Could Shoulder Pain Be Treated By Acupuncture?

1. Would acupuncture work for treating shoulder pain?

To answer this question, scientists found and analyzed 9 research studies. The studies tested over 500 people who had shoulder pain. People had either acupuncture, a placebo (fake therapy), ultrasound, gentle movement or exercises usually for 20-30 minutes, two to three times a week for 3 to 6 weeks. Even though the studies were small and not of the highest quality, this Cochrane review provides the best evidence we have today.

2. What causes shoulder pain and how can acupuncture help?

Shoulder pain can be caused by a number of different conditions. It can be caused by rotator cuff disease, periarthritis or adhesive capsulitis (frozen shoulder). Shoulder pain can sometimes go away on its own but may last up to 12 to 18 months. Drug and non-drug treatments are used to relieve pain and/or swelling. Acupuncture is a non-drug therapy being used more and more to treat shoulder pain. It is thought that acupuncture works either by releasing chemical compounds in the body that relieve pain, by overriding pain signals in the nerves or by allowing energy (Qi) or blood to flow freely through the body. It is not known whether acupuncture works or is safe.

3. How well does acupuncture work?

The improvements with acupuncture for pain and function were about the same as the effects of receiving a fake therapy for 2 to 4 weeks.

One study showed that acupuncture improved shoulder function more than fake therapy after 4 weeks. But after 4 months, improvements were about the same with only an improvement of 4 more points on a scale of 0 to 100 with acupuncture.

One small study showed that acupuncture plus exercise was better than just exercise for improving pain, range of motion and function for up to 5 months.

4. How safe is it of acupuncture for treating neck pain?

Side effects were not measured in many of the studies. One study showed that side effects such as fainting, headache, dizziness, swelling or leg weakness, were about the same with acupuncture or fake therapy.

5. What is the bottom line about this treatment?

There is not enough evidence to say whether acupuncture works to treat shoulder pain or whether it is harmful.

From the little evidence that there is, acupuncture may improve pain and function over the short term (2 to 4 weeks).

6. Best place for Acupuncture in HCMC

If you are suffering shoulder pain, why don’t you come to Lotus Clinic? Located at 33/16 Ly Van Phuc Street, Tan Dinh Ward, District 1, Lotus Clinic is the best place to massage with affordable price. The most special thing at Lotus Clinic that you will be massaged by ceritified doctors not a massage therapist. Before delivering therapy, the doctors will ask your current situation and decide which therapy should be applied. If you are staying quite far away from our clinic and still want to experience our therapy? Don’t worrry, Lotus Clinic also have massage therapy at home. With the team of nearly 20 doctors, we could help you to deliver massage therapy at anywhere in Ho Chi Minh City. If you have any question so far or want to book an appointment right now, call us 0778899207.