Shoulder pain is a common complaint and it is something we treat quite often.

There are various causes for shoulder pain, the most common ones being repetitive motion, injuries and arthritis. If these go ignored or untreated it can lead to substantial or chronic issues such as torn rotator cuff, bursitis, frozen shoulder and ‘pinched nerves’ (impingement).

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, pain is viewed as a blockage of Qi (the life force energy) and Blood. Typically, this blockage is due to injury; but other TCM pathogenic factors, described below (Wind, Heat, Cold, Damp, Phlegm) are contributors as well.

Wind: pain that moves around, or comes and goes
Heat: hot joints, warm to the touch, inflamed feeling
Cold: sharp, fixed pain
Damp: dull, achy, heavy

These pathogenic factors, along with other tools of differentiation, determine how we diagnose and treat the pain.

The severity, chronicity, and location will determine how many treatments are needed. If it is a recent injury and you have been dealing with the pain for days, then multiple treatments a week are best. However, if you have had the pain for months or years, then weekly treatments for awhile are the approach. Your acupuncturist will discuss the best direction for your condition.

Mindful movement, such as stretching, and resistance training helps to strengthen the muscles and create more flow to the joint tissues, thus aiding in short and long term pain relief. Outside of an acute injury with swelling, ice is not recommended.

Heating pads and topicals such as Zheng Gu Shui and Wu Yang Plasters are helpful to encourage qi and blood flow to the affected area.