Dr Maggie Ju Acupuncture London Chelsea, North Kensington, Notting Hill, and Richmond

Shoulder impingement is a common orthopedic condition that affects millions of people worldwide. It occurs when the rotator cuff tendons in the shoulder become compressed or irritated, leading to pain and discomfort. This condition can significantly impact a person's daily life, making it essential to understand its causes, symptoms, and acupuncture is one of the treatment option. Causes of Shoulder Impingement Shoulder impingement typically develops gradually, often due to repetitive overhead activities or poor shoulder mechanics. Some common causes include: Overuse: Activities such as painting, swimming, weightlifting, or playing tennis can lead to overuse of the shoulder joint, causing wear and tear on the tendons over time. Anatomical Factors: Certain individuals may have structural abnormalities, such as a hooked acromion (a bone at the top of the shoulder blade), which increases the risk of impingement. Muscle Weakness or Imbalance: Weakness or imbalance in the muscles suppor...

Shoulder pain is a common complaint that can be caused by a variety of conditions, one of which is a rotator cuff tear. The rotator cuff is a group of four muscles and tendons that surround the shoulder joint, providing stability and allowing for a wide range of motion. When one or more of these tendons become damaged or torn, it can lead to significant discomfort and functional limitations. The Anatomy of the Rotator Cuff To better understand rotator cuff tears and their relationship to shoulder pain, it's essential to grasp the anatomy of the shoulder joint. The rotator cuff comprises four muscles: the supraspinatus, infraspinatus, teres minor, and subscapularis. These muscles originate from the scapula (shoulder blade) and attach to the head of the humerus (upper arm bone). Together, they form a cuff around the humeral head, stabilizing the shoulder joint and facilitating arm movements. Causes of Rotator Cuff Tears Rotator cuff tears can be classified into two main categories: t...

Trapezius muscle Trapezius muscle is a broad triangular muscle at neck and upper back, one of the largest superficial muscles at the back. It attaches to the base of the skull and extends down to the neck, the upper back until mid-back; laterally it inserts to the shoulder blades. There are three functional regions to the muscle: the Upper, middle, and lower trapezius, and each region has its own function: upper region moves the shoulder blades and support the arms; the middle region retracts the shoulder blades, and the lower region rotates and depresses the shoulder blades. Pain caused from this muscle may be on the top of the shoulder, neck, mid back and/or upper shoulder pain; pain at the back of the shoulder blade which could go down the inside of the arm to the ring and little fingers. Latissimus dorsi Latissimus dorsi is the largest flat muscle at the back. This muscle is involved in adducting the arms, extending the shoulders, and rotating shoulder joints medially. It also play...