Objective:To observe the therapeutic effect of acupuncture needle retaining combined with cupping and patient's exercise for treatment of traumatic shoulder pain. Methods: 45 outpatients were randomly divided into treatment group ( n =25) and control group ( n =20). In treatment group

the patients were treated by acupuncture of the contralateral Tiaokou (ST 38) to Chengshan (BL 57) of the affected shoulder. The needle was retained for 10 min

when

ordered the patient to perform the lateral lifting

upward lifting

frontward stretching and backward bending movement of the affected upper limb

and manipulated the needle twice. In addition

the tender point

Tianzong (SI 11) or Jianqian Point or Jianyu (LI 15) to Jiquan (HT 1) were also punctured according to the concrete circumstances

combined with cupping at the focus site

then

asked the patient to make "wall climbing" movement closely facing the wall of a room. In control group

warming needle of LI 15

Jianzhen (SI 9)

Jianqian

Quchi (LI 11)

Hegu (LI 4)

etc were given. The treatment was conducted once daily

with 5 sessions being a therapeutic course. Results: After three courses of treatment

of the 25 and 20 cases in the treatment and control groups

16 and 10 were cured

7 and 8 had remarkable improvement

with the effective rates being 92% and 90% respectively. No significant difference between the two groups was found ( P >0.05)

but the therapeutic courses of the former group were significantly shorter than those of the later group in most patients ( P <0.05). Conclusion: The therapeutic effects of treatment group are superior to those of control group in pain relief and treatment duration.