Point Of Difference For Shoulder Bursitis: Acupuncture VS Physiotherapy
Shoulder bursitis is often a chronic over use injury where the bursa becomes inflamed over time causing pain, loss of range of motion and strength. The pain is usually felt in the front of the shoulder and can travel down towards the elbow.
Conventional treatment is release the posterior rotator cuff muscle (back of the shoulder blade) that pushes the shoulder joint forward (humeral head forward in the socket) over loading the bursa, which is fluid filled sac. This helps with smooth movement of the ligament and muscles.
Typically you are also giving exercises that strengthen the subscapularis muscle to position the humeral head correctly in the socket as well as taping and postural exercises. If this doesn’t reduce the irritation on the bursa enough for healing to start than a cortisol injection is often recommended.
Acupuncture differs by using needles in precise locations that have a local anti-inflammatory response as well as releasing trigger points (tender spots in the muscle) that cause pain, loss of strength and range of motion. On the posture of the cuff, a needle can be used to reduce muscle tone and remove any trigger points that are forcing the humeral head forward.
We can release trigger points that reduce the strength of the muscle and promote blood supply aiding in muscle recovery. The needles used distally modulate the body’s pain response and have a stress relieving effect. This promotes healing and better sleep to aid in the recovery. Herbs are often recommended as well to reduce pain and inflammation and speed recovery times.