous brain tonic.
Brami Head Massage Oil helps to reduce stress and strain, insomnia, headache, etc. Improves function of brain nerves. Provides mental serenity and calmness, and concentration of mind. Relaxes body and mind. Also helpful in insomnia and pre-menstrual head ache

Usage
Gently massage 5-10ml oil on scalp 10 minutes before wash.
For sleeplessness apply 15 drops on pate, and 15 drops on palms and feet before going to bed. You will be blessed with easy sleep immediately.

Ingredients
Eblica officinalis – 20mg
Bacopa monnieri – 1gm
Valeriana wallichii – 17.5mg
Withania somnifera – 15mg
Clitoria ternatea – 17.5gm
Celastrus panicuatus – 15mg
Centalla asistata – 15mg
Seas mum oil – 1ml

Sri gopala erotic massage oil

Sree Gopala

(Erotic Massage Oil)

Indication
‘Aswan’ is the rare formulation of herbal extract, which is used for erectile dysfunction in men.

Usage
Daily massage once on the penis and pubic till the oil is absorbed fully.

Ingredients
Phaseolus mungo – 50gm
Leptadena reticulate – 50gm
Asparagus recemosus – 50gm
Benincosa hispida – 50gm
Withania somnifera – 2gm
Myristica fragrans – 2gm
Gossypium herbaceum – 2gm
Celastrus paniculatus – 2gm
Solanum indicum – 2gm
Cow milk – 400ml
Sesamum oil – 100ml

Arthroil pain massage oil

Arthroil​

(Pain Massage Oil)

Indication
Rheumatic arthritis, osteo arthritis, spondylitis, sprain, body aches Joints pain, back pain etc.

Usage
Gently massage on affected area.

Ingredients
Tinospora cordifolia – 20gm
Ricinus cummunis – 20gm
Sida cordifolia – 20gm
Vitex nigundo – 20gm
Pluchea lanceolata – 20gm
Cissus quandrangularis – 5gm
Asparagus recemosus – 5gm
Tamarindus indica – 5gm
Moringa pterygosperma – 5gm
Allium sativum – 2.5gm
Anethum sowa – 2.5gm
Zingiber Officinale – 2.5gm
Boswellia serrata – 2.5gm
Sesamum oil – 100ml
Eucalyptus oil – 1ml