Acupuncture & Frozen Shoulder: Proven Remedy & Quick Recovery

August 21, 2024

Frozen Shoulder

Acupuncture & Frozen Shoulder: Proven Remedy & Quick Recovery

Frozen shoulder is a condition in which the glenohumeral joint becomes stiff and unable to move, making it difficult to raise the shoulder. This is Nancy’s successful story of acupuncture treatment.

Nancy, a 60-year-old woman, came to my acupuncture clinic complaining of persistent stiffness and pain in her left shoulder for the past 3 months with no improvement.

Initially, she was diagnosed with adhesive capsulitis due to the limited movement of her left shoulder. Her doctor suggested physical therapy to increase the mobility of the joint so that she could raise her shoulder. She attended physical therapy sessions for several weeks, but there was only minimal improvement. Her symptoms were causing her difficulty in sleeping at night, which was very exhausting and frustrating for her. As a result, she decided to pursue acupuncture treatments in addition to physical therapy in the hope of finding relief.

We understand this can be a lot of information and overwhelming: if you are looking for more support and answers, set up a free consultation with our frozen shoulder Specialist, Satoru Ozawa. Share your story, get your questions answered, and learn how you can set yourself up for tremendous success in achieving a healthy life.

Call or text us to get Free Consultation at 972-777-0836

What is Frozen shoulder?

Frozen shoulder, also known as adhesive capsulitis, is a condition characterized by stiffness and pain in the shoulder joint. It occurs when the capsule of connective tissue surrounding the shoulder thickens and tightens, restricting movement and causing significant discomfort. This condition often develops gradually over time and can severely impact the individual’s ability to perform daily activities that involve shoulder movement.

How long does it take to recover Frozen shoulder?

When you face a frozen shoulder, there are three stages: freezing, frozen, and thawing.

1. Freezing stage

This is the initial stage where you start to feel pain and stiffness in your shoulder. The pain gradually increases over time, and you may find it difficult to move your shoulder. This stage usually lasts for 6-9 months.

2. Frozen stage

In this stage, the pain starts to subside, but the stiffness remains. You may find it difficult to carry out everyday activities like combing your hair or reaching behind your back. This stage usually lasts for 4-6 months.

3. Thawing stage

In this stage, the stiffness gradually reduces, and you start to regain your range of motion. This stage can last from 6 months to 2 years.

In Nancy’s case, she came to my acupuncture clinic within three months after her symptoms developed.

Frozen Shoulder Treatments

There are several therapies available for treating frozen shoulder and promoting range of motion. These include medications, physical therapy, massage, stretching, heat therapy, chiropractic care, and surgery. Acupuncture is also an option for treating frozen shoulder. Nancy chose acupuncture after trying physical therapy, but she did not see significant improvement from these treatments.

9 Steps Self Massage for Frozen Shoulder

Also, I have created 9 steps for self-massage for frozen shoulder. These steps are recommended to improve blood flow and accelerate the healing process at home. For more details, please visit my other blog post. How To Massage For Frozen Shoulder By Yourself (9 Steps)

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Is Acupuncture Effective for Frozen Shoulder?

During Nancy’s first acupuncture session, we examined her shoulder movement and muscle tightness in her left shoulder. She experienced achy and shooting pain when moving her shoulder above 90 degrees, and it was tender to the touch. In addition, she had pain around her neck. We agreed on a treatment plan of acupuncture once a week for a month.

The treatments focused on reducing inflammation and restoring shoulder movement. Acupuncture has been shown in many studies to be incredibly practical in reducing pain and inflammation due to its ability to stimulate the body to release its natural painkillers.

One week after her first acupuncture treatment, Nancy was showing signs of progress. She experienced less shooting pain when she raised her arm. By the end of the third week, she was able to touch her head, and she could sleep at night without waking up due to pain.

Within three months, Nancy had fully recovered. She no longer needed treatments and had regained 90% of the range of motion in her shoulder.

Now, she can comb her hair and play tennis without any pain or trouble.

When Should I start Acupuncture?

As a general rule of thumb, the sooner one receives treatment, the better the prognosis. Some patients come for frozen shoulder treatment months or even years after the initial onset, and these chronic cases are often more complex and take a much longer time to achieve results. Even then, recovery is not guaranteed.

How Often Should I Schedule Acupuncture Sessions?

Regarding the frequency of treatments, Acupuncture follows a simple rule. Acute and relatively new conditions are most effectively treated with more frequent visits, whereas chronic and old conditions can benefit from more widespread treatments. In other words, if you just had an onset of frozen shoulder, you will probably be prescribed 2-3 treatments per week in order to get the most effective results, and chronic cases will generally come in only once a week.

If you or a loved one was diagnosed with frozen shoulder and want to learn more about acupuncture and whether it’s appropriate for your case, send us a message through our contact page. Thank you for taking the time to read this blog post! I appreciate your interest and hope to see you again for future posts.

We understand this can be a lot of information and overwhelming: if you are looking for more support and answers, set up a free consultation with our Frozen Shoulder Specialist, Satoru Ozawa. Share your story, get your questions answered, and learn how you can set yourself up for tremendous success in achieving a healthy life.