Frozen shoulder, also known as adhesive capsulitis is a condition that leads to stiffness and pain in the shoulder joint and can lead to restricted movement.
Frozen shoulder occurs when the connective tissue that surrounds the shoulder becomes inflamed and tightens around the shoulder joint. At AcuHealth Therapies we utilise acupuncture when working with patients who are experiencing symptoms related to frozen shoulder.
Frozen shoulder can occur due to a range of factors which can include:
Injury or surgery – restricting movement of the shoulder during recovery can lead to a higher risk of developing frozen shoulder.
Underlying health issues – Diabetes, Overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism), Underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism), Cardiovascular disease & Parkinson’s disease can increase your risk of frozen shoulder.
Age and gender – people who are over 40 and female are more likely to develop the condition.
Frozen shoulder generally develops over four stages:
Pre-freezing (1 to 3 months) – the initial stage of frozen shoulder when pain becomes noticeable. At this stage you may begin to feel pain when you move your shoulder and you may also start to notice a reduction in mobility.
Freezing (10 weeks to 8 months) – the freezing stage can be the most painful stage and involves a gradual build-up of pain and stiffness as the shoulder capsule becomes inflamed.
Frozen (4 months to 12 months) – during this stage pain may begin to subside but mobility of the shoulder can be severely limited.
Thawing (5 months to 2 years) – in this stage the thickness and stiffness of the shoulder capsule begins to gradually reduce and shoulder mobility begins to improve. Stretching the shoulder during this phase is important to maintain recovery.
Acupuncture, which is a key component of Traditional Chinese Medicine may form part of an effective treatment plan for frozen shoulder by:
Stimulating blood flow – acupuncture can promote blood circulation to the shoulder area which may reduce inflammation and promote tissue repair.
Relieving pain – acupuncture for frozen shoulder can encourage the release of the body’s natural pain-relieving endorphins.
Reducing muscle stiffness and tension – acupuncture can reduce muscle stiffness and reduce muscle tension which can improve the range of motion of the shoulder.
Identifying and addressing any underlying issues – Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine focuses on maintaining balance and identifying and treating any underlying issues that may be contributing to your frozen shoulder.
Acupuncture offers some unique benefits that may assist you to manage the pain and lack of mobility which can be associated with a frozen shoulder.
Natural therapy – acupuncture is a natural therapy that does not involve any medications.
Improved mobility – acupuncture may assist to improve your shoulder mobility, reduce stiffness and improve your range of motion.
Complementary therapy – acupuncture is a complementary therapy that can be combined with modern western medicine therapies.
Minimally invasive – acupuncture is a low risk therapy if performed by an experienced and accredited Chinese Medicine practitioner.
A 2020 study on the effectiveness of acupuncture in the treatment of frozen shoulder concluded that “acupuncture had shown to be a safe treatment with a significant effect in regard to reducing pain, improving shoulder function, and flexion ROM in the short term and midterm. However, due to the small number of included studies and methodological limitations in these studies, more large-scale high-quality RCTs are warranted in order to give a robust conclusion.”
Cupping therapy can be combined with acupuncture as part of a frozen shoulder treatment plan.
Cupping therapy may help to alleviate frozen shoulder by:
If you are experiencing symptoms related to frozen shoulder and are seeking a natural therapy then acupuncture is a natural option to consider as a component of your treatment plan.
To learn more about Acupuncture for frozen shoulder in Melbourne call us at the clinic on 0403 524 893
