Arm and Shoulder Issues

Arm and Shoulder Pain

Are you having trouble playing your favourite sport?
Do you avoid reaching for things on the top shelf?
Are you losing productivity because wrist pain is stopping you from typing and working?
Do you have trouble lifting your kids or grandkids because your arms or shoulders hurt?

Acupuncture resolves these issues and more without drugs or surgery.

How Acupuncture Supports Healing

After an injury, you want to support your body’s healing. Acupuncture reduces the healing time and pain while healing.

Acupuncture works by:

• Improving circulation so your body has the energy it needs to heal.
• Reducing inflammation, which reduces pain.
• Reducing healing time.
• Releasing tension around the injury, especially tense tight muscles and facia.
• Improving the range of motion in the injured joint.

Shoulder Pain

Shoulder pain is complex and can be caused by many different issues including:

• Injury to the rotator cuff
• Bursitis
• Arthritis
• Frozen shoulder
• Sprains and Strains
• Trauma or Sports injuries
• Tendinitis
• Thoracic outlet syndrome
• Dislocation or Subluxations

The most common cause of shoulder pain is an injury to the rotator cuff.

Shoulder Pain Due to Rotator Cuff Injuries

There are four big muscles that make up the rotator cuff of the shoulder.

• Supraspinatus
• Infraspinatus
• Teres Minor
• Subscapularis

When one or more of those muscles are injured the shoulder hurts, it can be stiff, there can be red swelling, weakness, nighttime pain, and loss of function. This can make it hard to work, play, and relax. Overuse and repetitive strain in these muscles are common in people who work with their arms overhead for extended periods of time like tradespeople and folks who enjoy overhead sports.

Most rotator cuff injuries will heal with acupuncture, physiotherapy, massage, and therapeutic exercises. In the few cases where those are unsuccessful, shoulder surgery can be considered.

Wrist and Hand Pain

Wrist and hand pain can be due to:

• Trauma such as falling on an outstretched hand also know as a FOOSH
• Hand cramps due to overuse or stress
• Carpal tunnel syndrome
• Rheumatoid arthritis or osteoarthritis
• Repetitive stress
• Ganglion cysts
• Sports injuries

Dr. Melanie Morrill Ac. is able to assess your hand and wrist, understand the root cause of the pain or dysfunction, and treat the root cause. By getting to the bottom of the pain we can resolve it quickly so you can use your wrists and hands without discomfort. Acupuncture can quickly resolve these aches and pains.

Elbow Pain

Elbow pain usually fits into three categories:

• Pain on the inside of the elbow also known as medial elbow pain or golfers elbow
• Pain on the outside of the elbow also known as lateral elbow pain or tennis elbow
• General elbow pain where the entire elbow hurts

Golfers and tennis players may be more likely to have pain, but they are not the only ones who get it. It is possible to have golfer’s elbow or tennis elbow without ever picking up a golf club or tennis racquet. Early treatment of elbow pain is key to minimizing recovery time and avoiding taking time off work or sports.

Tight muscles in the arm and forearm are usually responsible for elbow pain. Acupuncture and cupping will release those tight muscles and stop elbow pain.