Buccal acupuncture combined with ultrasound-guided dry needle-evoked inactivation of trigger points to treat cervical and shoulder girdle myofascial pain syndrome

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Myofascial pain syndrome (MPS) is a common disease with easy persistence and recurrence. In clinical practice, although many methods have been adopted to prevent and treat MPS, the control of MPS is still not satisfactory.

OBJECTIVE:

To compare the safety and effectiveness of buccal acupuncture, inactivation of trigger points (MTrPs), and their combination in the treatment of MPS.

METHODS:

Two hundred MPS patients in the pain clinic were randomly divided into four groups ( $n=$ 50) to receive oral drugs (Group A), oral drugs $+$ buccal needle (Group B), oral drugs $+$ MTrP inactivation (Group C), or oral drugs $+$ buccal needle $+$ MTrP inactivation (Group D).

RESULTS:

The visual analogue scale (VAS) and cervical range of motion (ROM) of Group D were significantly lower than those of the other three groups, and the pressure pain threshold (PPT) value of labelled MTrPs was significantly higher than those of the other three groups ( $P<$ 0.05). The excellent rate and total effective rate of Group D were significantly higher than those of the other three groups. Group C had the highest pain score and the lowest acceptance score. The results showed that buccal acupuncture combined with ultrasound-guided dry needle-evoked inactivation of MTrPs can significantly reduce the VAS score of MPS patients, improve the range of motion of the cervical spine, and improve patient satisfaction.

CONCLUSIONS:

This study provides a highly accepted and satisfactory treatment for MPS, which is worthy of clinical promotion.