When to Begin Acupuncture After a Shoulder Injury

The most complex and flexible joint in your body, the shoulder’s versatility increases its risk of injury when compared with other joints. Shoulders are vulnerable to both trauma and repetitive strain injuries. 

Acupuncture can help you cope with discomfort and pain and can assist your body’s natural ability to heal. Visit the team at Pine Mountain Chinese Acupuncture & Herb Clinic in Austin, Texas, when you’re struggling with shoulder pain. We can help. 

Types of shoulder injury

Because of its remarkable range of motion, the shoulder relies on a structure of soft tissue called the rotator cuff to hold the shoulder in its shallow socket. Space within the joint is at a premium, so even small amounts of inflammation can create problems. 

Many common shoulder injuries feature tissue irritation and inflammation, making acupuncture well-suited as part of your recovery. These common injuries fall roughly into these types: 

• Impingement: typically occurs with frequent overhead postures, causing inflammation and tendinitis
• Instability: injuries where the shoulder’s ball sits poorly in its socket
• Rotator cuff tears: partial or complete tendon tears
• Stiffness: restricted motion in the shoulder that’s not caused by tissue tears

Blood vessels and nerve tissue may also be affected by tissue inflammation, causing pain and slow healing. 

How acupuncture helps

Your injured shoulder benefits from acupuncture care in a variety of ways: 

• Pain relief: treatment stimulates natural painkillers, blood flow, and reduces inflammation
• Muscle relaxation: eases tension in the shoulder’s support muscles
• Recovers mobility: range of motion expands as inflammation lets up
• Drug-free: acupuncture supports healing, rather than masking symptoms
• Complements other treatments: works well with massage and physical therapy
• No side effects: no risk of addiction or drug interactions

Acupuncture promotes relaxation and stress relief, minimizing the impact of your injury. 

When to begin acupuncture after a shoulder injury

The sooner you start acupuncture treatment after a shoulder injury, the more effective your treatment is likely to be. With repetitive strain injuries, which develop slowly, seek treatment with Dr. Ziyang Zhou as soon as you notice discomfort, pain, loss of motion, inflammation, or stiffness. 

Though you’ll likely benefit from acupuncture starting at any point during your injury recovery, early intervention, within the first two days after your injury, usually proves most effective in the case of acute injury. 

For conditions such as adhesive capsulitis, also known as frozen shoulder, starting acupuncture early can help prevent mobility loss from getting worse. Acupuncture even has a place in your recovery after shoulder surgery. 

Contact our team at Pine Mountain Chinese Acupuncture & Herb Clinic to learn more about treatment for shoulder injuries. Call or click to schedule your consultation today.