How to Do Moxibustion at Home for Shoulder Pain

Frozen shoulder is a common shoulder problem, and many people who prefer to perform moxibustion at home often encounter the question, “How to Do Moxibustion at Home for Shoulder Pain.” In fact, by applying moxibustion to specific acupoints, you can effectively alleviate pain, improve circulation, and relieve stiffness in the shoulder area, helping you overcome frozen shoulder and restore health and comfort.

Causes and Dangers of Frozen Shoulder

Frozen shoulder, also known as “fifty-year-old shoulder”, is characterized by shoulder pain and limited mobility. Its causes are complex and may be related to prolonged exertion, exposure to cold, or injury.

If not treated in time, frozen shoulder can lead to stiffness and greatly affect daily life and work. The danger lies not only in the pain but also in possible complications such as muscle atrophy and joint adhesion. In severe cases, long-term neglect may even cause issues like whiplash or rotator cuff injuries.

Therefore, once you experience shoulder pain or restricted movement, it’s essential to seek medical advice and take effective treatment measures. In addition, learning how to do Moxibustion at Home for Shoulder Pain can be a valuable way to relieve discomfort, promote circulation, and support recovery as part of your daily health routine.

Principles and Advantages of Moxibustion

Moxibustion is a traditional Chinese medicine treatment. It stimulates the body’s acupoints through the heat and medicinal effects produced by burning moxa to warm the meridians, dispel cold, and relieve pain.

The heat from moxa can penetrate deep into the skin, promoting local blood flow and relaxing tense muscles, thus effectively improving the symptoms of frozen shoulder. Compared with medication, moxibustion has no side effects, and the effects are longer lasting.

The benefit of moxibustion is that it tones the body as a whole. It not only reduces localized pain but also regulates the whole body’s qi and blood, strengthens immunity, and fundamentally improves the physique.

In addition, moxibustion is easy to operate and suitable for self-care at home. Understanding and learning how to do moxibustion at home for shoulder pain, and performing it regularly, can help prevent the recurrence of frozen shoulder and help patients return to a healthy life.

How to Do Moxibustion at Home for Shoulder Pain: Key Acupuncture Point

Key Acupuncture Point 1: Jianjing (GB 21)

• Location: Located at the highest point of the shoulder, the Jianjing (GB 21) is one of the most important points for treating frozen shoulder.
• Function: Moxibustion at the Jianjing (GB 21) can unclog the meridians of the shoulder, relieve muscle tension, and improve blood flow.
• The specific method of operation is:
  • After lighting the moxa sticks, aim them at the Jianjing (GB 21), keeping a proper distance, to feel warm and comfortable.
  • Moxibustion for 15-20 minutes each time, once a day.
• Effect:
  • Moxibustion at the Jianjing (GB21) point is very effective, especially for shoulder pain caused by cold or overexertion. By performing moxibustion regularly, you can gradually relieve shoulder stiffness and restore joint mobility.
  • To avoid burns, pay attention to the heat level during treatment. If you have sensitive skin, shorten the session time or increase the distance appropriately. With consistent moxibustion on the Jianjing (GB21) point, you’ll notice a significant reduction in shoulder pain and improved comfort.

Key Acupuncture Point 2: Tianzong (SI 11)

• Location: Located in the center of the shoulder blade, Tianzong (SI 11) is a key point for toning the shoulder blade area.
• Effects: Moxibustion of the Tianzong (SI 11) can penetrate deep into the scapula area to relieve shoulder and back pain and improve symptoms of limited shoulder movement.
• The specific method of operation is:
  • Aim the moxa stick at the Tianzong (SI 11) to feel warmth and penetration.
  • Moxibustion for 15-20 minutes each time, once a day, 10 consecutive days as a course of treatment.
• Effect:
  • Moxibustion at the Tianzong (SI11) point is particularly effective for patients with chronic frozen shoulder. The heat stimulation from moxibustion helps reduce local inflammation, relieve muscle adhesions, and restore normal shoulder function.
  • In addition, moxibustion at the Tianzong (SI11) point can also help improve related symptoms, such as headaches and insomnia that often accompany frozen shoulder. With regular moxibustion, you’ll notice that your shoulder moves more freely and the pain gradually fades away.

Key Acupuncture Point 3: Jianzhen (SI 9)

• Location: The Jianzhen (SI 9) is located at the back of the shoulder joint and can be used to treat frozen shoulder.
• Effects: Moxibustion of the Jianzhen (SI 9) can relieve pain in the back of the shoulder and improve the function of abduction and internal rotation of the shoulder.
• The specific operation method is:
  • After lighting the moxa sticks, aim them at the Jianzhen (SI 9) and keep them at a proper distance to feel warm and comfortable.
  • Moxibustion for 15-20 minutes each time, once a day.
• Effect:
  • Moxibustion at the Jianzhen (SI9) point is very helpful for the recovery of frozen shoulder. The heat stimulation from moxibustion helps promote local blood circulation, accelerate the reduction of inflammation, and relieve muscle spasms.
  • In addition, moxibustion at the Jianzhen (SI9) point can help prevent the recurrence of frozen shoulder and restore normal shoulder function. With regular moxibustion, you’ll notice a significant reduction in shoulder pain and a better quality of life.

Precautions and Daily Care of Moxibustion

Although moxibustion is very effective, you need to pay attention to some things.

• You should avoid having an empty stomach or eating too much before moxibustion to prevent discomfort.
• People with sensitive skin should shorten the moxibustion time or increase the distance to avoid burns.
• After moxibustion, you should pay attention to keep warm and avoid getting cold, so as not to affect the effect.
• If allergic reactions such as skin redness, swelling, and itching occur, stop moxibustion immediately and consult a doctor.

In addition to moxibustion treatment, daily care is also important.

• Keep your shoulders warm in your daily life
• Avoid keeping the same position for a long time at work.
• Appropriate functional shoulder exercises, such as wall-climbing exercises and pendulum exercises.
• Maintaining good living habits, avoiding overwork, and strengthening physical fitness are also important measures to prevent the recurrence of frozen shoulder.

By combining moxibustion with proper daily care, you can effectively relieve frozen shoulder and regain your health and comfort. Learning how to do moxibustion at home for shoulder pain will help you continue your recovery safely and effectively.