This week I saw two patients in two days presenting with exactly the same complaint – a niggling pain around their shoulder blade (scapula). Both walked out astounded. One was a middle aged gentleman who had it for the past week and a half, and the other was a middle aged lady who had it only for two days. Heat packs and massages provided only temporary relief. Pain medications including anti-inflammatories were used with mild effect. One of my patients was on opioid pain killers (a strong but highly addictive drug) for chronic pain and even that wasn’t seeming to help much.
On examination, the pain was determined to be muscular and likely from the rhomboid muscle. This muscle helps to pull the shoulder blade together. It was either strained or spasmed – quite tender to press on. Muscular strain / spasm causes pain which in turn causes the body to further spasm in response. This forms a positive feedback cycle keeping the muscle constantly in strain/spasm. Unless you break the cycle, the condition won’t get better.
I proposed to apply the laser acupuncture to the ear to treat the condition. I got a funny look from both patients. I get this all the time. Being great sports, that let me do it anyway. After pinpointing the right point, I applied 5 seconds of the laser acupuncture on the ear. I then asked them to move their shoulder blade – the pain was 90 – 95% gone! They could move their shoulder and shoulder blade freely! They did not require any further sessions. My next step was to send them to the physiotherapist but I didn’t need to in the end.
Ear or auricular acupuncture works in much the same principle as reflexology* only that its based on the whole human body being represented on the ear, instead of the sole of the foot. But how does it work I hear? The ears have a profound amount of neural pathways running in and out of it – an important one being the vagus nerve. If you hit the right point (easier said than done), then it stimulates the central nervous system to in turn send signals to the affected area providing an analgaesic, anti-inflammatory and generally homeostatic effect. The exact pathways aren’t fully understood currently. Google Auricular Acupuncture for more info if curious!
I consider myself to be a novice in this acupuncture style and am definitely not an authority in this art. There are a lot better auricular acupuncturists out there including my teachers. However, these cases shows what profound effects this style of acupuncture can achieve.
*reflexology is based on the principle that the whole body is represented on the sole of the foot. Tenderness of a particular area may indicate pathology of the corresponding body part/organ. Massage or acupressure of that tender point on the foot will alleviate symptoms of the corresponding body part. Note that I do not practice reflexology nor have I received any treatment. However, because it works for the ear, then I imagine it might also work for the foot.
