Do You have a Patient with a Supraspinatus Tear? Acupuncture as an Assessment is a Useful Method

In cases of a partial tear of the supraspinatus, which can heal non-surgically, the combination of acupuncture, TCM modalities and exercise prescription is an excellent treatment method to get the patient back to health and activity.

When a patient comes to see an acupuncturist with a partial tear of the supraspinatus, the following technique has proven to be very resourceful. The author created this technique “Acupuncture as an Assessment” to establish if acupuncture is a useful modality for treating the torn supraspinatus and provide a prognosis for the condition.

Check out this video of a practitioner who has a partial tear of the supraspinatus myotendinous junction from a recent Module IV: Neck, Shoulder and Upper Extremity course in the Sports Medicine Acupuncture Certification Program.

In this video, the practitioner’s supraspinatus tested painful and weak with manual muscle testing (MMT). After stimulating SI 12 (motor point of the supraspinatus) with a specific needle technique, the initial MMT assessment completely changed, which is a good sign that proprioception and strength has the potential to return without surgery. Proprioception and strength gains should be re-assessed every 2-3 weeks.

Acupuncture as an Assessment Step-by-Step:

1. The practitioner can assess the muscle through various evaluation techniques: orthopedic assessments, manual muscle tests, palpation and functional movement tests to assess for dysfunctional range of motion, muscle imbalances or pain.
2. Acupuncture to specific motor and acupuncture points is used to make changes in range of motion, muscle imbalances and pain levels. In most cases, needles are kept in place while the evaluative test(s) are repeated.
3. Needles are removed once assessment is complete. The points that made the positive change to range of motion, muscle imbalances and/or pain levels are used again in the comprehensive acupuncture treatment protocol. In some cases, needle stimulation is obtained and then needle is removed before the re evaluation is repeated e.g. a supraspinatus partial tear using Acupuncture as an Assessment.