Frozen Shoulder

You could develop a painful frozen shoulder if you haven’t been able to use your arm for some time because of an injury or illness. If you suffer from this condition, contact Acupuncture by Sue in Queens, New York City. Chinese medicine and acupuncture specialist Sue Du, LAc, MS, provides personalized care that helps to restore shoulder function and relieve pain. Call Acupuncture by Sue or complete the online booking form today to benefit from effective, natural frozen shoulder treatment.

What is frozen shoulder?

Frozen shoulder (adhesive capsulitis) causes joint pain and stiffness. The pain can be intense, particularly at night, and it’s often hard to move your arm.

Frozen shoulder results from inflammation in the connective tissues holding the joint together. The inflamed tissue tightens and thickens, reducing your range of motion and strength, triggering pain.

The condition usually develops following a period of reduced mobility, such as breaking your arm and having it in a cast or suffering one-sided paralysis after a stroke.

Trigger points also form in the muscles, often where they meet the nerves. These spots of sensitive knotted tissue can cause frozen shoulder or form in response to a frozen shoulder.

How does acupuncture relieve frozen shoulder?

Conventional frozen shoulder treatment typically combines physical therapy and medication. Physical therapy frees the tightened tissues, so you move more freely. Anti-inflammatories reduce inflammation and pain. A persistent frozen shoulder might benefit from steroid injections.

Sue offers acupuncture as an alternative for patients who don’t want to use medications or are looking for effective ways to boost conventional treatment results. She inserts acupuncture needles into your trigger points, making tightened muscles contract. This causes muscle softening, making the treated area more relaxed.

Releasing trigger points using acupuncture increases blood flow to the area, increasing oxygen and nutrient delivery for better healing. Sue may also put needles into your:

• Shoulder (front and back)
• Upper arms
• Elbow
• Hand

When Sue inserts acupuncture needles into specific points on your body, they stimulate the nerves to release serotonin (a hormone) and endorphins (pain-killing chemicals). These natural substances promote relaxation and a sense of well-being. They also change how your brain processes pain.

Another benefit of acupuncture for frozen shoulder is that it releases neuropeptides (proteins made by specialized nerve cells). These help to control inflammation, blood vessel dilation, and blood flow. You might also want to supplement acupuncture with traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) remedies.

How many acupuncture treatments will I need for frozen shoulder?

The number of acupuncture sessions you need varies depending on the severity of your condition and how you respond to treatment. 

A typical frozen shoulder acupuncture program consists of one or two treatments a week for four weeks. Sue will advise you on the number of sessions you’ll need after evaluating your condition and medical history.

Call Acupuncture by Sue to arrange a frozen shoulder assessment, or book your acupuncture appointment online today.