Effect of Ḥijāma Nāriyya ma’ Dalk (Fire cupping with massage) along with Unani formulations in a patient of Waja‘al-Mafāṣil -i-Katif (Frozen shoulder): A case report

Abstract

Adhesive shoulder capsulitis, also referred to as Arthrofibrosis, or “Frozen shoulder”, is a prevalent disease that leads to significant morbidity. Despite medical advancements, the definition, diagnosis, pathophysiology, and effective treatments remain unclear. It is known as Waja‘al-Mafāṣil-i-Katif in the Unani System of Medicine. This condition involves persistent inflammation that results in pain, limited movement, and rigidity in the shoulder joint. Here we present the case of a 42-year-old nondiabetic female, who showed the features of Adhesive shoulder capsulitis in her left shoulder joint, after a history of mild trauma to the shoulder. In this study, the effectiveness of Unani formulations given for 2 weeks and Ḥijāma Nāriyya ma’ Dalk (Fire cupping with massage), done for 5 days using Roghan Bābūna was observed. The study showed significant improvement in the VAS score and ROM of the patient.