Can acupuncture help with shoulder pain?

Understanding Shoulder Joint and Shoulder Pain: Causes, Symptoms, and Acupuncture Treatment

The Shoulder Joint: A Complex and Mobile Structure

The shoulder joint is the most mobile joint in the body, comprising bones, cartilage, muscles, tendons, and ligaments. It allows for a wide range of movements but is prone to pain and limited mobility, especially with age. Soft tissue injuries are common and can lead to varying degrees of pain and restricted motion, affecting people of all ages.

Causes of Shoulder Pain:

Rotator Cuff Injuries: Tears or strains due to overuse, trauma, or aging.

Tendinitis: Inflammation from repetitive overhead movements.

Frozen Shoulder: Stiffness and pain, often linked to diabetes, injury, or immobility.

Arthritis: Osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis causing pain and stiffness.

Bursitis: Inflammation of the fluid sacs cushioning the shoulder.

Symptoms of Shoulder Pain:

Pain, limited motion, swelling, weakness, and stiffness.

Frozen shoulder involves thickening and stiffening of shoulder tissues, leading to pain and restricted movement, affecting about 2% of adults, especially around age 50.

Acupuncture can effectively relieve shoulder pain, improve movement, and restore function.

Key Muscles Involved in Shoulder Pain

The shoulder's flexibility makes it prone to injuries. Key muscles include:

Rotator Cuff Muscles: Supraspinatus, Infraspinatus, Teres Minor, Subscapularis.

Deltoid: Main muscle for lifting the arm.

Trapezius: Supports shoulder and upper back.

Rhomboids: Retract the scapula for stability.

Biceps Brachii: Assists in shoulder flexion.

Latissimus Dorsi: Aids in shoulder movement.