Acupuncture Treatment of Shoulder Impingement Syndrome

Acupuncture techniques with a plastic insertion tube was used to introduce every needle. The needles were perpendicularly inserted to a depth of 2-3 cm. The needles were applied to the area of the injured shoulder while the patient was lying in a lateral decubitus position on the stretcher. The skin was prepared with clorhexidine and the needles were sterile. They measured 40 mm long and 0.25 mm in diameter. The sessions lasted 20 minutes and the Qi sensation was sought by consistent manipulations, with rotation of the needles in both senses and scratching of the handle.