The correlation between trigger points and acupuncture points: A literature review.
Item
- Title
- The correlation between trigger points and acupuncture points: A literature review.
- Author(s)
- Peuters, A
- Abstract
- Background: Although the idea of myofascial trigger points (MTrP) has only been around for a few decades, compared to the very long history of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), acupuncture points (AP) and MTrPs have similarities which are difficult to deny. Both points can be used to treat musculoskeletal pain and can be treated in a very similar way by needling or manual pressure. Objective: The objective is to compare MTrPs and APs in terms of location, physiology and treatment (TTT) with the aim of determining whether they represent the same phenomenon. Methods: For this literature review a thorough search of available articles was conducted online using journal databases accessed via the Greenwich Student Portal. The following databases were accessed: SwetsWise, PubMed, Science Direct, Wiley Online Library, EBSCOhost, Cochrane and Google Scholar. Results: APs and MTrPs most likely share similar locations Birch (2003) criticises that conceptually they can only be compared to A Shi points because these points have the same characteristics as MTrPs, but this does not deny that the location of the points can be alike. The assessment of the clinical resemblance showed different outcomes, and the correlation of the referred pain from MTrPs to the traditional meridians remains unclear, as only one study had been conducted. When looking at studies comparing acupuncture TTT to dry needling (DN), nothing could be concluded as the studies had different outcomes. Conclusion: It is unclear whether MTrPs and APs represent the same phenomenon, although most of the studies did conclude that they might represent the same concept. More research is necessary into the subject, and it is important that the sample sizes of the studies are increased and the methodology is improved. If TrPs and APs are similar, the concepts of TCM could be included within osteopathy, supporting osteopathy as a primary healthcare profession.
- presented at
- European School of Osteopathy
- Date Accepted
- 2013
- Date Submitted
- 20.1.2015 16:42:59
- Type
- osteo_thesis
- Language
- English
- Submitted by:
- 62
- Pub-Identifier
- 15467
- Inst-Identifier
- 1229
- Keywords
- Trigger points.
- Recommended
- 0
- Item sets
- Thesis
Peuters, A, “The correlation between trigger points and acupuncture points: A literature review.”, Osteopathic Research Web, accessed May 17, 2024, https://www.osteopathicresearch.com/s/orw/item/697