Muscle & joint complaints
Acupuncture for a frozen shoulder
A frozen shoulder is a condition where the shoulder joint becomes increasingly stiff and painful. Movement gradually becomes more difficult, and simple daily tasks—like getting dressed, putting on a coat, or reaching into a cupboard—can be severely restricted.
What is a frozen shoulder?
With a frozen shoulder, the joint capsule surrounding the shoulder becomes thickened and tight. This reduces the shoulder's range of motion. Movements involving lifting the arm or rotating it outward become particularly difficult.
A frozen shoulder typically progresses through several stages. Initially, pain is often the primary symptom. Then, stiffness progressively increases, and movement becomes more limited. Eventually, mobility can gradually return, but this recovery process can take a significant amount of time.
The pain can radiate to the upper arm and is often noticeably worse at night, making it difficult to sleep and find a comfortable resting position.
A frozen shoulder often develops gradually, and the exact cause is not always clear. Symptoms can arise after an injury, surgery, or a period of immobility, but it can also develop without any obvious trigger.
Traditional Chinese Medicine
How can acupuncture support you?
During acupuncture, we do not just look at the painful shoulder, but at the symptom pattern as a whole. Besides the shoulder itself, the neck, upper back, and arm can also be involved in the pain and tension you experience.
Pain and stiffness (Stagnation)
The focus lies on locally reducing muscle tension and easing the painful, stiff shoulder by promoting circulation.
Compensatory tension in the neck and back
Because a frozen shoulder often leads to compensatory changes in your posture, we also address the surrounding muscle groups in the neck, arm, and upper back.
What to expect during treatment?
During the initial consultation, we will thoroughly discuss how the symptoms started, which movements are restricted, and when you experience the most pain. Based on this, we tailor a treatment plan which may include:
- 01Acupuncture aimed at pain relief and supporting the restricted range of motion.
- 02Treating the surrounding muscles and areas connected to the shoulder.
- 03Additional techniques, such as gentle warmth (moxa), when appropriate.
- 04Practical advice on how to keep the shoulder moving safely within your limits.
Prefer no needles?
Every treatment can also be carried out completely needle-free with laser acupuncture, in which the same points are treated with therapeutic laser light. Ear acupuncture is always carried out with the laser. Acupressure, which also uses no needles, can be used as well.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is acupuncture beneficial for a frozen shoulder?
It can be a valuable addition if you experience long-term pain and stiffness, struggle with daily movements like getting dressed or reaching, suffer from night pain, or if you are looking for extra support alongside other treatments.
What does research say about acupuncture and frozen shoulders?
Various studies report a reduction in pain and improvement in range of motion. While results vary per individual, many people experience noticeable improvements in their daily activities and comfort.
Related
Related complaints & patterns
Shoulder complaints
Discomfort when lifting or rotating, tight shoulder blades, or strained tendons.
Neck pain
Stiff neck, muscle spasms, restricted range of motion, and desk strain.
Tendon complaints & sports injuries
Overloaded tendons, such as heel spur or the Achilles tendon, and injuries from sport.
Personal Treatment Plan
Moving more freely again
A frozen shoulder can significantly limit your daily life. With acupuncture, we focus on reducing symptoms and supporting a smoother movement pattern.