Is massage effective for treating shoulder periarthritis? Massage therapy for shoulder periarthritis

Massage for shoulder periarthritis is usually effective in relieving pain and improving shoulder joint mobility. Tuina therapy for shoulder periarthritis mainly works by relaxing adhesions, promoting blood circulation, and reducing inflammation. There are mainly techniques such as local acupoints, rolling for relaxation, elastic pulling of tendons, shaking for traction, and rubbing for relaxation. It is recommended to conduct the procedure under the guidance of a professional traditional Chinese medicine practitioner to avoid aggravating the injury through violent operations.

Tuina has a significant effect on early shoulder periarthritis, where shoulder joint adhesion is relatively mild. By tapping acupoints such as the shoulder well and Tianzong, combined with gentle rolling techniques, muscle spasms can be effectively relieved. The joint capsule of the mid-term patient has developed fibrosis, and it is necessary to use the plucking technique to release the adhered tissues such as the long head tendon of the biceps brachii muscle, and gradually expand the range of joint movement with shaking. For patients with severe adhesions in the later stage, the massage effect is limited and may require a combination of acupuncture or small needle knife treatment. During the massage process, there may be a brief feeling of soreness and swelling, but persistent severe pain needs to be stopped immediately. Cold dampness type shoulder periarthritis can be treated with moxibustion to enhance its therapeutic effect, while those with qi and blood deficiency should reduce the intensity of manual stimulation.

After massage, pay attention to keeping the shoulders warm and avoid lifting heavy objects or overuse of the affected limb. Daily rehabilitation exercises such as climbing walls and shaking hands can be carried out to consolidate the therapeutic effect, and the affected shoulder should not be under pressure during sleep. If the symptoms do not improve after 3-5 massage sessions, it is recommended to complete magnetic resonance imaging to rule out lesions such as rotator cuff injury. The diet should be warm and tonifying the liver and kidney, and a moderate amount of Tonic Diet such as Eucommia Pig Kidney Soup, Angelica Sinensis Ginger and Mutton Soup should be taken to assist in conditioning.