Clinical Observations on Treatment of Shoulder Periarthritis by Warm Needling

Objective To investigate the clinical therapeutic effect of warm needling on shoulder periarthritis.Methods Ninety-eight shoulder periarthritis patients were randomly allocated to warm needling and electroacupuncture groups.Points Jianyu(LI 15),Jianliao(TE 14) and Tianzong(SI 11) were selected for treatment of both groups.Treatment was given once daily.One course of treatment consisted of 10 times.The therapeutic effects were compared after three courses of treatment.Results The total efficacy rate was 91.8% in the warm needling group and 81.6% in the electroacupuncture group;there was a statistically significant difference between the two groups(P0.05).There was a statistically significant difference in the relief of shoulder arthralgia between the warm needling and electroacupuncture groups(P0.01).There was also a statistically significant difference in shoulder joint motor function between the warm needling and electroacupuncture groups(P0.01).Conclusion The therapeutic effect of warm needling on shoulder periarthritis is superior to that of electroacupuncture in relieving pain and improving shoulder joint motor function.