Shoulder Pain
You’re not alone if you or someone you know suffers from shoulder pain. We expect a lot from our shoulders. This joint has the largest range of motion and yet it must be strong and stable enough to allow us to drive vehicles, play sports and in some cases, move heavy objects. Shoulder pain is the second most common condition that I treat, with back pain being the foremost.
There are over 19 muscles that can affect the shoulder. We tend to think of the shoulder as the joint between the arm bone and the shoulder blade, but there are other joints engaged. The collar bone articulates with both the scapula and the sternum in the centre of your chest. It is probably not surprising that there are so many people suffering rotator cuff damage, frozen shoulder (adhesive capsulitis) and arthritis.
Frozen shoulder is also called the ‘fifty-year-old shoulder’. Historically, most patients who have shoulder pain are in their fifties. However in clinical practice, people in their forties commonly have shoulder pain. A frozen shoulder can develop over time. People with frozen shoulder generally have pain and heavy sensations in the shoulder radiating to neck and upper arm. The pain can also get worse at night. As the shoulder pain get worse, the limitations of the arm movements become more obvious. A frozen shoulder has very little range of motion and can be quit painful. Middle aged women often develop frozen shoulders.
Rotator cuff injuries are also very common. Four muscles and their tendons comprise the rotator cuff. They initiate all the movements of the shoulder and they stabilize the joint. These muscles often develop micro tears or worse, resulting in inflammation, pain and/or weakness.
Shoulder Pain
Many people who have shoulder pain also experience neck pain (link: http://adelacupuncture.com.au/2018/01/acupuncture-for-neck-pain/)
Overwork, stress, and strain are the some of the most frequent causes of chronic neck pain. This is one of the most common areas to store stress- as soon as one feels stressed the pain begins. Acupuncture is wonderful for cutting off this cycle of stress and pain.
In acupuncture, Qi, the energy of the body, needs to be strong to support healthy relaxed muscles. If you do not have enough energy to support the muscles, they tense up as a result. Another cause of pain is Qi stagnation, a slowing of the circulation of the energy. Normally, the energy of the body flows smoothly. Stagnation may develop from an injury, wear and tear, or chronic stress. This is why it is easy to develop pain during periods of high stress.
Acupuncture for treating shoulder pain
Acupuncture is perfect for treating shoulder pain. As well as using acupuncture treatments I also recommend stretches and exercises. Good advice is not to pay no attention to shoulder pain. If you are experiencing pain, weakness or restriction in your range of motion please make an appointment to see me now.
In a study of 20,827 patients across 39 clinical trials, scientific researchers found out that patients with chronic shoulder pain, headaches and arthritis were relieved by acupuncture. The effectiveness of acupuncture lasted over one year with only a 15% decrease after one year. Another research also discovered that the analgesic effects of acupuncture are built by sessions. Patients who have had an increased number of acupuncture treatments have significant pain relieve. The data also indicates that manual acupuncture showed equivalent effectiveness as electro-acupuncture.
Shoulder Pain
My method to acupuncture considers both your constitutional state of health as well as muscle tension and development of trigger points in the areas.
ONLY ONE TREATMENT FEE is charged for several health issues. I CARE FOR MY CLIENTS. Your pain on your back, neck, shoulder or even stress can be treated at the same time but only ONE SESSION FEE is charged. Apart from treating client’s physical issues, I CARE about their conditions and the outcomes of my treatment.
I look forward to seeing you soon.
Julie