Struggling with the pain and immobility of frozen shoulder can feel like a frustrating cycle of limited movement and constant discomfort. If you’ve tried traditional treatments with little success, there’s a promising alternative to consider: dry needling. This modern technique targets tight muscles and trigger points in a way that can alleviate pain, improve movement, and help you regain control over your daily activities.
Could dry needling be the key to freeing your shoulder? Discover how this innovative approach could restore your mobility and quality of life.
What is frozen shoulder?
Before exploring dry needling, let’s understand frozen shoulder, also called adhesive capsulitis.
This condition restricts movement and causes shoulder pain in three stages:
- Initial Phase (Freezing): Pain and stiffness start gradually.
- Limited Motion Phase (Frozen): Pain may lessen, but stiffness peaks.
- Recovery Phase (Thawing): Range of motion begins to improve.
Frozen shoulder may develop due to various factors, such as:
- Prolonged immobility (from surgery or injury)
- Underlying health conditions (e.g., diabetes, thyroid issues)
- Age (common in ages 40-60)
- Gender (more frequent in women)
This painful restriction can make daily tasks—like reaching, dressing, and even sleeping—a constant challenge.
Understanding dry needling as a therapy
Dry needling involves inserting thin, sterile needles into targeted muscles and tissues to relieve pain and tension. Unlike acupuncture, it’s rooted in modern medical practices, aimed at releasing muscle knots and trigger points.
The “dry” in dry needling means no substance is injected; instead, dry needling stimulates tissues to alleviate discomfort and promote healing.
Dry needling releases muscle tension & target points
One of dry needling’s main benefits for frozen shoulder is reducing tension around the shoulder joint. When a needle enters a tight muscle, it often triggers a brief twitch and relaxation, releasing pain and tension. Key muscles impacted by frozen shoulder—such as the rotator cuff, deltoid, and other shoulder stabilizers—often benefit from this relief, making movement less painful.
Dry needling is known for improving blood flow
Another advantage of dry needling is enhancing blood flow to the affected shoulder. Improved circulation delivers essential nutrients and oxygen to tissues, promoting healing and easing inflammation.
Boosted blood flow also helps eliminate inflammatory compounds and waste products, reducing stiffness and pain, and aiding recovery.
Dry needling harnesses your body’s natural pain relief
Dry needling can stimulate your body’s pain-relief processes by prompting the release of endorphins, which provide natural pain relief. The procedure can also help adjust pain signals to your brain, helping alleviate pain even after treatment.
Dry needling unlocks mobility & flexibility
One of frozen shoulder’s biggest challenges is limited mobility. Dry needling can help by releasing tense muscles, making it easier to regain shoulder flexibility and range of motion. Enhanced mobility can also make exercises and stretches more effective, accelerating recovery and preventing recurrence.
Dry needling can correcting muscle imbalances
Dry needling can help address muscle imbalances that may contribute to frozen shoulder. By focusing on specific muscle groups, it eases tension in overworked areas, allowing weakened muscles to engage more effectively and improve balance in the shoulder.
What a dry needling session for frozen shoulder looks like
If you’re considering dry needling, here’s an overview of a typical session:
- Initial Assessment: Your practitioner will discuss your medical history and goals, assessing shoulder mobility and pinpointing tense areas.
- Explaining the Procedure: One of our experienced practitioners will outline what to expect, ensuring you feel at ease.
- Positioning: You’ll be positioned comfortably, allowing access to the shoulder area.
- Needle Insertion: Our experienced team will insert thin, sterile needles into target points around the shoulder, typically causing only mild discomfort.
- Trigger Response: You may feel a slight twitch or ache as the needle reaches a trigger point—a positive response indicating effective targeting.
- Treatment Duration: Needles remain for 10-30 minutes to allow relaxation.
- Post-Treatment Guidance: One of our practitioners may suggest stretches or self-care tips to extend the benefits of treatment.
Determining your treatment timeline
The number of sessions needed can vary. Some people experience relief after a few sessions, while others benefit from ongoing treatment over weeks or months. Your practitioner will develop a personalized plan based on your condition’s stage and severity.
Could dry needling be your solution?
Dry needling may be particularly helpful if:
- You’re in the early stages of frozen shoulder
- Traditional treatments haven’t brought relief
- You want a minimally invasive option with fewer medications
- You’re ready to actively participate in recovery
However, it may not be suitable for everyone. Those with certain medical conditions, like bleeding disorders, should discuss options with their healthcare provider.
Can you integrate dry needling with other treatments?
Absolutely! Dry needling often works best alongside other therapies. Your practitioner may recommend combining it with:
- Stretching and range-of-motion exercises
- Physical therapy
- Heat or cold application
- Manual therapies, like joint mobilization
- Lifestyle modifications to reduce strain
By taking a multi-faceted approach, you can target frozen shoulder from all angles to achieve more lasting relief.
Book with our team today
Dry needling offers a promising approach to frozen shoulder, potentially reducing muscle tension, improving circulation, and promoting natural pain relief. At Lycoming Orthopedics & Sports Acupuncture, our experienced team specializes in this technique, providing compassionate care throughout your recovery journey.
If traditional methods haven’t yielded the results you hoped for, consider exploring dry needling with us. Our welcoming staff is committed to supporting you at every stage, from initial consultation to final treatment. We’ll assess your condition and determine if dry needling is right for you, tailoring our approach to your specific needs.
Remember, overcoming frozen shoulder takes time and persistence. With our expertise in dry needling and dedication to your progress, we can help you work towards better shoulder function and a return to your favorite activities. Let Lycoming Orthopedics & Sports Acupuncture be your partner in recovery, guiding you towards improved mobility and reduced pain.