Shoulder Pain Treatment
The scapular position, stability, and control play an important role in shoulder strength and integrity. In order for these elements to function properly, several scapulothoracic muscles must work together. At the scapula, the serratus anterior and trapezius form the main force couple. The scapular stabilizers can be weak or improperly activated, altering scapular positioning and mechanics.
Rotator cuff disease causes the majority of shoulder disabilities, especially in the elderly. There is a very high incidence of rotator cuff calcific tendinopathy; the most affected area is the critical zone of the supraspinatus tendon (80%), followed by the infraspinatus tendon (15%). Another very common shoulder joint condition is rotator cuff tears. The chances of experiencing an asymptomatic rotator cuff tear increase with age. Rotator cuff tears caused by degenerative processes may be directly linked to poor vascularity of the rotator crescent.
In order to prevent the progression of tears and muscle deterioration, all treatment options should be considered in order to facilitate rotator cuff healing, including biologic augmentation (platelet-rich plasma and adipose-derived stem cells) as well as systemic augmentation (stopping smoking, taking vitamin D supplements, treating osteoporosis, and managing diabetes). Studies have shown that repeated steroid injections weaken rotator cuffs and negatively affect bone quality. As a result, steroid injections have been widely acknowledged for their limitations as a primary treatment.
Shoulder pain can be a debilitating side effect of many daily activities. From lifting to carrying grocery bags, pain in both shoulders can make these tasks seem incredibly difficult and cause an overall decrease in quality of life. Thankfully, there is an effective treatment option that may provide pain relief: acupuncture. Acupuncture has proven particularly successful in treating conditions like frozen shoulder, by providing pain relief by targeting specific points or nerve pathways in the body with fine needles. With pain relief, range and strength of motion should also improve dramatically, allowing individuals with shoulder pain to live their lives unhindered once again.
Shoulder pain can be a difficult thing to manage, but the use of traditional Chinese medicines has been proven to be beneficial in treating shoulder-related issues. By targeting shoulder musculus and joint pain, traditional Chinese medicines address the underlying issue of shoulder pain. Often, shoulder muscle and joint pain can radiate down the arm. As such, Chinese medicine has found success in treating shoulder muscle and joint pain in the left shoulder and arm. A tailored plan developed by an experienced TCM physician is necessary in order to get relief from shoulder pain as quickly as possible. With this treatment, you can achieve symptom relief without having to resort to surgery or other more drastic measures.
