Can You Get Acupuncture For Frozen Shoulder?

Frozen shoulder is known as adhesive capsulitis. It is a painful condition in which one loses some mobility in the shoulder joint. In many instances, it develops gradually and results in restricting activities in daily life to some great extent. Many opt for different treatments such as physical therapy, medications, and alternative therapies like acupuncture. In this blog, we will discuss the effectiveness of acupuncture for frozen shoulders, how it works, and what to expect from the treatment.

Understanding Frozen Shoulder

The exact cause is unknown, but for a frozen shoulder, the connective tissue surrounding the shoulder joint thickens and tightens to cause stiffness and pain. It can occur following an injury or surgery or simply due to prolonged immobility. Symptoms usually develop in three stages:

• Freezing Stage: Pain starts gradually, and a notable range of motion loss occurs.
• Frozen Stage: Pain may improve, but the shoulder remains stiff and challenging to move about.”
• Thawing Stage: The gradual return of motion and relief from pain. Relief may take up to months or years.

Though physical therapy and corticosteroid injections are often used for treatments, many people turn to acupuncture as a complementary approach.

What is Acupuncture?

Acupuncture is a Chinese medicine practice wherein needles are used on specific points in the body to promote energy, or “qi” (pronounced “chee”). This method will help heal, soothe pain, and advance the patient’s general well-being. Many believe that acupuncture has been around for many years and, most recently, has proven to be an effective treatment for many health conditions, including various types of pain.

How Does Acupuncture Work for Frozen Shoulder?

The benefits of acupuncture for frozen shoulder can be brought about in several ways:

• Pain Relief: Acupuncture is known to make the endorphin system and other natural pain relievers in the bodywork. This mechanism helps relieve pain experienced in frozen shoulders, thus enhancing the ease of rehabilitation exercises.
• Increased Blood Flow: Needling can promote blood flow to the affected area. Increased blood flow promotes healing due to oxygenation and the delivery of other nutrients to tissues surrounding the shoulder joint.
• Less Inflammation: Considering that acupuncture is known to suppress inflammatory responses within the shoulder joint, reduced inflammation could bring about pain and swelling reduction. This may allow for easy movement and rehabilitation.
• Relaxation and Stress Reduction: The process of acupuncture can help cause relaxation and reduce the levels of stress a patient with chronic pain will feel. A relaxed state also facilitates enhancing physical therapy.

What to Expect During Acupuncture Treatment

If you are considering undergoing acupuncture for your frozen shoulder, you will find it helpful to know what the process involves:

• Initial Consultation: Your practitioner will begin by conducting an introductory assessment, interviewing you regarding your medical history and current complaints, examining your shoulder, and assessing your range of motion to make a treatment plan for you.
• Treatment Sessions: The sessions of acupuncture may vary between 30 minutes to an hour. When you take acupuncture, you lie comfortably on a table or chair as the acupuncturist inserts thin needles into specific points near the shoulder and elsewhere in the body. Most people feel almost no pain when needles are put in.
• Number of Sessions: The number of visits needed could be determined by a specific person’s requirements and the severity of the disease. Most practitioners recommend seeing one every week, which gradually decreases as treatment progresses.
• Complementary Therapies: Acupuncture may be combined with other treatments, including therapy. Be sure to discuss your entire treatment plan with your acupuncturist and physical therapist.

Considerations and Conclusion

Acupuncture might be helpful for some people with a frozen shoulder, but results tend to vary from one person to another. It should be seen as part of an overall course of treatment. Here are a few things to note:

• Talk to Healthcare Professionals: Before you go ahead with acupuncture, have it discussed with your healthcare provider first. They will advise if it is the right thing for your current situation or help you decide whether it would fit well with the plans of going on with the ongoing treatment.
• Choose a Qualified Practitioner: Ensure that your acupuncturist is licensed and has experience in musculoskeletal care. Select practitioners who have received training in acupuncture for pain management.
• Be Patient: You will not feel acupuncture immediately after and think it’s done. You sometimes don’t notice improvement until after several sessions, so being patient and committed to your treatment is essential.

Acupuncture is a helpful therapy for frozen shoulder as it facilitates recovery through its pain-relieving and -reducing actions, increases the circulation of fluids to the affected area, and decreases inflammation, improving movement. If you have a frozen shoulder, you should speak with your healthcare provider about acupuncture to supplement treatment.

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