Any kind of pain in the body disrupts the normal functioning of one’s body. The pain in the body is usually brought about by various factors depending on where the pain is generating from. In this case, we are talking about shoulder pain.
Shoulder pain usually generates from the back of the neck and is sometimes referred to as upper or neck pain, given their closeness. The pain on the shoulders can be caused by poor sitting posture, overworking, over-exercising, injury, or old age. Some of the causes of shoulder pain are mild and often go away with time.
However, when the shoulder pain is persistent even after doing all that you are expected to do, it is probably time to try out a different approach. We will discuss acupuncture for shoulder pain in this article for a better understanding of the procedure.
What is acupuncture for shoulder pain?
It is a form of therapy that involves skin penetration using extremely thin needles. Acupuncture is one of the practices used by ancient Chinese medicine. The needles that get through the skin are activated via subtle and precise movements of the one administering the treatment.
The practice is said to bring back the flow of positive energy across the entire body. By inflicting gentle pain through the skin, the laws of acupuncture state that negative energy leaves the body. Scientifically, it stimulates different systems, more so the nervous system, in the body to bring balance.
How does acupuncture for shoulder pain work?
Resorting to acupuncture for shoulder pain might just be the solution to your long-standing pain. As mentioned, the practice stimulates the nervous system, hence unblocking the body’s vital energy (Qi).
Qi is said to flow through the body channels called meridians. There are several acupoints inside the meridians in the body that link to specific systems in the body. Therefore, when disruption occurs (in form of blockages), pain and muscle tension might develop.
Acupuncture works to unblock the parts where the nervous system is blocked to help relieve pain, minimize inflammation, and release tight muscles. This, in turn, aids in increasing motion in the shoulder area to help get rid of other problems in the area.
Acupoints for Shoulder Pain
Shoulder pain, as discussed above, is often caused by tension in the muscles. As the muscles tighten, the intensity of the pain also increases. Collectively, these points are called trigger or acupoints. Once you turn to acupuncture, the tight band of muscle is instantly released to relieve the shoulder pain.
Shoulder pain can either be from the back or the front area near the chest. The front side is called the anterior shoulder which includes; Infraspinatus, scalene, deltoid, pectoralis major/minor, supraspinatus, coracobrachialis, biceps brachii, and latissimus dorsi.
The back part is called the posterior shoulder which consists of, levator scapulae, deltoid, teres major/minor, supraspinatus, subscapularis, latissimus dorsi, trapezius, triceps, serratus posterior superior, and iliocostalis.
Understanding Shoulder Anatomy
The shoulder is a complex joint as it hosts both ball and socket joints. It consists of two joints; the one at the humerus and scapula, joining at the glenoid cavity, and the other acromion and clavicle. The first joint is called, the glenohumeral whereas the second joint is the acromioclavicular joint.
Since there are many muscles, ligaments, and tendons that aid in stabilizing the shoulder, it is ideal to evaluate the whole joint for structural imbalances. These imbalances contribute to the pain in the shoulder. By carefully administering acupuncture, the pain will subside as the tension in the muscle is released.
After trying various ways to cure your shoulder pain in vain, trying acupuncture for shoulder pain can solve the problem. By inflicting mild pain through the skin on the shoulders, shoulder pain disappears as acupuncture reduces muscle tension and inflammation.