There are so many benefits to trying acupuncture for your shoulder pain. By seeing a chiropractor who is also certified in acupuncture, you can treat a wide range of health issues without the side effects of prescription medication. And this includes your shoulder pain. Read below to find out about West Palm Beach Chiropractor: 3 Common Shoulder Conditions Acupuncture Can Treat.
Shoulder Pain and Acupuncture
Firstly, shoulder pain encompasses both joint and muscular pain. Most commonly, shoulder pain is caused by periarthritis of the scapula and humerus, shoulder fasciitis, rotator cuff injuries, and acromial impingement syndrome.
Secondly, acupuncture can be used alone or in conjunction with chiropractic care to manage pain. Indeed, it is an ideal adjunct to chiropractic care. Acupuncture is a centuries-old healing procedure which focuses on the integrity of bodily systems and nonspecific conditions. It is a form of holistic healing. And it can be used to treat arthritis, tendinitis, GI disorders, anxiety, musculoskeletal conditions, and acute/ chronic pain among others.
Thirdly, Acupuncture can help reduce inflammation in the body. It can help with a wide range of inflammatory conditions. This includes acute inflammation from sports injuries or falls, to autoimmune disorders, and chronic inflammatory conditions. Scientists are researching how acupuncture reduces inflammation in the body. Simply put, acupuncture releases muscle tightness, improves circulation, and activates your natural opioids that help reduce pain. Acupuncture is said to alter physiological processes in the body via the brain and nervous system.
1) Acupuncture is Effective for a Rotator cuff sprain and strain
The rotator cuff is a group of muscles (supraspinatus, infraspinatus, teres minor, subscapularis) that hold the shoulder joint in place and allow you to move your shoulder. And a sprain is a sudden or violent twisting injury of a joint with stretching or tearing of ligaments. Symptoms can be joint swelling, bruising, and instability. And a strain occurs when a muscle is overstretched or torn. This usually occurs as a result of fatigue, overuse, or improper use. Furthermore, damage to your attached tendons can also occur with a strain. Symptoms include muscle pain, spasms, weakness, and cramping. Moreover, both a strain and/or sprain can cause pain, tenderness, and limited motion in the affected area.
One study assessed Acupuncture-movement therapy for a lumbar sprain. Typically, this combines traditional needle insertion with active or passive physical movement while the needles are left in the body. The conclusion was that Acupuncture-movement therapy is effective for treating acute lumbar sprain. Moreover this included relief of persistent pain and improvement of lumbar mobility. Therefore, Movement, lumbar exercise during acupuncture, enhances the effect of acupuncture. The study began by saying there are studies on the effectiveness of acupuncture for an acute lumbar sprain. And this study focused on the improvement of lumbar via Acupuncture-Movement therapy.
2) Acupuncture is Effective for Shoulder impingement syndrome
A shoulder impingement syndrome is defined as a compromise of the space between the coracoacromial arch (portion of top outer edge of shoulder blade) and the proximal (situated nearer the center of the body) humerus (upper arm bone). So several structures may get impinged (pinched): The biceps tendon, superior labrum (cartilage in shoulder joint), supraspinatus (1 of the rotator cuff muscles) tendon, and the subacromial bursa (a fluid-filled sac for countering friction at a joint ) are all vulnerable to being impinged.
Causes for shoulder impingement include both structural and functional reasons:
Structural reasons:
-variant acromial types that are hooked or lengthened (top portion of shoulder blade developed/grew abnormal)
-degenerative (wear and tear arthritic) changes on the undersurface of the acromion
-an inflammatory process in the subacromial space (which could be due to i.e. bursitis, rotator cuff tear, or/and all of the above)
Functional reasons:
-abnormal position of your spine or scapula (ie. thoracic kyphosis)
-tightness of your shoulder capsule (membrane around shoulder joint),
-decrease in the space between the coracoaromial arch and proximal humerus due to past injuries
-abnormal motion due to nerve related problems (i.e. nerve palsy)
Research on Acupuncture:
A study was done to “decrease the intensity of short- and mid-term pain in the injured shoulder by means of acupuncture” (2). This study concluded acupuncture to treat impingement syndrome was effective. Additionally, acupuncture was found to be a safe. Acupuncture was deemed to be a reliable option for shoulder impingement therapies.
3) Acupuncture is Effective for Thoracic Outlet Syndrome (TOS)
The term “thoracic outlet” is the area between the neck and shoulder, over the top of the thorax (chest), and under the clavicle (collar bone). It is a space in the lower neck between the thorax and axilla (armpit) through which the subclavian vein, subclavian artery, and brachial plexus (network of nerves that provides movement and feeling to the shoulder, arm and hand) travel.
Compression at the thoracic outlet can involve the brachial plexus, subclavian artery, or subclavian vein at various sites as they travel downward into the arm. Several common sites are possible for compression: cervical rib, scalene triangle, Subcoracoid Space, Costoclavicular Space.
Symptoms of TOS:
You may have diffuse (spread out) arm symptoms, including numbness and tingling. Often, you may describe the pain taking a path down the inside of your arm to the little and ring fingers. Moreover, when you do any overhead activity it is often made worse. For example, overhead throwing, serving a tennis ball, and painting a ceiling may exacerbate symptoms. Frequently, you may have weakness radiating from the neck and shoulder and extending into the arm and hand. Even driving and typing may sometimes be difficult.
Causes of TOS:
There are many causes of Thoracic Outlet Syndrome. Firstly, compression may be due to physical trauma such as from a car accident or a sports injury. Secondly, anatomical defects from birth may show symptoms later in life. Thirdly, tumors that press on nerves, though rare, are possible. Fourthly, the changes of pregnancy (e.g. postural, hormonal, swelling) may lead to Thoracic Outlet Syndrome. Lastly, poor posture such as a forward head carriage and rounded shoulders can lead to compression. And repetitive arm and shoulder movements and activity, such as from playing certain sports also are a potential culprit. These overuse injuries can lead to swelling and fibrosis causing compression of the nerves and vessels.
Nerve conduction studies or imaging (x-ray) studies to confirm or rule out a diagnosis of Thoracic Outlet Syndrome maybe recommended.
Research on Acupuncture:
A study conducted in South Korea was based on a case of a 29-year-old male patient. They were diagnosed with thoracic outlet syndrome and admitted into the hospital. The patient had left shoulder pain and arm numbness. The pain was worse if it had become cold. Treatment consisted of acupuncture, herbal medicine and physical therapy. After 3 weeks of this integrated approach, the patient found relief. This case suggested an integrated approach which included acupuncture resulted in an excellent outcome for TOS.
West Palm Beach Chiropractor: 3 Common Shoulder Conditions Acupuncture Can Treat
Meiri Chiropractic in West Palm Beach offers Acupuncture for the shoulder and many other ailments. Schedule an appointment for chiropractic, acupuncture or both by calling 561-253-8984 today.
References:
1) A Case Report of Thoracic Outlet Syndrome Improved by Integrated Korean Medical Treatment
https://www.e-jar.org/journal/view.html?uid=2144&vmd=Full
2). Acupuncture treatment of shoulder impingement syndrome: A randomized controlled trial
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27062955/
3) Acupuncture-movement therapy for acute lumbar sprain: a randomized controlled clinical trial, Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0254627216300036