How Can Acupuncture Help Frozen Shoulder?
Are you experiencing shoulder pain? Pain, soreness and/or numbness of muscles, tendons and joints will affect practically everyone at some point in their lives. Whether the pain is acute, chronic or recurrent, acupuncture may be helpful in pain management. If you’re looking for alternative options in helping your joint pain, read on.
Frozen shoulder (also known as adhesive capsulitis) is a condition characterized by a loss of motion in the shoulder joint. It usually results from shrinking and scarring of the capsular tissue in the shoulder joint with subsequent shoulder pain and loss of movement. The pain may last from weeks to many months and the loss of movement can last months to years. An injury, lack of use, diabetes, thyroid problems and heart or lung conditions can all contribute to frozen shoulder. The cause, however, is usually unknown. Not knowing the cause or what to do about it can be very disheartening to anybody suffering with frozen shoulder, or any type of joint pain for that matter.
The shoulder joint becomes increasingly stiff and tight and literally solidifies in place. This often makes it nearly impossible to carry out simple day-to-day movements and activities. Shoulder motions or positions that are usually painful include activities that raise the arm to the side or rotate the arm outward such as reaching overhead to wash or comb one’s hair, reaching into the back seat of a car, trying to take a wallet out of a back pocket, trying to open a heavy door or driving a car.
Suggestions can be made to identify your own particular set of aggravating activities and to find other ways to do them. For example, when trying to reach overhead, stop doing the movement, use the other arm, or use a step stool or ladder.
The goal of treatment is to restore joint movement and decrease shoulder pain. Acupuncture points are utilized to relax the muscles which will allow for increased movement and decrease pain. Chinese massage techniques are also utilized to achieve the same goal. In recent studies, acupuncture has been shown to have a positive effect in treatment of adhesive capsulitis by restoring joint movement and decreasing joint pain.
In my practice, I integrate east and west medicine to obtain a diagnosis and treatment plan. Lifestyle recommendations are made where applicable. I invite you to explore this safe and effective method of pain management.
