Shoulder Pain

Shoulder pain affects nearly 18% of adults and can make simple tasks, like reaching overhead or sleeping on your side, major challenges. Dr. Shangyou Zhong at Sunyo Acupuncture Center in San Juan Capistrano and Santa Monica, California, treats shoulder pain using targeted acupuncture techniques that address both muscle tension and joint inflammation. This integrated approach combines motion acupuncture, cupping therapy, and massage to restore shoulder mobility and reduce pain. Call Sunyo Acupuncture Center or request an appointment online today.

What is shoulder pain?

Shoulder pain happens when any part of your shoulder joint gets irritated, inflamed, or injured. Your shoulder is made up of several joints, muscles, tendons, and ligaments working together, which is why shoulder problems can be so complicated to diagnose.

The pain may stay in your shoulder area, or it can radiate down your arm or up into your neck. Sometimes what feels like shoulder pain actually starts in your neck or upper back, while other times true shoulder problems create pain that spreads to other areas.

What causes shoulder pain?

Several different problems can create shoulder pain:

• Rotator cuff injuries from overuse or sudden movements
• Frozen shoulder that limits movement in all directions
• Impingement, where tendons get pinched during movement
• Bursitis causes inflammation around the joint
• Arthritis wears down cartilage over time
• Muscle strain from poor posture or repetitive motions

Age can also cause shoulder pain. After 40, your rotator cuff tendons start wearing down naturally, making injuries more likely. 

What are the symptoms of shoulder pain?

Shoulder pain shows up differently depending on what’s causing it:

• Constant ache that worsens with movement
• Sharp pain during specific motions like reaching overhead
• Stiffness, especially in the morning or after sitting still
• Limited range of motion 
• Weakness in the arm from avoiding painful movements
• Sleep problems from lying on the affected shoulder
• Difficulty finding comfortable positions

Many people notice their symptoms worsening with certain activities, while rest often provides some relief.

How does shoulder pain treatment work?

Sunyo Acupuncture Center uses several approaches to treat shoulder pain and restore normal function:

Motion acupuncture 

This technique involves placing needles around the shoulder joint while you actively move your arm through various ranges of motion. Moving during treatment helps pinpoint exactly where the problem occurs and targets those specific areas more effectively than keeping your shoulder still.

Traditional acupuncture 

Needles placed around your shoulder joint and along arm meridians help reduce inflammation and improve circulation to promote healing.

Cupping therapy 

Cupping improves blood flow to tight shoulder muscles and helps release adhesions in the soft tissue around your joint.

Massage therapy 

Therapeutic massage targets muscle tension in your shoulders, neck, and upper back that contributes to pain and limited movement.

To schedule a shoulder pain consultation, call Sunyo Acupuncture Center or request one online today.