New research shows acupuncture an effective treatment for frozen shoulder. Also referred to as adhesive capsulitis, frozen shoulder symptoms include shoulder pain and range of motion loss in the rotator cuff area. Arm movement is painful and frozen shoulder often interferes with sleep. In a controlled frozen shoulder acupuncture research study conducted in Guangdong, China, researchers found that acupuncture relieved pain and restored range of motion in the shoulder.
Frozen Shoulder Acupuncture Research – The Study
Researchers accessed the benefits of electroacupuncture for the treatment of frozen shoulder. It achieved significant positive patient outcomes.
Electroacupuncture reduced pain and improved shoulder range of motion for patients with frozen shoulder. In this protocolized study, VAS (Visual Analogue Scale) and ROM (Range Of Motion) scores both improved. VAS is a measurement instrument that measures pain intensity levels in patients.
Patients were evaluated before and after the treatments with VAS and ROM tests. The acupuncture group showed significant VAS and ROM improvements.
The Techniques
The electroacupuncture used in this frozen shoulder acupuncture study involved the application of 2 Hz disperse-dense wave stimulation to local and distal acupuncture points affecting the shoulder.
Participants
The study included 90 patients at the acupuncture department of Guangdong 999 Brain Hospital. All patients were diagnosed with frozen shoulder between October 2014 and August 2016. They were randomly divided into testing groups.
Acupuncture Points Used
Acupuncture points used in the study were from the text “Acupuncture and Moxibustion Therapeutics” (China Press of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 9th edition). The Chinese medicine treatment principles were to dredge the channels, improve qi and blood circulation, and soothe the sinews.
GB34 was selected to benefit the sinew, tendons, and to stop pain. LI15 (Jianyu), TB14 (Jianliao), SI9 (Jianzhen), and Jianqian (extra point) were selected as local points to improve qi and blood circulation to relieve pain. ST38 (Tiaokou) and BL57 (Chengshan) were chosen to smooth qi circulation in the Taiyang and Yangming channels.
Sterile, single-use needles were used in the treatments. After obtaining a qi sensation (called deqi), the acupuncture needles were connected to an electroacupuncture device. A disperse-dense wave (2 Hz baseline) was applied with an intensity level set to patient tolerance levels or until muscle movement was observed. The needles were retained for 30 minutes. Treatments were given every two days for a total of 10 sessions.
Results
The results concluded that acupuncture was an important therapeutic option for patients with frozen shoulder. It provided significant improvements for patients.
Similar Findings
Mo et al. (Zhejiang Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine) had similar findings. In their investigation, 157 patients with shoulder arthritis and frozen shoulder were randomly divided into 2 groups. Group 1 had 79 patients and received abdominal acupuncture. Group 2 had 78 patients that received local acupuncture at the site of pain on the shoulder.
Acupuncture treatment was given 3 times a week, for a total of 10 treatments. Patients receiving the local acupuncture points had a 71.8% total effectiveness rate. Patients receiving abdominal acupuncture had a 92.4% effectiveness rate.
Conclusions
This frozen shoulder acupuncture research demonstrated acupuncture’s proven ability to stop pain and restore range of motion for frozen shoulder patients. Acupuncture provides anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and recuperative effective actions.
Frozen Shoulder Treatment at Raleigh Acupuncture
We treat frozen shoulder with great success in our clinic. This frozen shoulder acupuncture research validates our own experiences.
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References
Liu CR, Chi PP, Zhang XF, Mo HF, Zeng XL, Huang GS. Effect of Extracorporeal Shock Wave plus Electroacupuncture on Pain and Shoulder Range of Motion in Periarthritis of Shoulder [J]. Shanghai Journal of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, 2017, 36(5).
Mariotto S, de Prati AC, Cavalieri E, Amelio E, Marlinghaus E, Suzuki H. Extracorporeal shock wave therapy in inflammatory diseases: Molecular mechanism that triggers anti-inflammatory action. Curr Med Chem. 2009;16:2366–72.
Mo X. F., L. H. Xuan, Y. B. Jin, X. H. Cheng, and B. Y. Yu. “[Efficacy observation on abdominal acupuncture for adhesion-stage shoulder periarthritis].” Zhongguo zhen jiu= Chinese acupuncture & moxibustion 33, no. 9 (2013): 847-849. Department of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Zhejiang Hospital of TCM, Hangzhou, China.
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Tennis player with shoulder pain. Getting worse to the point of freezing up. Went to acupuncture. Starting easing immediately. Now back to tennis full force with no shoulder pain. I recommend this practice.
After shoulder surgery following a car accident, my shoulder was always stiff and achy. PT helped, but I suffered every day from shoulder pain. I went to Raleigh Acupuncture and they really helped. I did four treatments and my shoulder pain was completely gone.
I’m a golfer and started having trouble with my left shoulder over a year ago. My doctor wanted to do surgery, but I wanted to try other alternatives first. So I tried acupuncture. The folks at Raleigh Acupuncture were very professional, reasonably priced and did excellent work. They resolved my shoulder pain completely. I use them now for other pains in my post-50 body! Thank you Raleigh Acupuncture.
