Evaluation of acupuncture effect to chronic myofascial pain syndrome in the cervical and upper back regions by the concept of meridians

Myofascial pain syndrome (MPS) in the cervical and upper back regions is a common medical problem. The involved muscles include trapezius, multifidi, splenius cervicis, levator scapulae, supraspinatus or infraspinatus. Acupun cture is a well-known method for relief of chronic pain. In this study, we evaluated the effect of acupuncture in MPS and its durability by using the concept of meridians. Twenty-nine patients with chronic MPS in the upper ba ck and cervical regions received acupuncture 2 times per week for 3 weeks. According to the pathways of the meridians, we chose acupuncture points by the pain regions located in which parts of meridian passing (i.e. "Where th e meridian passes, where to treat the disease."). We evaluated the intensit y of pain by visual analog scales (VAS) and active range of motion (ROM) of neck before and after therapy. After receiving acupuncture for 3 weeks, VA S of pain fell significantly from 9.0 +/-1.0 to 4.9 +/-2.5 and active ROM o f neck significantly increased from 35.8 +/- 10.2 degrees to 61.3 +/-9.4 de grees (p<0.05). The onset of symptom relief was gradual and duration of sym ptom relief after a course of acupuncture was average 5.3<plus/minus>1.2 da ys. In conclusion, acupuncture is a somewhat effective method for pain reli ef of patients with chronic MPS in the cervical and upper back regions. How ever, the effect of acupuncture with the concept of meridians on MPS is ins idious and the duration of the relief is not long enough.