Treating scapulohumeral periarthritis by acupuncture

Scapulohumeral periarthritis refers to a kind of soft tissue disorder of the shoulder due to retrograde disease aggravated by long-term sprain and attack of cold or traumatic injury that lead to chronic inflammation of the joint capsule and the soft tissues around the joint, extensive adhesion of the peripheral tissues and restriction of the movement of shoulder joint. It is usually seen among people over 50. Clinical manifestations are aching, heaviness and pain in the shoulder as well as dysfunction of the shoulder in movement. This disease pertains to the conception of obstructive syndrome in TCM. it is caused either by invasion of pathogenic wind, cold and dampness due to asthenia; or by weakness in the aged and malnutrition of tendons and vessels; or by stagnation of qi and blood as well as retention of dampness and phlegm that block the meridians, prevent the flow qi and blood and lead to dysfunction of the tendons and vessels.

Syndrome differentiation

1. Wind-cold attacking the exterior

Short duration, pain, aching and heaviness in the shoulder, or pain involving the back and arm, aggravation in the night, restricted movement, alleviation with warmth and aggravation after the attack by wind and cold.

2. Retention of pathogenic factors due to asthenia of healthy qi

Lingering duration, evident restriction in lifting, abduction and intorsion, or atrophy of local muscles and cold sensation in the arm.

Treatment

1.   1. Body acupuncture

Prescription: LI15, TE14, Jianqian(Ext.), LI11 and Ashi acupoints.

Modification: For syndrome of wind-cold attacking the exterior, SI9, GB21, GB20, TE15 and LI4 are added; for pain involving the back, SI13 and SI11 are added; for pain involving the upper arm, LI14, LI10, ST 36, GB34 and ST 38 are added.

Performance: Several acupoints are selected each time according to the pathological conditions. Reducing needling technique is used in treating the syndrome of wind-cold attacking the exterior; retention of pathogenic factors due to asthenia and sthenia and should be treated with mild reinforcing and reducing techniques. ST36 is needled with reinforcing needling technique. ST38 located on the affected side is needled with the point of the needle pointing to the direction of BL57. The patient is asked to move the shoulder joint during the manipulation of the needle. Moxibustion can be used in addition and cupping way be applied for reinforcement of the curative effect.

2.   2. Ear acupuncture

Prescription: SF4, SF5, SF6 and TF4.

Performance: Medium and strong stimulation , retention of the needles for 20-30 minutes, once a ady.

Written by Zhao Jingsheng