Shoulder that arises from an injury or accident or as a result of posture can be incredibly disruptive towards our daily activities. Individuals who suffer from neck pain will often times undergo physical therapy or take medication, however, sometimes the pain is so severe that doctors recommend steroid injections to help numb the pain. At TCM Health Center we see many patients with shoulder pain and use acupuncture to help treat the condition.

Acupuncture works towards balancing the qi (an essential force) and flow of energy in the body. It is believed that if a natural flow in the body has been blocked it can create pain or other complications. The reason why acupuncture is often so successful with pain conditions is due to its stimulation of the central nervous system to help release neurotransmitters such as endorphins, which act as natural painkillers. Patients who come in for shoulder pain often find that after a certain course of treatment they have significant improvement with the pain and inflammation.

In a 2004 study conducted by Hoyos et al., patients who were experiencing shoulder pain were divided into two groups: the first group received acupuncture treatment and the second group received no treatment as a control. Patients in the first group were given two treatments over eight weeks. In a six-month follow-up patients in the two groups were compared to examine the long-term effects of acupuncture on chronic shoulder pain. The result found that the acupuncture group consistently had better outcomes than the control group. 

While the root of the condition truly varies, at TCM Health Center we hope to help individuals to the best of our ability to allow them to regain movement, comfort, and healing through acupuncture treatment.

If you have any further questions about acupuncture treatment for shoulder pain, please feel free to give any one of our locations a call to schedule an initial consultation. We look forward to hearing from you!