Good afternoon Readers!

Today we’re going to talk a little bit about the patient who suffers from shoulder pain.

Patients suffering from bursitis, tendonitis or who are undergoing recovery from surgery on the shoulder joint usually take a long time to recover 100%, so it is interesting to evaluate how we can return range of motion and reduce pain in a shorter time. possible.

For these cases, a good tip is to associate the knowledge of Acupuncture and Dry Needling. Although the Dry Needling technique is not as complex as Chinese Acupuncture, it derives from oriental knowledge and should be studied by all professionals who handle needles.

When we treat energy meridians, we are not always able to release all patient’s pain, as they may suffer from the presence of myofascial trigger points.

Myofascial trigger points are areas of the muscle that suffer from hypoxia, that is, they lack blood and oxygen, due to their pre-existing inflammation or because of an accident with direct trauma. Usually, in cases of shoulder problems, the muscles most affected by trigger points are:

• Subscapularis
• Small Round
• Latissimus Dorsi
• Supraspinatus

It is important that the therapist finds the trigger point through palpation, to know if they’re causing reflex pain signal in the patient. If so, the affected muscle must be needled deeply. After approximately 3 minutes of this type of needling, the patient will be able perform the restricted movement with greater amplitude.

An important observation is that, like traditional acupuncture points, trigger points also have a correct location, and there is no need to needle a large muscle extension.

In addition to the dry needling the therapist should place needles at points that help to restore the circulation of blood and energy in the affected joint. Good local action points are:

• LI-14
• LI-15
• SI-11
• GB-21
• LU-3

And of distal action, we can use the points GB-34 and GB-39 that will nourish the muscles and tendons in general.

It is evident that the therapist should use other tools such as moxotherapy, electrotherapy, auriculotherapy and other resources if the patient does not improve between the first 3 sessions, however, if the points indicated in this article are correctly placed, it is certain that the patient will improve already in the first session.

I hope you enjoyed it and it will be useful.

A big hug to everyone!

Profa. Fernanda Mara

Good morning Readers

Today we are going to talk a little about Lateral Epicondylitis, also known as Tennis Elbow.

Epicondylitis is a pain, inflammation or even a wear that affects the tendons of the elbow muscles, which originates in the epicondyles. Epicondyles are the bony protrusions at the end of the arm bone, the humerus.

The most common symptoms of epicondylitis are: pain or sensivity over the lateral epicondyle, which radiate along the extensor muscles, reaching up to the wrist, pain that is aggravated by small movements of the elbow, which can disturb and impair the performance of common activities, such as brushing your teeth, opening a door, writing or lifting a full glass.

For Traditional Chinese Medicine, there is no specific syndrome to explain the appearance of lateral epicondylitis, and it may be just a muscle involvement or even a Liver imbalance, failing in the nutrition of the tendons.

To find out if the Liver is affected, it is necessary for the acupuncturist to evaluate other symptoms in the patient. Cramps, dry eyes, brittle nails and pallor on the side of the tongue are some examples. If the therapist concludes that there is a Deficiency of Liver Blood, some points such as LR8, LR3 and a combination of points that tone the blood, such as ST36, SP6, PC6 and CV4 are indicated, in addition to local points that will directly relieve symptoms of the patient.

There is also the possibility that the patient does not suffer from any Liver energy imbalance, having only one muscle injury due to direct trauma or overuse. In these cases, we can use Tendinomuscular Meridians, which have no connection with the internal organs, but have the ability to deflame the muscles and tendons.

Another option to treat lateral epicondylitis, in addition to the tendinomuscular points, is the use of local points, such as LI11, LU5, PC3, SJ10 or even the application of dry needling in the trigger points that eventually appear in the region.

The trigger point that commonly appears in cases of epicondylitis is the trigger point of the Brachioradial muscle. Deep needling in this region with the needle facing the elbow joint will instantly relieve the pain.

Other resources such as cupping and Gua Chá, made with light pressure, just to improve blood supply and drain inflammation or even direct or indirect moxa can be applied.

Guiding the patient to use magnets on the local pain will also speed up recovery.

For Chinese Medicine, the combination of available techniques is capable of improving 100% cases of epicondylitis.

Practice and tell me later.

A big hug to everyone.

Profa. Fernanda Mara