Shoulder pain is one of the most common musculoskeletal presentations we see at Rozelle Acupuncture. The shoulder is a complex joint with a wide range of motion, and that complexity makes it vulnerable to injury, overuse, and degeneration.
Conditions we commonly treat include: frozen shoulder (adhesive capsulitis), rotator cuff injuries and tendinopathies, shoulder impingement syndrome, bursitis, bicipital tendinitis, AC joint injuries, and post-surgical shoulder rehabilitation.
Acupuncture is commonly used for shoulder pain, and the shoulder was one of the conditions included in the large Vickers meta-analysis of acupuncture for chronic pain. The mechanisms usually proposed are endorphin release and other changes in pain signalling, reduced local inflammation, increased local circulation, and release of muscular tension and trigger points that contribute to restricted movement.
In Chinese Medicine, shoulder pain is often understood in terms of 'Bi syndrome', an obstruction of the free flow of Qi and Blood through the shoulder channels. Our treatment uses both local acupuncture points around the shoulder joint and distal points on the arm, hand, and lower body to address both the local condition and its underlying pattern.
We frequently combine acupuncture with tuina massage, cupping, and moxibustion for shoulder pain. In Chinese Medicine terms these adjuncts move local stagnation and warm the joint. Practically, most patients find they loosen the area and make it more comfortable to move.
Some patients report improvement within a course of treatment. We will assess your condition thoroughly at your first appointment and provide an honest prognosis and treatment plan.