Frozen and Dislocated Shoulders

A Medical Talk by Anjali Paul

Anatomy of the Shoulder

The shoulder is a complex joint with 5

functional sub-joints. It is highly
mobile rather than stable.

It consists of a shallow socket and

large ball, which provides all-around
mobility. Stability is provided by a
rotator cuff consisting of tendons and
soft tissue going around the joint.

Problems of the shoulder tend to

restrict its mobility and all overhead
activities become difficult.
 Frozen Shoulder
• People aged 40+ are prone to this condition.
• As the name suggests, the shoulder joint becomes totally stiff.
• Common causes are degenerative changes, calcific deposits around
the shoulder, diabetes mellitus, Ischaemic heart disease, injuries and
fractures, or it can follow episodes of tendinitis around the shoulder.
• SYMPTOMS are mild to severe pain and increasing stiffness which
leads to the inability to perform everyday actions like combing the
hair, lifting things above the head.
• The pathology is adhesions within the joint which prove to be a
mechanical block to mo
• Medication in any ‘pathy such as allopathy, homeopathy etc can
reduce inflammation but can never dissolve the adhesions.
How Yoga Can Help
• These asanas are helpful in
Obviously in the case of Diabetes or
Ischaemic Heart Disease, a yogic lifestyle helping to relieve stiffness
in the shoulders:
incorporating a healthy balanced diet and a
positive, peaceful attitude helps a great deal.

Massage is of no value here.

• Simple Head and Neck
Exercises
Short wave Diathermy, Ultrasonics, etc. are
usually needed. Local heat or ice could
provide some relief.

However, exercise is paramount, as this • Gomukhasana

gradually elongates and breaks down the
adhesions. In the beginning it may be painful
but the patient has to persist. The pain • Vakrasana (either standing
cannot go away as long as the stiffness
remains. The exercises have to be continued
for 2 -3 months otherwise a recurrence
or lying down)
occurs. Supervision by a physiotherapist is
vital, as it is possible to sometimes raise the
hand and arm without moving the shoulder
• Konasana
joint, which does not help at all.
• Yastikasana
 Dislocation of the Shoulder
• This is a medical emergency and calls for
emergency treatment.
• Proper and complete immobilization for 6 weeks is
vital.
• Self treatment MUST be avoided.
• Inadequate immobilization must be avoided.
• Recurrent dislocations require surgical treatment.
• Medicines cannot cure the effects of recurrent
dislocations of the shoulder.
Dislocation of The Shoulder:
How Yoga Can Help.
• Mindfulness Is Yoga.
It is vital to observe mindfulness in order to
avoid dislocation of the shoulder.

Always be present in your body. Observe

• Treat your body with full
when you are going beyond your limits,
and stop yourself in time. awareness. Be aware of
Handle children carefully. NEVER lift a child
up by holding one hand or one arm. NEVER
your limits, and do not
go beyond them.
swing a child around by holding one hand
or one arm. This is dangerous. This can
cause the child’s shoulder to dislocate, and
once this happens, it will always be slightly
weaker and prone to more dislocations.
This may result in the child eventually • Handle others,
having to have surgery to alleviate this
condition. You could damage the child for
life. especially children,
The correct way to left up children is to
hold them under their arms (close to their
gently and mindfully.
armpits), with both of your hands. This
protects them from harm.
How Yoga Helps to Develop
Mindfulness and Body
Awareness through
Jnana Bhav.
• Here are some asanas which
help to develop Jnana Bhav
Jnana Bhav is body awareness and self- while simultaneously exercising
awareness. It is a feeling, an attitude and a
state of mind. the shoulders:
It develops co-ordination, clarity, balance
and synchronisation. One gains knowledge
• Yastikasana
of one’s body.
• Talasana 1,2,3 & 4
It is the feeling of being fully present in
one’s own body and being completely aware
of one’s body and the environment in which • Parvatasana
it is functioning.

When Jnana Bhav is highly developed, one is

• Konasana 1 & 2
fully conscious and completely mindful –
which reduces the likelihood of causing or • Gomukhasana
experiencing accidental injuries to oneself
and others.
• Prevention is better than cure!
And this, of course, will help to prevent
accidental dislocation of the shoulder!
Thank you!