Iranian Journal of War and Public Health

Background: Trigger Points (TrPs) appear to be common among patients with clinically significant
musculoskeletal pain. These points include circumscribed spot tenderness in a nodule that is part of a palpably
tense band of muscle fibers. Patients recognition of the pain that is evoked by pressure on the tender spot as
being familiar, pain referred in the pattern characteristic of Trps in that muscle.
Purpose: Aim of this research was study of effect of acupuncture on Shoulder trigger points in patients with
Myofascial pain syndrome.
Materials and Methods: In a randomized trial, 18 patients (7 men and 11 women) with bilateral trigger points in
both shoulders were recruited using strict inclusion and exclusion criteria from physical medicine and
rehabilitation clinics. The shoulder in one side received acupuncture (3 sessions with 4 days intervals), both
contra lateral side, only touch with hand and don’t received treatment.
Results: The result showed that average difference of pain in treated shoulder was significant than other
shoulder (P=0.001). Active and passive shoulder internal rotation and threshold of pain in treated shoulder was
significant than other shoulder (P<0.005).
Discussion: The evidence suggests that acupuncture significant reduced pain of trigger points. Acupuncture
appears to stimulus neural small fibers and release neurotransmitters.