Authors from Taiwan have speculated on the probable mechanisms by which acupuncture can eliminate muscular pain caused by myofascial trigger points (MTrPs). The paper summarises the findings of studies published in recent decades, which suggest that myofascial pain is a complex form of neuromuscular dysfunction consisting of motor and sensory abnormalities involving both the peripheral and central nervous systems. They suggest that acupuncture’s analgesic effects on this type of pain cannot be explained by any single mechanism, but are rather due to a combination of effects on the immune, hormonal and nervous systems. The review discusses correlations between acupoints and MTrPs, as well as possible mechanisms explaining how needling remote points can relieve pain at MTrPs. (Probable mechanisms of needling therapies for myofascial pain control. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2012;2012:705327).
