Contralateral Acupuncture in the Treatment of Chronic Shoulder Pain

Phase II Study of Contralateral Acupuncture in the Treatment of Chronic Shoulder Pain

According to traditional Chinese medical theories, a variety of acupuncture formulas can treat diseases such as pain. For example, stimulating acupoints either local or distal to the pain site has been proposed under some conditions. We hypothesize that stimulating acupoints contralateral to the pain site can successfully treat chronic shoulder pain.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Uni-lateral shoulder pain for 6 weeks to 2 years
• VAS score ≤ 50
• 25-65 years of age
• Positive Neer's or Hawkins' signs
• Accept the informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

• Shoulder pain of neurological origins
• Shoulder pain of neck origins
• Systematic arthritis
• Wrist problems
• Previous shoulder, arm, neck or chest fractures or surgeries
• Mental diseases
• Pregnancy
• Inability to work for more than 3 months before treatment
• Diabetes
• Coagulative dysfunction
• Corticosterone or physicotherapy experience on the affected shoulder in the last 6 months
• Failure to accept the informed consent