Acupuncture works for a variety of issues involving the shoulder, and is a natural pain-relieving treatment that aids the whole body as well as the shoulder. Being that the shoulder joint is the most mobile joint in the body, having it out of commission can put a huge damper on day to day activities and life in general. Something as simple as putting your shirt on can become a laborious chore. Since it is so mobile, and those tendons surrounding the joint degenerate with age, this also leaves the most room for strain or injury. Luckily, acupuncture treatment for shoulder pain has been around for thousands of years, and delivers much needed results without the side effects of conventional medicine.
Understanding Shoulder Pain
Shoulder pain is the third most common musculoskeletal issue seen by primary care providers, and this is no surprise based on what the shoulder actually does. The shoulder allows for a very wide range of motion, but since this is the case, there is also decreased stability both surrounding the joint and the joint itself. We utilize our shoulders every day, and repetitively throughout the day. Not only do our shoulder tendons and soft tissues degenerate as we get older, but if you are someone who needs to utilize the shoulder joint more than normal for sports or work, you are more prone to injury.
If you have shoulder pain for one reason or another, you’re not alone. Anywhere between 16% and 70% of people have shoulder pain at some point in their life. The shoulder consists of 3 bones which include the clavicle, the scapula, and the humerus along with 2 joints called the glenohumeral joint and the acromioclavicular joint.
Shoulder Anatomy:
- Deltoid – biggest and strongest muscle in the shoulder
- Labrum – ring of cartilage that surrounds the glenoid
- Bicep tendon – responsible for allowing the elbow to bend and the forearm to rotate
The amount of pain and the severity depends on where your shoulder pain is, and how it was injured.
Potential Symptoms of Shoulder Pain:
- Pain in the front or back of the shoulder joint
- Tingling or numbness
- Fatigue of the shoulder and upper arm
- Decreased range of motion
- Pain when moving the shoulder
- Pain when resting on the affected shoulder at night
- Sharp painful catches when raising the arm.
In addition to physical symptoms of shoulder pain, it can cause other problems such as sleep issues, decreased activity due to decreased range of motion, possible financial stress depending on the severity and not being able to work, and feelings of frustration and helplessness from the consistent pain. As far as the cause, as with most conditions, there are many different reasons that the shoulder could be causing an issue. That being said, pinpointing the exact cause can be quite difficult.
Potential Causes for Shoulder Pain:
- Tendonitis
- Frozen shoulder
- Bursitis
- Arthritis/osteoarthritis
- Impingement
- Labral tears
- Torn rotator cuff
- Separated shoulder
- Dislocated shoulder
- Pinched nerve in the neck which can radiate down to the shoulder
- Strained muscles
For the most part, shoulder pain is usually gradual, but regardless of when or how it shows, people now are looking for more natural alternatives or to avoid surgery. While there is a time and a place for conventional medicine, acupuncture works for treating shoulder pain, and has for thousands of years.
Acupuncture for Shoulder Pain
Acupuncture treatment for shoulder pain conditions is very effective at decreasing inflammation through an increase in blood circulation, increasing range of motion, relieving pain, and releasing tight muscles. Acupuncture has become a go-to treatment option for patients experiencing pain especially in the last decade. The difference with acupuncture treatment is that it looks at the root of the shoulder pain issue, not just the broad symptoms as in conventional medicine.
Acupuncture Works for Shoulder Pain By:
- Increased circulation – vital for healing, and acupuncture helps to deliver nutrients and oxygen to aid in recovery.
- Reduce pain – acupuncture releases the body’s natural pain killers known as endorphins to decrease pain.
- Stress relief – it is well known that pain is often connected to increased stress levels, and acupuncture treatment encourages relaxation which ultimately impacts the healing process in a positive way.
- Decrease inflammation – acupuncture has anti-inflammatory properties which is often the major cause for your shoulder pain.
- Relax the muscles – tense muscles can aggravate your shoulder pain as well as decrease mobility. Acupuncture relaxes the shoulder muscles to ease pain and increase range of motion.
Many times, the reason that conventional medicine is unsuccessful for shoulder pain patients is that each individual has a unique set of root issues, and that is not what is treated. In conventional medicine, the broad spectrum of symptoms are addressed, and not your unique body makeup, which is really what is needed for successful treatment.
Your Licensed Acupuncturist Will Treat Shoulder Pain By:
- Looking at your whole picture of medical history and underlying issues from every angle
- The intensity and nature of your shoulder pain
- Where the limitations of movement are
- Pinpoint the combination of factors which underlies the shoulder pain
In addition to your shoulder pain, acupuncture will treat underlying issues going on in tandem such as muscle imbalances, poor posture, and anxiety all in one treatment just to name a few. Ultimately, your licensed acupuncturist will do everything possible to curate an individualized treatment plan to hopefully east the pain without the need for conventional medicine.
Acupuncturist Shoulder Pain Treatment Goals:
- Restoring range of motion
- Decreasing or stopping pain
- Decreasing inflammation
- Restoring strength
To accomplish this, licensed acupuncturists are well educated in the anatomy of your shoulder joint as well as the rest of the body to safely and effectively curate a treatment plan of acupuncture points for your individual needs. Even with shoulder conditions such as tears or dislocations where conventional medicine is necessary, acupuncture treatment is still beneficial and should be utilized for pain management and to boost conventional medicine treatment.
After verifying the cause of your shoulder pain through Traditional Chinese Medicine diagnoses, the acupuncturist will treat the pain with acupuncture points, and potentially herbs, gua sha, or cupping. These are all additional helpful modalities within an acupuncture practice.
These modalities help with:
- Blood flow
- Increased movement
- Decreased pain and inflammation
- Increased flow of Qi (pronounced chee, is what is known in TCM as life force or vital energy, which supports and circulates the function of each organ in the body along with the blood, and helps maintain homeostasis.)
Our bodies were designed to move, and we all don’t want something like shoulder pain to get in the way of that, even though the sheer design of the shoulder puts us at risk of developing pain. Acupuncturists aim to utilize their expertise in both eastern and western medicine in order to provide a compelling alternative for your shoulder pain.
It is vital to understand that just like conventional medicine, acupuncture treatment is not a quick fix that will most often not be resolved in one session, and does take some time just like anything else. If you are experiencing shoulder pain of any kind and conventional medicine has not provided you with the relief you are seeking, acupuncture is a safe an effective treatment that may be your answer. With the proper acupuncturist, acupuncture can be a fundamental part of your journey to healing and a pain-free shoulder.