Hiw to reduce chronic pain in the shoulder from torn rotator cuff - #26718
I have chronic pain from 2 tears in my rotator cuff. My doctor is recommending a shoulder replacement as the tears and damage are severe. Is there an alternative to surgery? I am willing to follow a treatment t plan.
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Doctors’ responses
Hello, As you are saying there are 2 tears and it has already become chronic aane damage is severe,in my openion it is better to follow your surgeon’s openion. Take care. Kind regards.
1) tab Mahavatavidhvasini raha after food with Nirgundi swarasa- 2 times
2) kokilaksha kashaya-20 ml after food 2 times with ashwagnadha ghrita
3 ) tab laksha gugglu-2 tab after food with water
4) gandha taila 10 drop + dhanvantaram tail101- 10 drop before food with warm milk 2 times
HELLO SANSRA,
AGE= 64 CONDITION= chronic shoulder pain due to two severe rotator cuff tears ALLOPATHIC ADVICE= shoulder replacement surgery recommended GOAL= reduce pain, improve function, avoid surgery if possible
DOSHA INVOLVEMENT= predominantly vata with possible kapha if stiffness is severe DHATU INVOLVED= mamsa(muscle), asthi(bone), and snayu (ligaments/tendons) SROTAS AFFECTED= mamsavaha and asthivaha srotas
INTERNALLY TAKE
1) YOGARAJ GUGGULU= 2 tabs twice daily after meals =vata pacifying, reduces stiffness and pain
2) SHALLAKI TABLETS= 500mg twice daily after meals =anti inflammatory
3) DASHMOOLA KASHAYA= 30 ml twice daily before meals mixed with warm water =vata hara, relieves pain and inflammation
4) ASHWAGANDHA CHURNA= 1 tsp twice daily with warm milk in morning and night =balya(strengthening), anti inflammatory
EXTERNAL THERAPIES
1) DAILY OIL MASSAGE= MAHANARAYAN TAILA duration= 20 min =relieves stiffness, nourishes tissues, pacifies vata
2) STEAM THERAPY =after massage with hot towel =reduces pain, stiffness, and enhances circulation
3) COTTON PAD SOAKED IN WARM OIL ON SHOULDER- DHANWANTARAM TAILA =applied for 30 minutes daily =soothes deep tissue inflammation
CAN ALSO GO FOR PANCHAKARMA -Sneha basti=pacifies systemic vata , strengthening joints -Kati basti= deep elation of affected area - Patra pinda sweda=. relieves muscular pain and improves flexibility -NASYA= regulates upper body vata , enhances tissue nourishment
DIET AND LIFESTYLE -warm, unctuous, easy-to-digest food - include ghee, turmeric, ginger, garlic - avoid dry, cold, spicy, or deep fried items - limit cafeine and alcohol
LIFESTYLE -gentle shoulder mobilisation - avoid strain, cold exposure, or jerky movements -sleep early, reduce stress - warm compress when pain flares
-Severe rotator cuff tears may not fully heal with Ayurvedic therapy alone -this protocol aims to reduce pain and improve function, but structural repair may still require surgery if deterioration continues.
THANK YOU
DR. HEMANSHU MEHTA
ACC to ayurveda sev and old rotator cuff tear with muscle and joint damage cannot be repaired , but we can relieve the pain and stiffness through medicine support panchakarma and medicated oil which only will delay your surgery rather not fully replace
In Ayurveda, injuries and chronic pain are often associated with an imbalance of the doshas, particularly Vata. Vata governs movement, circulation, and the nervous system. When Vata is aggravated, it can lead to dryness, stiffness, brittleness, and pain. Rotator cuff tears, especially those that are degenerative, are often viewed as a result of Vata aggravation, which can cause a decrease in the body’s natural lubrication and tissue health.
Potential Ayurvedic Treatments Ayurvedic treatment for rotator cuff injuries aims to reduce pain and inflammation, improve circulation, strengthen muscles and tendons, and restore mobility. A treatment plan would likely involve a combination of therapies, dietary adjustments, and lifestyle modifications.
Panchakarma Therapies: These are detoxification and rejuvenation procedures that can be highly effective. Some of the therapies that may be recommended include:
Abhyanga: A full-body massage with warm, medicated herbal oils (like Mahanarayan Thailam or Bala Ashwagandha oil) to nourish tissues, improve circulation, and relieve stiffness.
Swedana: Herbal steam therapy, often administered after Abhyanga, to open channels, eliminate toxins, and ease muscle tension.
Podi Kizhi / Ela Kizhi: Massaging the affected area with warm poultices (potlis) filled with herbal powders or leaves. This helps reduce pain and inflammation and improve joint flexibility.
Kati Vasti: A localized therapy where a dough ring is placed on the affected area and filled with warm medicated oil. This provides deep, localized relief and helps strengthen muscles.
Basti: Medicated enemas that are considered a core part of Panchakarma for eliminating Vata-related toxins from the body.
Herbal Medicines and External Applications:
Anti-inflammatory herbs: Herbs like Shallaki (Boswellia serrata), Nirgundi (Vitex negundo), and Guggul are known for their anti-inflammatory properties and may be prescribed in oral form.
Topical applications: Massaging the shoulder with specific medicated oils (like Mahanarayan Tailam) or applying pastes made from herbs like fenugreek seeds can help relieve pain and inflammation.
Diet and Lifestyle:
Dietary changes: An Ayurvedic practitioner may recommend a Vata-pacifying diet, which includes warm, nourishing foods and avoids cold, dry, or fermented items. Foods rich in healthy fats (like ghee, sesame oil, and avocados) and anti-inflammatory spices (like turmeric, ginger, and cumin) may be encouraged.
Yoga and exercises: Gentle stretching exercises and specific yoga asanas may be recommended to improve flexibility, strengthen muscles, and restore range of motion. It is crucial to perform these under the guidance of a qualified practitioner to avoid further injury.
Other Non-Surgical Alternatives
In addition to Ayurveda, there are other non-surgical approaches that are sometimes used for severe rotator cuff tears, though their effectiveness can vary depending on the extent of the damage. These include:
Physical Therapy: This is a standard and often effective treatment. A physical therapist can create a personalized exercise plan to strengthen the muscles around the shoulder, improve flexibility, and regain function.
Medications and Injections: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can help with pain and swelling. In some cases, corticosteroid injections may be used to provide temporary pain relief, especially when it interferes with sleep or physical therapy. However, repeated injections can potentially weaken the tendon.
Regenerative Medicine: Newer therapies like Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) therapy and stem cell treatments are being explored as ways to promote tissue healing, though they are still considered emerging options.
Given the severity of the tears and your doctor’s recommendation for surgery, it is essential to have a thorough discussion with your doctor to understand the full scope of your options. An integrated approach, where you combine conventional medicine with complementary therapies, might be the best path forward.
NEED PERSONAL CONSULTATION Please visit nearby ayurvedic physician (BAMS MS SHALYA/panchkarma)For further advice and treatment.
TAKE CARE😊
Start with Abhaguggul 1-0-1 after food with water Laxadi guggul 1-0-1 after food with water Mahavatvidhvansh vati 1-0-1 after food with water Light massage with kshirbala+ mahanarayan oil on shoulder area twice daily Avoid sour fermented foods. Follow up after 1 month
HELLO SANSRA ASPINALLI,
Your rotator cuff is a group of four muscles and tendons that surrounds your shoulder joint, helping you lift and rotate your arm. When these tendons get torn, as in your case (two tears with severe damage), it causes -pain especially with movement or at night -weakness in lifting or rotating the arm -stiffness and limited range of motions -chronic inflammation and tissue degeneration
Because the damage is severe, your doctor suggested a shoulder replacement, This is a major surgery to replace the damaged parts with artificial ones, which can restore function but involves risks and recovery time
AYURVEDIC VIEW OF THE CONDITION Ayurveda sees your problem mainly as an imbalance of Vata dosha, which governs movement and nerve impulses. when vata is disturbed, it causes pain, stiffness, and degeneration. There can also be involvement of pitta dosha (inflammation) and Kapha dosha (stiffness and heaviness)
TREATMENT GOAL -reduce pain and inflammation -restore balance to vata dosha -improve circulation and nourishment of shoulder tissues -enhances muscle strength and joint flexibility -prevent further damage and degeneration -support natural healing and reduce stiffness
EXTERNAL TREATMENT these therapies help soften stiff tissues, reduce pain, and improve circulation to restore movement
1) OIL MASSAGE= WITH KOTTAMCHUKADI TAILA -daily warm oil, apply over shoulder and upper arm, massage gently for 20 min for 1-2 months =reduce inflammation, pacify vata, and nourish joints, reduce pain
2) HOT TOWEL FOMENTATION -after massage =opens channels, melts stiffness, relieves pain
NASYA= instill 2 drops of Anu taila in each nostril daily morning =balance vata and reduce nerve related pain
INTERNAL MEDICATIONS
1) SIMHANADA GUGGULU= 2 tabs twice daily after meals =removes toxins, works as anti-inflammatory, useful in chronic joint condition
2) MAHAYOGARAJ GUGGULU= 1 tab twice daily after meals =especially useful for joint degeneration and severe vata disorder
3) CHOPCHINI GULIKA= 2 tabs twice daily after meals =severe vata disorders with intense joint pain and stiffness
4) RASNA SAPTAKA KASHAYA= 20 ml with warm water before meals twice daily =combats inflammation, improves joint movement
5) ASHWAGANDHA CHURNA= 1 tsp at night with warm milk =strengthens muscles and nerves, reduces stress, balances vata
TREATMENT DURATION= 6-12 weeks continue
DIET TO BE FOLLOWED -always eat warm, freshly cooked food -use digestive spices=ginger, cumin, coriander, black pepper -avoid cold, stale , fermented foods, curd, fried or oily snacks -avoid excessive brinjal and potatoes -include ghee and sesame oil to nourish tissues
INCLUDE -moong dal, barley, millets -garlic (roasted or soups)- excellent for vata -turmeric with black pepper- for inflammation -herbal teas(dry ginger, fennel, cinnamon) -ghee
AVOID -curd especially at night -processed foods -cold beverages -white sugar -heavy pulses like rajma/chana
LIFESTYLE AND YOGA -keep shoulder warm, use warm compresses if stiffness increases, avoid cold drafts -avoid cold air or fans directly on sholuder -avoid sleeping on affected side -keep moving gently- immobility worsens frozen shoulder -avoid activities that strain the shoulder heavy lifting, overhead movements
YOGA FOR SHOULDER HEALTH(do pain free range only) -gentle arm swings -pendulum exercise- lean forward, let arm dangle and swing gently -wall walk- slowly walk fingers up the wall to stretch shoulder -bhujangasana= modified, no pressure on shoulder -marjariasana -do not do forecful postures on suryanamaskar yet
PRANAYAM -Anulom Vilom -bhramari -chandrabhedi -daily practice helps reduce stress and vata aggravation
HOME REMEDIES
1) GARLIC MILK -boil 2 crushed garlic cloves in milk and water (1:3 ratio), reduce to 1 cup
2) CASTOR OIL -1 tsp with warm water at night 2-3 times a week- helps with vata and bowel movement
3) TURMERIC + BLACK PEPPER -take in food or warm water- anti inflammatory
4) METHI SEEDS -soak overnight, chew next morning- pain management
INVESTIGATIONS NEEDED -MRI of the shoulder = to assess the extent of the rotator cuff tears and tissue condition -X-RAY = to evaluate bone changes and joint space
-Ayurveda provides safe, effective, and holistic approach without heavy side effects -recovery takes weeks to months , not days- but steady improvement is expected -start gently, and monitor progress
DO FOLLOW
HOPE THIS MIGHT BE HELPFUL
THANK YOU
DR. MAITRI ACHARYA
For chronic pain arising from significant rotator cuff tears, Ayurveda offers methods aiming to alleviate pain and improve function, although in severe cases, surgery might still be recommended its important to address pain management and support healing as much as possible. Understanding imbalances and your body constitution (prakriti) is vital. You might be experiencing a Vata imbalance, as this dosha is often linked to joint pain and tissue dryness.
Begin with a dietary approach: include warming and nourishing foods. Cooked vegetables like carrots and sweet potatoes, with spices like turmeric, ginger, and cumin can help. They enhance digestive fire (agni) and lubricate the joints. Ghee, known for its soothing effects, can be included in moderate amounts. Avoid raw and cold foods that might aggravate Vata.
For topical application, use herbal oils. Mahanarayan oil or Bala oil can be applied to the shoulder region with gentle massage, enhancing circulation and reducing pain. Massage should be gentle to prevent further tissue damage, preferrably performed by an experienced therapist. Also, consider Shirodhara with warm oil for mental relaxation and systemic Vata pacification.
Therapeutic treatments such as Pinda Sweda (herbal bolus fomentation) may assist by utilizing heat and medicinal herbs to keep the area supple, hence alleviating discomfort. Patra Pottali Sweda, specifically with leaves of calming plants, can provide deeper relief.
Practices like Pranayama and meditation stabilize aggravated Vata and reduce stress, which may exacerbate pain. Physical movement should be limited and supervised by healthcare professional to avoid further injury; yoga postures that do not strain the shoulder might be beneficial.
Consult with an Ayurvedic physician to customize the treatment plan tailored to your prakriti and current condition. While these strategies can support healing and manage pain, they are complementary and a supplement to the advice given by your orthopedic doctor. If the structural integrity of the shoulder is compromised, conventional treatment may be unavoidable. Always prioritize safety and seek comprehensive guidance from specialists.
Chronic pain from a torn rotator cuff can indeed be quite uncomfortable, and surgery like shoulder replacement is often seen as a definitive solution in severe cases. However, exploring alternatives with Siddha-Ayurvedic practices might offer some relief and potentially delay the need for surgical intervention, though it is important to follow your doctor’s guidance.
To address chronic pain and the underlying inflammation, we would focus on balancing the Vata dosha, which, when aggravated, tends to cause pain and degeneration. Consider an external application of warm Mahanarayan oil or Dhanvantaram oil on the shoulder. Gently massage the affected area for about 15 minutes daily; it can help increase circulation and reduce stiffness. Follow-up with a warm compress to amplify the effect.
Internally, herbs like Ashwagandha and Guggul are beneficial in strengthening the tissues and reducing inflammation. You can take 500 mg of Ashwagandha twice a day, in combination with Guggul preparation prescribed by an Ayurvedic practitioner familiar with your health specifics.
Including anti-inflammatory foods such as turmeric, ginger, and fenugreek in your diet can aid in reducing the inflammatory response. Drink a decoction of these herbs once a day. Consuming warm, easily digestible meals can support your Agni, promoting overall health and tissue repair. Mindfully try to avoid cold, dry, and overly processed foods.
Restorative practices such as gentle yoga or Tai Chi can help maintain mobility without straining the shoulder. Specifically, focus on gradual movements that do not exacerbate the pain. Implement Sukshma Vyayam (subtle exercises) tailored to your capability; consult a qualified guide.
If the pain remains unmanageable or worsens, promptly consult your healthcare provider. Remember, these suggestions are complementary and should align with your allopathic treatments to ensure safety and efficacy. Always coordinate with your healthcare team, and reconsider surgery only if deemed necessary after trying these methods.

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