[Understanding of the trigger points of myalgia: acupuncture and dry needling exploration and modern acupuncture mechanism].

Zhongguo Zhen Jiu. 2018 Jul 12;38(7):779-84

Authors: Huang Q, Zhang Y, Ma Y, Hou B, Fei Q, Tan S, Zhang H

Abstract
The similarities and differences between trigger points of myalgia and acupoints were explored. Nodules could be detected by B-ultrasound at trigger points of myalgia, but not acupoints. In clinical symptoms, the referred pain pathway of trigger points of myalgia is similar with the pathway of acupuncture meridian. Therefore, the location of trigger points of myalgia should take referred pain as pathway, which is similar with locating acupoints as meridian. Acupuncture at trigger points of myalgia takes jumping feeling as criterion, while acupuncture at acupoints are mainly based on acid swelling and numbness. From clinical observation to basic experimental research, a lot of pathophysiological evidence is provided for trigger point of myalgia. It is believed that the trigger point of myalgia might be the precise acupoint in modern scientific research, and the meridian is the synthesis of the mechanics of nerve, blood vessel and fascia. Although acupuncture and dry needling are different in theory, but the scientific foundation of TCM and western medicine is coherent.

PMID: 30014676 [PubMed – in process]