There is no single acupuncture formula for lower back pain. Teresa Shen explains how she first identifies the likely pain source and reversible factors, then uses clinical assessment and TCM differentiation to choose an individual treatment approach.
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Lower back pain is a symptom, not a diagnosis. Teresa Shen explains why she first considers the cause of the pain, whether acupuncture is appropriate, and when further investigation or reassessment may be more important than continuing treatment.
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When lower back pain spreads into the buttock or leg, many people assume they have sciatica caused by a slipped or herniated disc. But similar symptoms can come from a lumbar nerve root, the sciatic nerve itself, other peripheral nerves, or muscles around the hip and buttock. The source of the pain matters because it changes the treatment.
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An ankle sprain from yesterday and a shoulder injury that has persisted for a year may both be ACC injuries, but they should not automatically be treated in the same way. Teresa Shen explains why timely management matters in acute injuries, while chronic injuries often require careful reassessment to identify what is now preventing recovery.
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Shoulder pain is a symptom, not a diagnosis. Although the problem may come from the shoulder itself, pain can also originate from the neck, nerves, muscles around the shoulder blade or, less commonly, other medical conditions. Teresa Shen shares how she approaches the question: where is the pain actually coming from?
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Many patients ask me whether their painful, stiff shoulder is caused by frozen shoulder or a rotator cuff injury. Although both conditions can make lifting the arm difficult, they develop differently and require different treatment approaches. In this Clinical Reflection, I explain how I distinguish between these conditions using clinical history, physical examination, imaging when appropriate, and Traditional Chinese Medicine
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Many patients tell me that their shoulder is manageable during the day but becomes much more painful at night. Night pain is not a diagnosis—it is an important clinical clue. In this reflection, I share how I approach persistent night shoulder pain from both modern medicine and Traditional Chinese Medicine, and why understanding the cause always comes before treatment.
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Many people expect an ankle sprain to heal naturally within a few weeks. However, in my clinic, I often see patients whose pain, swelling or repeated ankle sprains continue long after the original injury.
Over the years, treating these patients has taught me that successful recovery begins with careful assessment. It is not only about relieving pain—it is about understanding why
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Recently, I treated several patients with shingles. While every case was different, these experiences reminded me once again that Traditional Chinese Medicine is about much more than treating the rash itself. In this Clinical Reflection, I share how I combine meridian thinking, individualised acupuncture, moxibustion, local treatment, and whole-body support to help patients recover.
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Hip pain is not always treated the same way. In this Clinical Reflection, Teresa Shen explains how she combines acupuncture with movement, moxibustion, cupping, and individualised Traditional Chinese Medicine assessment to support patients with hip pain.
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