Can shoulder periarthritis be treated with gua sha?

As people age—or sometimes due to sudden inattention—the shoulder may become injured. Some individuals develop periarthritis of the shoulder (also known as “frozen shoulder”), a painful condition characterized by significant shoulder pain and restricted range of motion. Therefore, proactive prevention and management of periarthritis of the shoulder are essential in daily life, including protecting the shoulder joint. When necessary, medical evaluation and treatment at a hospital should be sought. So, can gua sha (scraping therapy) be used for periarthritis of the shoulder?

Can Gua Sha Be Used for Periarthritis of the Shoulder?

Yes, patients with periarthritis of the shoulder may undergo gua sha. This therapy can be combined with acupuncture, physical therapy, moxibustion, cupping, acupuncture-point puncture, or bloodletting to enhance its effects—particularly promoting blood circulation, resolving blood stasis, expelling pathogenic factors, and detoxifying the body. Functional exercises are highly beneficial for relieving pain associated with periarthritis of the shoulder. Gua sha helps regulate qi and blood flow, activate circulation, resolve stasis, unblock meridians and collaterals, and eliminate pathogenic influences and toxins. It aids in the absorption and resolution of inflammatory edema around the shoulder joint, alleviates pain, softens adhesions and contractures of ligaments and the joint capsule, and thereby supports functional rehabilitation exercises.

For patients with periarthritis of the shoulder, it is recommended to consume fresh fruits and vegetables to ensure adequate nutrition, while avoiding greasy, spicy, and cold foods. A nourishing porridge made with white peony root (Bai Shao) and peach kernel (Tao Ren) is advisable. Patients should avoid foods cooked in iron woks, seafood, alcohol, and coffee. In daily life, maintaining warmth and preventing colds is crucial. Applying warm compresses to the affected shoulder for 10–15 minutes each evening for approximately one month is also recommended. Regarding medications, options such as ibuprofen (Fen Bi De), celecoxib (Xi Le Bao), or voltaren gel (Fu Ta Lin) may be considered—but only one should be selected, under the guidance of a physician.

If symptoms of periarthritis of the shoulder appear, prompt medical consultation is essential to prevent disease progression. We hope this information proves helpful to you.