In middle age, shoulder pain is a common problem. Scraping therapy is effective in relieving shoulder pain. Can you apply a plaster after scraping for shoulder pain?
Can you apply a plaster after scraping for shoulder pain?
It is not recommended to apply a plaster immediately.
After scraping therapy for shoulder pain, the pores in the scraped area are open and there is subcutaneous congestion. At this time, it is necessary to keep the scraped area clean and dry to avoid secondary injury or catching a cold. Applying a plaster at this time may stimulate the fragile skin after scraping, leading to skin pain, itching, and other conditions.
It is recommended to apply a plaster 2-3 days after scraping. By this time, the scraping marks have almost disappeared, and the skin's tolerance has improved.
Scraping therapy for shoulder pain
1. Selecting and locating acupoints
1. For shoulder periarthritis, select Jianjing (GB21) on the Foot Shaoyang Gallbladder Meridian and Tianzong (SI11) and Jianzhen (SI9) on the Hand Taiyang Small Intestine Meridian for promoting meridian flow and relieving pain;
2. Select Quchi (LI11) on the Hand Yangming Large Intestine Meridian to dispel dampness;
3. Select Tianzhu (BL10), Geshu (BL17), Gaohuang (BL43), Yizheng (BL52), and Geshu (BL17) on the Foot Taiyang Bladder Meridian to promote blood circulation and remove blood stasis;
4. Select Zhongfu (LU1) on the Hand Taiyin Lung Meridian to promote blood circulation and remove blood stasis.
2. Scraping technique
1. Neck and shoulder
Scrape along the muscles of the neck and shoulder, from Tianzhu (BL10) to Zhongfu (LU1), with a focus on Tianzhu (BL10), Jianjing (GB21), and Zhongfu (LU1).
2. Back of the forearm
Use the rounded corner of the scraping board to press or scrape the Quchi (LI11) acupoint.
3. Shoulder and back
Scrape along the midline of the back, from top to bottom, on both sides of the scapula and the Foot Taiyang Bladder Meridian, with a focus on the Geshu (BL17), Gaohuang (BL43), Yizheng (BL52), and Geshu (BL17) acupoints.
Precautions after scraping therapy for shoulder pain
1. Drink a glass of warm water
Scraping therapy opens the sweat pores and expels evil qi, consuming some body fluids. Therefore, after scraping therapy, drink a glass of warm water and rest for a while.
2. Keep warm
After scraping therapy, in order to avoid invasion of wind and cold evil, the skin pores need to close and return to their original state before bathing, which usually takes about 3 hours.
3. Avoid irritation
After scraping therapy, there may be pain and itching in the local skin. At this time, avoid external stimulation of the scraped area to prevent discomfort.
4. Avoid frequent scraping therapy
Scraping therapy should not be too frequent. Before the scraping marks have disappeared, a second scraping therapy should be avoided. Doing so can damage the skin and cause qi deficiency.
What kind of plaster should be applied for shoulder and neck pain?
Generally, shoulder and neck pain is often caused by poor posture, fatigue, or trauma. Applying a plaster with the effects of promoting blood circulation, relieving pain, removing blood stasis, and strengthening tendons and bones can relieve muscle soreness and promote the recovery of local inflammation.
How to correctly apply a plaster
1. First, use a hot towel or ginger slices to clean and dry the affected area. Then unfold the folded plaster, heat it on a low fire, and apply it to the affected area.
2. Avoid areas with more body hair when applying a plaster. Otherwise, it will not stick well and may cause pain when removed.
3. Generally, a plaster should not be applied for more than 24 hours. If left on for too long, not only will the medication lose its effectiveness, but it will also be harmful to the skin.
4. After removing the plaster, if there are residues on the body, you can use the removed plaster to repeatedly remove them, and they will be cleared quickly.
Massage techniques to relieve shoulder pain
1. The patient sits upright, and the therapist stands behind and to the side of the affected shoulder. The therapist massages the scapula and presses the Tianzong (SI11) acupoint on the inner and outer edges of the scapula.
2. The therapist stands on the side of the affected shoulder and performs palm kneading, palm rubbing, and finger pressing techniques around the shoulder joint.
3. Then, the therapist performs finger pressing and kneading techniques on the posterior, lateral, and anterior lines from the shoulder to the elbow.
4. The therapist lifts the affected arm above the elbow with one hand and performs finger pressing techniques around the shoulder joint with the other hand. The two hands work closely together to continuously lift the patient's upper arm until the patient can tolerate it.
5. Move the shoulder joint: The therapist uses multiple fingers to knead and grasp the affected shoulder joint, while lifting the affected upper arm, performing internal and external rotation movements. The therapist uses one hand to press the area above the affected shoulder joint, and the other hand holds the patient's wrist, performing traction and shaking techniques from low to high. Perform finger kneading and pressing techniques on the Tianzong (SI11), Jianjing (GB21), Jianyu (LI15), Jianzhen (SI9), Yunmen (LU2), Biyun (LI1), and Quchi (LI11) acupoints. The patient should feel a warm and relaxed sensation in the shoulder and arm after the therapy.
