You Need To Consider Doing This If Your Shoulder Impingement Is Not Improving With Acupuncture

Shoulder impingement can feel like a constant limitation on your daily activities, making even the simplest movements—like reaching for an item on a shelf or brushing your hair—painful and challenging. The condition occurs when the tendons of the rotator cuff become irritated or compressed as they pass through the shoulder joint, causing pain, inflammation, and restricted mobility.

Living with shoulder impingement can be emotionally draining. The frustration of not being able to move freely or engage in physical activities can take a toll on your mental health, leading to stress and helplessness. If your pain is not improving, it might be time to explore additional treatment options, like acupuncture, to address the underlying issues.

Acupuncture: A Popular Approach to Treating Shoulder Impingement

Acupuncture, a key element of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), has been used for centuries to treat a variety of musculoskeletal conditions, including shoulder impingement. By inserting fine needles at specific points along the body, acupuncture helps stimulate the flow of energy (qi), reduce inflammation, improve circulation, and promote natural healing. For many individuals with shoulder impingement, acupuncture can provide significant relief by targeting both the symptoms and the root cause of the pain.

However, while acupuncture can bring relief to many, it may not always provide lasting results if the underlying cause of the shoulder impingement has not been properly diagnosed. Without a clear understanding of the root issue, treatments may only provide temporary relief, rather than addressing the problem at its core.

Why Getting a Clear Diagnosis Is Crucial

Shoulder impingement can arise from a variety of causes. Here are five common reasons for shoulder impingement:

1. Rotator Cuff Tendonitis – Inflammation in the rotator cuff tendons can cause them to become swollen and press against the bones of the shoulder joint, leading to impingement.
2. Bursitis – Inflammation of the bursa (a fluid-filled sac that cushions the shoulder) can lead to impingement, causing pain and restricted movement.
3. Bone Spurs – Bony growths on the shoulder bones can narrow the space where the tendons pass, resulting in impingement and discomfort.
4. Postural Issues – Poor posture, especially rounded shoulders, can alter the mechanics of the shoulder joint, leading to impingement over time.
5. Rotator Cuff Tears – Damage to the rotator cuff tendons can limit the movement of the shoulder joint, causing pain and leading to impingement.

In addition to these common causes, there are two less common but potentially more serious causes of shoulder impingement:

1. Fractures – A break or fracture in the bones around the shoulder joint can affect the alignment and cause impingement.
2. Instability – Shoulder instability or dislocation can alter the joint’s mechanics and lead to impingement.

The Need for Imaging to Get a Precise Diagnosis

It’s essential to recognize that shoulder impingement cannot always be fully diagnosed through symptoms alone. Imaging techniques such as X-rays, MRIs, or ultrasounds are necessary to determine the exact cause of the impingement and assess the severity of the damage. These imaging tools provide a clear picture of the bones, tendons, and soft tissues in the shoulder, allowing healthcare providers to create an accurate diagnosis and recommend the best course of treatment.

The Pain Relief Clinic: Your Partner in Finding a Clear Diagnosis

At The Pain Relief Clinic, we have over a decade of experience helping people with shoulder impingement. We take a non-invasive, comprehensive approach to diagnosing the root cause of your pain and developing a personalized treatment plan. If you’ve been living with shoulder impingement and haven’t found lasting relief, we can arrange for affordable scans, typically within one working day. Medisave can often be used to cover the cost of these scans, making them a more affordable option.

We also assist with insurance claims, including accident insurance, travel insurance, and company insurance, ensuring you have access to the care you need without the financial strain.

Once we have a clear diagnosis, we can provide targeted treatments to alleviate your shoulder impingement and restore your shoulder’s function and mobility.

Ready to take control of your shoulder pain? Send us a message today to arrange an appointment and begin your journey toward lasting relief from shoulder impingement.