Acupuncture for Frozen Shoulder: How Does it Help

Frozen shoulder, also known as adhesive capsulitis, can be a debilitating condition that limits your range of motion and causes significant pain. Besides, many individuals also suffer from shoulder blade pain, which can exacerbate discomfort and limit mobility even further. Traditional treatments include physical therapy, medications, and sometimes surgery, but many are turning to alternative or complementary approaches like acupuncture.

So, if you are thinking, can acupuncture help with a frozen shoulder? The answer is yes, it definitely can. This ancient Chinese healing practice has shown promising results in alleviating the symptoms of a frozen shoulder, including related shoulder blade pain, offering a natural and effective way to restore mobility and reduce pain. Here, we have come up with the facts on how acupuncture helps frozen shoulders, diving into its causes, acupuncture trigger points, and the overall benefits of this holistic treatment.

What is a Frozen Shoulder?

Frozen shoulder is a condition in which you feel pain in your shoulder and restricted movement. This pain refrains you from moving your arm, which leads to stiffness or can even cause a loss of mobility. It is also called adhesive capsulitis, in which the capsules of the shoulders become inflamed.

What are the Causes of Frozen Shoulders?

Some major causes of frozen shoulder are –

Prolonged Immobilization

Immobility for an extended period due to any kind of injury or surgery can lead to a frozen shoulder. Lack of movement in the shoulder tightens and thickens the joint capsule, causing stiffness.

Injury or Trauma

Injuries like fractures or rotator cuff tears can lead to inflammation and scar tissue formation, hence resulting in a frozen shoulder.  

Inflammation

Chronic inflammation in the shoulder is also one of the causes that triggers the development of a frozen shoulder.

Medical Conditions

Certain medical conditions, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and thyroid disorders, are linked with an increased risk of developing a frozen shoulder.

Immune System Disorder

Autoimmune conditions that affect the connective tissues may contribute to the onset of a frozen shoulder, as the body's immune system mistakenly attacks the shoulder joint.

Frozen Shoulder Acupuncture Trigger Points 

A trigger point is defined as the hyperirritable point in a band of muscles that causes excruciating pain and irritation. It is often located where the nerves and muscles meet. So, how can you release the trigger point? Through trigger point acupuncture. A professional acupuncturist works on your frozen shoulder acupuncture points and reduces the pain, improving your range of motion. The following trigger points can cause a frozen shoulder –

• Supraspinatus

• Latissimus Dorsi

• Pectoralis Minor

• Trapezius

• Biceps Brachii

• Teres Major

• Subscapularis

• Pectoralis Major

• Deltoid

• Infraspinatus

How Does Acupuncture Help Frozen Shoulder?

There are multiple benefits of acupuncture, but here we will talk about how will it particularly help you with the condition of a frozen shoulder–

Reduce Inflammation

The first benefit of acupuncture for frozen shoulders is reduced inflammation. When you go for acupuncture therapy, it stimulates the release of anti-inflammatory substances and vascular factors to regulate the inflammation and, hence, alleviate pain.

Less Pain

How to unfreeze a frozen shoulder? You need to take help of the acupuncture therapy. It targets specific acupuncture points to block the pain signals and promotes the release of happy hormones – endorphins.

Decrease Shoulder Stiffness

When you take the assistance of acupuncture professionals, they do their best to improve the flexibility of your shoulder joint. The blood flow velocity in your veins and arteries increases; as a result, the local microcirculation improves. Also, stronger circulation further leads to improvement in nutrient delivery and reduces stiffness in your shoulder.

Enhanced Blood Circulation

Yet another benefit of acupuncture is the improved blood flow to the affected area, which delivers oxygen and nutrients to the shoulder joint.

Relaxation of Muscle

Tight muscles and muscle spasms could be the leading factors for a frozen shoulder. Thus, you can relax your tightened muscles with acupuncture and relieve muscle spasms.

How Many Sessions Does a Patient Need?

The number of sessions of acupuncture for a frozen shoulder depends on the severity of the condition. Generally, expert acupuncturists advise having one or two sessions per week for 4 weeks as a starting point to experience a significant improvement. 

At RMT Movement: Acupuncture in Brampton, our professionals specialize in providing personalized acupuncture treatments tailored to each patient's unique needs. Our experienced practitioners will assess your condition and develop a treatment plan designed to alleviate your symptoms and restore your shoulder's mobility. Visit our website to learn more.

Final Thoughts

Believe it or not, a frozen shoulder is a painful condition affecting mobility. Overusing or underusing the shoulder muscles can trigger this condition. Treat the condition with the help of a professional acupuncturist at RMT Movement, who will deal with the frozen shoulder acupuncture points and advise you on the best treatment approach available.

The best part is – we offer direct billing services (In which our team will bill your insurance company directly) to help you experience hassle-free access to healthcare. So, if you are struggling with a frozen shoulder, consider incorporating acupuncture into your treatment plan. For more information or to book a session, don't hesitate to get in touch with us at RMT Movement – we're here to help you on your journey to recovery.