Study of effect of acupuncture on Shoulder trigger points in patients with Myofascial pain syndrome

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