Objective <p>To evaluate the clinical efficacy of acupuncture combined with Tuina (Chinese therapeutic massage) and passive movement in treating scapulohumeral periarthritis (SP).</p> Methods <p>Ninety patients with SP were recruited and randomly assigned to a treatment group and a control group using the random number table method, with 45 cases in each group. The control group received conventional acupuncture and Tuina manipulation, while the treatment group received acupuncture combined with Tuina and passive movement. Both groups received one session of treatment. Pain scores and shoulder joint range of motion were assessed pre-treatment, post-treatment, and at one-week follow-up.</p> Results <p>The total effective rate in the treatment group was significantly higher than that in the control group immediately after treatment and at one-week follow-up (<i>P</i>&lt;0.01). After treatment, both groups exhibited decreases in visual analog scale (VAS) score and increases in the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons Society standardized shoulder assessment score (ASES). Differences within and between groups were statistically significant (<i>P</i>&lt;0.01).</p> Conclusion <p>Compared to acupuncture combined with Tuina manipulation, acupuncture combined with Tuina and passive movement demonstrated better immediate and short-term therapeutic effects for treating SP, showing greater advantages in alleviating pain and improving shoulder joint range of motion.</p>