Can pregnant women receive acupuncture therapy for shoulder periarthritis?
Disease description:
I am a pregnant woman. Due to my job, I have to sit for long periods and often overexert myself, which has led to shoulder periarthritis. A colleague suggested that acupuncture and physical therapy could help relieve the pain, but I'm uncertain. So, can pregnant women receive acupuncture treatment for shoulder periarthritis?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Lin Yunfei
Pregnant women with periarthritis of the shoulder may refuse acupuncture treatment, as it could potentially lead to miscarriage in some physically weak pregnant individuals. Periarthritis of the shoulder is a common condition, usually caused by excessive strain on the shoulder joint, severe shoulder injury, or exposure to cold. For pregnant women, hormonal and metabolic changes during pregnancy are likely to impair blood circulation in the shoulder joint, thereby worsening periarthritis. There are various methods to relieve pain from periarthritis, such as oral analgesics, heat application, acupuncture, massage, and cupping therapy. However, since medication intake during pregnancy may have uncertain effects on the fetus, physical therapies are generally preferred. Nevertheless, acupuncture is not recommended for pregnant women.
