Acupuncture for rotator cuff pain
The rotator cuff steadies your shoulder through every move, so when it's strained or torn, almost anything you do with that arm hurts. We help it calm down and rebuild.
The rotator cuff is four muscles and their tendons wrapped around the shoulder to keep it stable and moving smoothly. Overuse, a fall, or years of wear can strain it, inflame it, or tear it.
Tendinitis, impingement, a partial tear, they all bring pain and inflammation. Acupuncture settles both and gives the tissue room to recover, and we line up rehab alongside it to rebuild the strength you've lost.
Symptoms we treat
If any of these sound like your experience, acupuncture is worth a conversation. This isn't a diagnosis, your first visit is.
Why acupuncture works here
We work three layers at once, the injured tissue, the nerves feeding it, and the pain signal itself, and pick the points based on what your shoulder is actually doing.
From first visit to plan
Every patient moves through the same four steps, and we don't rush them. Your first visit includes a consultation.
The clinical picture
A rotator cuff tear is a condition where one or more of the tendons in the rotator cuff, a group of four muscles and their tendons that stabilize the shoulder joint, are torn. The rotator cuff allows for a wide range of arm movements and is crucial for shoulder stability.
Types of Rotator Cuff Tears
- Partial Tear: The tendon is damaged but not completely severed.
- Complete Tear (Full-Thickness Tear): The tendon is fully detached from the bone, often leaving a hole or gap.
Symptoms
- Pain, especially when lifting the arm or performing overhead activities.
- Weakness in the shoulder.
- Limited range of motion.
- A clicking or popping sensation when moving the shoulder.
- Night pain, particularly when lying on the affected shoulder.
Causes
- Acute Injury: A sudden trauma, such as a fall or lifting a heavy object.
- Degenerative Wear: Gradual wear and tear over time, common in older adults or individuals performing repetitive overhead motions (e.g. athletes, painters).
Diagnosis
- Physical examination to assess pain, strength, and range of motion.
- Imaging tests:
- X-rays: To rule out other conditions like bone spurs or fractures.
- MRI/Ultrasound: To confirm the tear's size, location, and severity.
Treatment Options
- Non-Surgical:
- Rest: Avoid activities that aggravate the condition.
- Ice/Heat Therapy: To reduce pain and inflammation.
- Medications: NSAIDs (e.g. ibuprofen, naproxen) to relieve pain.
- Rehabilitation exercises: Exercises to strengthen shoulder muscles and improve range of motion.
- Steroid Injections: Corticosteroids to reduce inflammation and pain, typically used if conservative treatments are ineffective.
- Surgical:
- Recommended for large tears, persistent symptoms, or cases where function is severely impaired:
- Arthroscopic Repair: Minimally invasive surgery using small incisions and instruments to reattach the tendon.
- Open Surgery: Larger incisions may be needed for more complex repairs.
- Tendon Transfer: In cases where the tear is irreparable, a nearby tendon may be used to restore function.
- Shoulder Replacement: For severe cases with joint damage (e.g. rotator cuff arthropathy).
- Rehabilitation:
- Post-surgical rehabilitation to restore strength, flexibility, and function.
- Gradual progression from passive to active exercises.
Prevention
- Avoid repetitive overhead activities.
- Maintain shoulder strength and flexibility through regular exercise.
- Use proper techniques for sports or heavy lifting.
Early treatment improves outcomes, particularly for acute tears, while degenerative tears may require longer rehabilitation.