Therapeutic Effect of Superficial Acupuncture in Treating Myofascial Pain of the Upper Trapezius Muscle: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Chao Ching Wang,Zi Yu Chang,Kuo Ching Chiou,Tse Hung Huang

doi:10.1155/2018/9125746

Abstract

The aim of this study was to compare the treatment efficacies of superficial acupuncture and traditional acupuncture on trigger points of the upper trapezius muscle. Forty people were recruited and randomly allocated to the traditional and superficial acupuncture groups. Each subject received two treatments per week in a four-week period. Outcomes were measured by visual analogue scale (VAS), the Northwick Park neck pain questionnaire scores (NPQ), and pressure pain threshold (PPT) assessments of trigger points. Data collected before the interventions were considered as baseline. Assessments were performed after the first treatment and at the end of the second and fourth weeks of treatment. Patients reported significant (p<0.05) and immediate improvements in VAS and PPT for both superficial acupuncture and traditional acupuncture after the first treatment and after two and four weeks. Significant improvements (p<0.05) in NPQ were attained after two weeks of treatments in both groups. Because superficial acupuncture is associated with less pain while producing immediate pain relief, we recommend it for treating myofascial pain syndrome in the upper trapezius muscle.

Highlights

Myofascial pain syndrome is a common source of musculoskeletal pain in primary care
Practitioners claimed to have a successful practice, with minimal patient discomfort [12]. In this randomized controlled trial, we evaluated and compared the efficacies and adverse events of superficial acupuncture and traditional acupuncture for treating myofascial pain of upper trapezius muscle
The data indicate that the superficial and traditional acupuncture treatments improved the consequent disability due to neck pain after a series of treatments, but the treatments were not immediately effective (Figure 4). The aim of this randomized controlled trial was to evaluate the therapeutic effect of superficial acupuncture for treating myofascial pain syndrome in the upper trapezius muscle

Summary

Introduction

Myofascial pain syndrome is a common source of musculoskeletal pain in primary care. About 30% of the patients who visit health care clinics because of pain meet the criteria for myofascial pain syndrome [1]. Seen at muscles that are under prolonged eccentric loading [2], myofascial pain syndrome is characterized by trigger points, which are focal, discrete, and hyperirritable areas in taut bands of muscle fibers, are associated with typical pain referral patterns, and give rise to motor dysfunction and autonomic phenomena [3]. One hypothesis suggests that when excessive acetylcholine is released at the motor end plates, the calcium pump mechanism is disturbed, causing the sustained contraction of sarcomeres in the myofascial and local hypoxia due to blood vessel compression. This mechanism of action conforms to the energy crisis theory [5]

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