Shoulder pain can be caused by an acute injury or a chronic condition like frozen shoulder, arthritis, fibromyalgia, or rotator cuff tendinitis. It is a common reason people seek acupuncture treatments.
Acupuncture helps relieve pain, reduce inflammation, release tight muscles, and increase range of motion for a variety of shoulder problems. Other modalities like electroacupuncture, cupping, gua sha, moxibustion, heat lamp therapy, and herbal liniments are often used in conjunction with acupuncture for shoulder pain.
What does the Shoulder Joint involve?
The shoulder joint is very complex since it is a ball and socket joint. It is made up of two joints. The first is formed by the humerus and the scapula which connects at the socket called the glenohumeral joint. The second is formed by the acromion (the tip of the scapula) and the clavicle and makes up the acromioclavicular or “AC” joint.
There are numerous muscles, tendons, and ligaments that help stabilise the shoulder. The main muscle in the shoulder join is called the Deltoids, or simply known as the ‘delts’. It is important to assess the entire shoulder joint to look for any structural or muscular imbalances that may contribute to the shoulder pain.
Shoulder problems are very common and depending on the type of issue, may develop over a long period of time, or appear suddenly with or without a clear cause. Shoulder pain can affect anyone regardless of age, although those over the age of 50 have a higher chance of shoulder issues.
Causes of Shoulder Pain
The main causes of Shoulder Pain involve the following:
Trauma
Inflammation (3 types: Bursitis, Tendonitis, Synovitis)
Frozen Shoulder
Nerve Infringement
Rotator Cuff Injuries
Trauma: Trauma to the shoulder can be due to direct injuries that can occur in different places. From direct contact in sport, car accidents or indirectly as a secondary result of an accidental fall that causes the arm and shoulder to land in a compromised position. This can result in:
Inflammation
Shoulder dislocations
Upper arm fractures
Rotator Cuff Injuries or Tears
Inflammation in and around the shoulder can lead to an array of shoulder pains and injuries. Common areas of inflammation include:
Bursitis: Bursitis is an inflammation or irritation of the small, fluid-filled ‘cushions’ that protect a tendon where it touches a bone. These cushions are called bursae (or bursa if there’s just one). It absorbs impact when under strain and reduces friction between tissues.
Tendonitis: Shoulder tendonitis is an inflammation of your rotator cuff or biceps tendon. It has a limited blood supply meaning once it is damaged it is difficult to deliver nutrients from blood to the area for repair. Wear and tear due to repetitive use can cause tendons to become inflamed.
Synovitis: Synovitis of the shoulder is an inflammatory condition of the synovial fluid present within the shoulder joint. Synovial Fluid is a lubricant - think of the WD40 that oils the joining, allowing bones to glide smoothly next to each other. Synovitis if left untreated can lead to osteo/rheumatoid arthritis.
Frozen Shoulder: Also known as Adhesive Capullitis or Shoulder Periarthritis, results from the gradual loss of movement and fibrosis in the shoulder joint. This is accompanied with stiffness that gradually progresses and significant range of movements restriction.
Nerve impingement: Can be a result of when the neck and shoulder tissue matter swell or become inflamed. This leads to nerve compression, causing discomfort and can result in a shooting-like pain, with numbness, pins and needles.
Rotator Cuff Injuries: The Rotator Cuff muscles stabilise the shoulder and allow mobility to complete daily tasks like putting on a shirt or reaching up high. Injuries and tears of the Rotator Cuff are very common, especially in sport and can lead to further shoulder related complications.
How can Acupuncture help with Shoulder Pain?
Acupuncture points are inserted along specific trigger points, channels and meridians in the body to help shoulder pain. Some points can be placed local on the shoulder, upper arm and neck region, while other points can be placed anywhere else on the body. These are known as distal or mirroring points, which correspond to the shoulder and its respective channels. Combining both local and using other acupuncture therapies throughout the treatment plan tend to have a longer lasting and systemic effect. For example, we may place needles on the lower leg, abdomen, scalp and ear to treat shoulder pain as well. The 2 main benefits include firstly having a systemic treatment option viable for the patient that treats the shoulder pain from its roots and secondly to allow the patient to move the shoulder and see the immediate effects of acupuncture during the treatment.
The principle of acupuncture is to increase blood flow towards the shoulder. Blood contains nutrients, oxygen, anti-pathogenic properties and neurotransmitters such as:
Dopamine - pleasure, satisfaction and motivation
Norepinephrine - boosts arousal and alertness
Serotonin - regulates mood, sleep and libido
Cortisol - reduces 'flight or flight' response
Melatonin - reduces insomnia and anxiety
Endorphins - boosts natural pain killer
GABA - promotes relaxation and rest
ACTH - reduces stress hormones
Acetylcholine - manages pain
Substance P - aids digestion
In pain management, the needles stimulate the body to reduce inflammation and nourish the surrounding tissues of the shoulder.
What about Cupping Therapy?
You may have also seen on our social media and also in modern therapies for athletic injuries and pain management that we do cupping as well. Cupping therapy is similar to massage therapy in its effect - expect massage puts pressure in, cupping take pressure out!
Cupping stretches out connective tissue of muscles and tendons to help gather, mobilise and dispel interstitial fluid that has stagnated resulting from inflammation. The cup are placed along the shoulder joint, upper arm, upper back and neck to help improve blood circulation. In a nutshell - old, toxic blood is brought to the surface of the skin which is then eliminated with new and stronger blood flow.
How do we assist shoulder pain at AcuLife?
Initially we assess the range of motion and ask a series of questions relating to:
When the pain started in the shoulder?
History of shoulder injuries?
Anything to improve or worsen the pain?
Any medication use?
Current lifestyle and circumstances?
Any supporting diagnostic tests (X-ray, MRI, ultrasound, or blood tests).
How many Acupuncture sessions for Shoulder Pain are recommended?
During assessment we shall discuss whether the pain is urgent or not. Urgency is dependent on whether it significantly impacts your quality of life (sleep, work, emotions, mental state). If urgent and highly impacts quality of life – our practitioners will share the best treatment plan to get on top of the pain ASAP!
It is vital to discuss your main goals and health complaints with our health practitioners and ask all your relevant questions. Only then, our experienced practitioner can help further understand your situation and can they apply the best treatment protocol.
To learn what we can do for you, Contact our team today👇
AcuLife
(02) 4620 9798
5 Stewart St, Harrington Park
Bookings: www.aculife.com.au