Acupuncture for Shoulder Pain
Shoulder Pain Treatment
Acupuncture for shoulder pain in Los Angeles. Nature Acupuncture & Herbs treats rotator cuff strain, impingement, bursitis, and stiffness at three LA locations.
About This Condition
The shoulder is the most mobile joint in the body, and that mobility comes at a cost. It relies on a small group of rotator cuff muscles and tendons to stay stable through a huge range of motion, so it does not take much to overload them. Most of the shoulder pain we see at Nature Acupuncture & Herbs comes down to a handful of causes: rotator cuff tendinopathy, subacromial impingement, bursitis, biceps tendinitis, and the wear of osteoarthritis.
Acupuncture is a good fit for these problems because it works on the tendon, the surrounding muscle, and the pain itself at the same time. Our licensed acupuncturists build a plan around your specific injury and how you use the shoulder, whether that is overhead work, lifting, or a sport, and treat at all three of our Los Angeles locations.
How Does Acupuncture Help Shoulder Pain?
Shoulder pain usually involves an inflamed tendon or bursa plus a ring of muscle that has tightened up to protect it. Acupuncture addresses both. Needling at the shoulder increases local blood flow to tissue that has a naturally poor blood supply, which is part of why rotator cuff injuries are slow to heal on their own. It also releases the trigger points in the supraspinatus, infraspinatus, deltoid, and upper trapezius that refer pain down the arm and limit how far you can lift.
There is a pain-signaling piece as well. Inserting needles prompts the release of the body's own pain-dampening chemistry and quiets the nerves that keep an irritated shoulder feeling raw. In practice, that combination tends to give people back range of motion, which then lets them do the rehab exercises that rebuild the joint. Trials that pair acupuncture with a shoulder exercise program generally show better pain and function scores than exercise alone.
What to Expect at Nature Acupuncture
Your first visit starts with a movement assessment: the practitioner watches how your shoulder moves, finds the positions that hurt, and checks the muscles that are guarding. Treatment usually combines local points around the shoulder with distal points on the arm and leg, and often cupping over the upper back and shoulder to release the fascia. Sessions run 60 to 90 minutes. Most people feel looser after the first two or three visits, with a typical course of 6 to 10 weekly sessions for a stubborn rotator cuff or impingement problem.
Acupuncture for Shoulder Pain
Available at all three Los Angeles locations - West LA, Hawthorne, and Lynwood.
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Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Can acupuncture help a rotator cuff injury?
Yes, for most rotator cuff problems that are not full-thickness tears. Acupuncture reduces the pain and inflammation of rotator cuff tendinopathy and partial tears, and it loosens the compensating muscles that build up around the injury. For a complete tear that needs surgical repair, acupuncture is still useful for managing pain before and after the operation, but it will not reattach the tendon.
How many sessions will I need for shoulder pain?
Acute shoulder pain from a recent strain often settles in three to five sessions. A chronic problem like long-standing impingement or a cranky rotator cuff usually takes 6 to 10 weekly sessions before it levels off. Your practitioner reassesses your range of motion at each visit and adjusts from there.
Does acupuncture hurt when the shoulder is already painful?
The needles are hair-thin and most people feel very little, even in a sore shoulder. You may notice a dull ache or warmth at the point, which is a normal therapeutic response. We work within what your shoulder tolerates and reposition you as needed so you stay comfortable during the session.
Should I still do physical therapy?
Yes. Acupuncture and physical therapy work well together. Acupuncture brings the pain down and restores enough motion for you to get more out of your strengthening exercises, and the rehab is what keeps the problem from coming back. Many of our patients do both at once.
Is acupuncture for shoulder pain covered by insurance?
Often, yes. Aetna, Blue Shield of California, Cigna, and UnitedHealthcare cover acupuncture under many plans, and shoulder pain is a commonly covered complaint. If your shoulder was hurt at work or in a car accident, we also accept workers' compensation and personal injury cases. Use our insurance verification form and we will confirm your benefits before your first visit.
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Ready to Treat Your Shoulder Pain?
Book a new patient consultation at any of our three Los Angeles locations.