Introduction

Weightlifters frequently experience shoulder pain when lifting weights due to the high demands placed on the shoulder, rotator cuff, deltoid, and surrounding musculature. Over time, repetitive overhead movements and heavy lifting can lead to conditions such as shoulder impingement, rotator cuff injuries, and reduced mobility. Evidence-based treatments like acupuncture and dry needling provide effective pain relief and functional improvement without relying on pharmaceuticals or invasive procedures.

Common Causes of Shoulder Pain in Weightlifters

Weightlifting-related shoulder pain typically stems from:

• Shoulder Impingement Syndrome: Compression of the rotator cuff tendons between the acromion and humeral head leads to inflammation and pain (Cools et al., 2015).
• Rotator Cuff Injuries: Microtears or tendonitis in the supraspinatus, infraspinatus, and subscapularis muscles cause pain and dysfunction (Lewis, 2016).
• Restricted Shoulder Mobility: Tightness in the trapezius, deltoid, and pectoral muscles reduces range of motion and alters movement patterns, increasing injury risk (McClure et al., 2012).

How Acupuncture and Dry Needling Help Shoulder Pain

1. Reducing Trigger Points and Muscle Tension

Trigger points (tight, hyperirritable muscle knots) in the trapezius and rotator cuff muscles contribute to pain and restricted movement. A study conducted by Dr. Jordan Barber and colleagues demonstrated through ultrasound imaging that dry needling significantly reduces trigger point size in the trapezius, leading to improved muscle function and pain relief (Barber et al., 2024).

2. Enhancing Blood Flow and Tissue Healing

Acupuncture and dry needling stimulate local circulation, which facilitates the delivery of oxygen and nutrients to inflamed tissues. Increased blood flow accelerates recovery from microtears and overuse injuries (Shah et al., 2015).

3. Decreasing Pain Through Neuromodulation

Both acupuncture and dry needling modulate pain signals by activating endogenous opioid release and reducing central sensitization. Research indicates that needling techniques alter pain perception by affecting neural pathways associated with musculoskeletal pain (Vulfsons et al., 2019).

Evidence Supporting Acupuncture and Dry Needling for Shoulder Pain

• A systematic review found that dry needling significantly reduces pain and improves function in patients with shoulder impingement syndrome (Gattie et al., 2017).
• Acupuncture has been shown to improve shoulder mobility and reduce pain in individuals with rotator cuff injuries, likely due to its anti-inflammatory effects (Trinh et al., 2016).
• Dr. Barber’s retrospective study confirmed ultrasound-documented reductions in trigger point size following dry needling, providing objective evidence of its effectiveness (Barber et al., 2024).

When to Seek Acupuncture or Dry Needling

Weightlifters should consider acupuncture or dry needling if they experience:

• Persistent shoulder pain despite stretching and mobility work
• Limited overhead movement due to tight muscles or impingement
• Recurrent rotator cuff strain affecting training performance
• Post-workout soreness that does not resolve with standard recovery methods

Conclusion and Call to Action

Ignoring shoulder pain can lead to chronic dysfunction and missed training sessions. Acupuncture and dry needling offer scientifically-backed solutions for reducing pain, enhancing mobility, and improving performance.

Schedule an appointment today to optimize your recovery and keep lifting pain-free!

References

Barber, J., Messina, D., Bhatt, A. M., & Deutsch, J. (2024). Ultrasound evidence of trigger point size reduction in the trapezius following dry needling acupuncture: A retrospective study. Journal of Alternative, Complementary & Integrative Medicine, 10(537). https://www.heraldopenaccess.us/openaccess/ultrasound-evidence-of-trigger-point-size-reduction-in-the-trapezius-following-dry-needling-acupuncture-a-retrospective-study

Cools, A. M., Struyf, F., Castelein, B., et al. (2015). Rehabilitation of scapular dyskinesis: From the office worker to the elite overhead athlete. British Journal of Sports Medicine, 49(5), 343–349.

Gattie, E., Cleland, J., & Snodgrass, S. (2017). The effectiveness of trigger point dry needling for musculoskeletal conditions: A systematic review. Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy, 47(3), 133–151. https://doi.org/10.2519/jospt.2017.7096

Lewis, J. (2016). Rotator cuff related shoulder pain: Assessment, management and uncertainties. Manual Therapy, 23, 57–68. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.math.2016.03.009

McClure, P., Balaicuis, J., Heiland, D., Broersma, M. E., Thorndike, C. K., & Wood, A. (2012). A randomized controlled trial on the effectiveness of shoulder stretching exercise on posterior capsule tightness and rotation in youth baseball players. Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery, 21(7), 1080–1089. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jse.2011.07.017

Shah, J. P., Thaker, N., Heimur, J., et al. (2015). Effects of dry needling on blood flow and pain sensitivity in myofascial trigger points. Pain Medicine, 16(9), 1638–1649. https://doi.org/10.1111/pme.12868

Trinh, K., Graham, N., Gross, A., et al. (2016). Acupuncture for rotator cuff pathology: A systematic review. Physiotherapy Canada, 68(2), 174–183. https://doi.org/10.3138/ptc.2015-33

Vulfsons, S., Ratmansky, M., & Kalichman, L. (2012). Trigger point needling: Techniques and outcome. Current Pain and Headache Reports, 16(5), 407–412. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11916-012-0286-6