Periarthritis of the shoulder, also known as "shoulder periarthritis" and "fifty-year shoulder," or "leak shoulder wind," is a disease characterized by chronic degenerative pathological changes in the soft tissues around the shoulder joint and the joint capsule. The symptoms of this condition include early episodic pain in the shoulder joint that gradually worsens, is lighter during the day and heavier at night, and can interfere with sleep, making it difficult to sleep on the affected side. Active and passive movements of the shoulder joint in all directions are restricted. Incorrect sleeping posture is the most important cause of this disease. It is often triggered by weather changes and overexertion, with symptoms being lighter during the day and worse at night. Traditional Chinese Medicine believes that this condition is mostly caused by the decline of qi and blood after middle age, allowing rheumatic and cold evils to invade, and is also related to the obstruction of meridians and the inability of qi and blood to flow smoothly after previous sprains.
Moxibustion can be used to treat this condition, with moxibustion applied based on syndrome differentiation. During the treatment period, it is important to strengthen the movement of the shoulder joint, but take care not to sprain or catch a cold.
It is recommended to perform moxibustion once a day, targeting 2 to 3 acupoints each time, with each acupoint being treated for 30 to 40 minutes. Rotate the points treated, with a 10-day period constituting one course of treatment, and then rest for 2 to 3 days before continuing with the next course.
(If time permits and there is a need, more acupoints can be treated with moxibustion. The specific duration should be adjusted according to one's own physical needs.)
Dietary therapy recipes:
(1) Lotus and Astragalus Porridge
【Ingredients】Lotus seeds, 50 grams, polished glutinous rice, 50 grams, raw Astragalus membranaceus, 50 grams, Goji berries, 15 grams, rock sugar to taste.
【Method】Soak lotus seeds in warm water, remove the skin, wash the polished glutinous rice, raw Astragalus membranaceus, and Goji berries clean. Put all the ingredients into a pot, add an appropriate amount of water, bring to a boil over high heat, then simmer until cooked. Add rock sugar to taste and let it melt.
【Efficacy】Benefits qi and nourishes blood, promotes circulation and relieves pain.
(2) Hawthorn and Salvia Porridge
【Ingredients】Hawthorn slices, 50 grams, polished glutinous rice, 50 grams, Salvia miltiorrhiza, 15 grams, rock sugar to taste.
【Method】Clean the hawthorn slices, polished glutinous rice, and Salvia miltiorrhiza. First, decoct Salvia miltiorrhiza and remove the residue to obtain the juice, then add hawthorn slices, polished glutinous rice, and an appropriate amount of water. Bring to a boil over high heat, simmer into porridge over low heat, and finally add rock sugar to taste.
【Efficacy】Promotes blood circulation and removes blood stasis, produces fluid and aids digestion. Not suitable for those with ulcers or excessive stomach acid.