Trigger Points and Classical Acupuncture Points: Part 1: Qualitative and Quantitative Anatomic Correspondences

Background

Data from a recently published study suggest that substantial anatomic, clinical, and physiologic overlap of myofascial trigger points (mTrPs) and acupoints exists in the treatment of pain disorders.

Objective

To evaluate the anatomic relationships between classical acupoint locations and those of mTrPs both qualitatively and quantitatively.

Methods

Graphics software was used to demonstrate the different muscle layers of a virtual, digitized human cadaver. The locations of 255 “common” mTrPs described in the Trigger Point Manual were superimposed as a separate layer to these graphics as were the locations of the 361 classical acupoints and the meridians they exist on. The relationships of the anatomic locations of acupoints and meridians to those of muscles and common mTrPs could then be directly visualized. Classical acupoints and mTrPs that entered the same muscle regions and were physically closest to each other, as confirmed by acupuncture and human anatomy references, were termed “anatomically corresponding” point pairs. A quantitative analysis of these anatomically corresponding mTrP-acupoint pairs was also performed.

Results

Of 255 common mTrPs, 238 (93.3 %) had anatomically corresponding classical acupoints. Quantitatively, 89 (37 %) of these 238 corresponding mTrP-acupoint pairs were estimated to be within 1 cm of each other, 107 point pairs (45 %) within 1–2 cm of each other, and another 32 point pairs (13 %) within 2–3 cm of each other. Trigger-acupuncture point correspondences would rise to 95.7 % if six other common mTrPs are considered anatomically corresponding.

Conclusions

Analysis of the relationships of the anatomic locations of mTrPs and acupoints while adhering to the modern conceptualization of myofascial pain as a regional muscle disorder demonstrates ≥ 93.3 % anatomic correspondence of common mTrPs to classical acupoints.