A Comparative Study Between Myofascial Trigger Point Theory And Traditional Acupuncture Theory In The Treatment Of Neck Pain

ObjectiveThe purpose of this study is to investigate the correlation between Myofascial trigger point theory and Traditional acupuncture theory and compare their similarities in terms of their Anatomic location points, clinical indications, referred pain patterns, needle sensations and needle techniques in the treatment of neck pain.MethodsLiterature researchCombination of internet and manual literature retrieval. The search was conducted using English-language in 中国知网数据库，EBSCO, PUBMED, MEDLINE, ELSEVIER, databases with the keywords "trigger points and acupuncture", "dry needling and acupuncture", "myofascial pain and acupuncture" "trigger point and neck pain" and "acupuncture and neck pain". Additional searches were performed on the references of the obtained studies. Theoretical analysisCollect and summarize the existent studies of myofascial trigger points and the correlations with acupuncture points. Focalize in the location of the points, clinical indication, referred pain, techniques, and needle response.The included studies were categorized by the following criteria:1) trigger points and acupoints overlapping anatomic location2) trigger points and acupoints clinical correlation in treating pain and somato visceral disorders3) correspondence between de trigger points referred pain pattern and acupuncture meridians4) similarity of needle sensation5) needle techniques similarities Discussions and ConclusionsMyofascial Trigger Point theory and acupuncture theory share common principles in the treatment of pain disorders. After comparison, it is found that of the 255 trigger points from the "The Trigger Point Manual" from Dr. Travell and Simons,234 points had anatomically corresponding acupuncture points. Of these correlated points 214 had clinical indication for regional pain similar to their anatomically corresponding classical point and 56 had somatovisceral correspondence. Also was found correspondences between referred pain patterns and acupuncture meridians in 221 correlated TrP-acupoint.For the treatment of neck pain the results show that every trigger point for neck pain has a corresponding acupuncture point, also had shown that all the Trigger points relate to neck pain had clinical indication for regional pain similar to their anatomically corresponding classical acupoint.There is a high degree of correspondence between trigger point referred pain patterns and acupuncture meridians in the neck pain treatment. A part from the Cervical Multifidus due to the fact that the 颈百劳 is an extra point and don’t belong to a meridian, and the trigger point of the Infraspinatus with 天宗 that have partial agreement, all the other TrPs have complete agreement of the referred pain pattern and associated meridian.Moreover, there are similarities between "De Qi" and the Local Twitch Response as well as the sensations after needling. In terms of needling techniques Trigger Point and Acupuncture have common characteristics, they both use filiform needles as well as the similarities in the manipulation "Sparrow Pecking" with "提�'手法". The originators and proponents of the dry needle technique acknowledged that certain aspects of this techniques were inspired by acupuncture.These considerations suggest that trigger point and classical acupuncture points likely represent the same physical phenomenon in treating pain disorders. Also could suggest that the trigger point therapy represents an independent rediscovery of the acupoints using different methodology in different millennia by different cultures.