Frozen shoulder

Frozen shoulder passes through freezing, frozen, and thawing phases over 12–24 months without intervention. In TCM the joint is understood as Cold and Damp obstructing the channels around the shoulder, often in a patient with underlying deficiency. Early treatment substantially shortens the arc of the condition.

Acupuncture at the affected shoulder combined with moxibustion warms the joint and moves stagnation. Tui Na re-mobilizes the capsule as pain decreases. Herbal formulas may be added when systemic Cold or Blood stasis is prominent. Consistency matters more than intensity — twice-weekly sessions for the first month typically yield the fastest turnaround.