Stimulated by Hoheisel et al 2025.[1] Top part of Figure 1 in Hoheisel et al 2025.[1] DRG – dorsal root ganglionFG – fluorogold or fluorochrome yellowc-fos – a protein from the Fos family widely used as a marker for neuronal activityc-fos-ir – c-fos immunoreactivityDH – dorsal horn (of the spinal cord)VLP – ventral posterolateral nucleus … Continue reading Muscle pain – a neuroanatomical basis
Stimulated by Jorgensen et al 2024.[1] This is a section from the BMAS TrP chart with referral patterns relevant to the topic of this blog. MSK – musculoskeletalLS – lumbosacralIF – impact factorEDX – electrodiagnostic medicineNCS – nerve conduction studiesMPS – myofascial pain syndromeFAI – femoroacetabular impingementTrPs – trigger points (myofascial is implied)GTPS – greater trochanteric … Continue reading MSK mimics of LS radiculopathy – part 2
Stimulated by Jeong et al 2024.[1] Needling the multifidus muscle at one finger breadth from the midline. On the right side the needle aims correctly towards the lamina and on the left the lamina is missed. AE – adverse eventIF – impact factorKMD – Korean medical doctorCXR – chest x-ray (film)CT – computed tomography – … Continue reading Acupuncture AE at Huatuojiaji
Stimulated by Tang et al 2024.[1] This is the cover of Elmar's atlas from 2005 showing one of the cross sections that proved to be so useful for my own appreciation of the safe depth of needling in the back of the neck. AACP – Acupuncture Association of Chartered PhysiotherapistsBAcC – British Acupuncture Council3D – … Continue reading Needling necks 2024
Stimulated by Albert et al 2023.[1] Photo by Neonbrand on Unsplash. PID – prolapsed intervertebral discLBP – low back painNSAIDs – non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugsSD – standard deviation key to acronyms This paper was published online in mid-December, but I could not access the full text. I wrote to the first author, Hanne Albert, and she kindly sent me … Continue reading PID resorption 2024
Stimulated by Qin et al 2023.[1] Figure 2 from Liu et al 2011.[2] Bell’s palsy – idiopathic facial palsyDTI – diffusion tensor imagingIF – impact factorFA – fractional anisotropyMD – mean diffusivityAD – axial diffusivityRD – radial diffusivity key to acronyms I was just doing a review for a big general journal and the authors … Continue reading Bell’s palsy and DTI 2023
Stimulated by Cathenaut et al 2023.[1] Graphic drawn by MC in the late 90's at the request of AW for a paper in the BMJ.[2] STP – short term plasticityDH – dorsal horn (the sensory horn of the spinal cord)EA – electroacupunctureCirca – approximately (sometimes shortened to c)TRPV1 – transient receptor potential vanilloid type 1GABA … Continue reading STP and the DH 2023
…in teres minor and other SG muscles. Stimulated by Yi et al 2023.[1] Photo by Shakibuzzaman Khan Chowdhury on Unsplash. SG – shoulder girdleTrP – trigger point (referring to a myofascial trigger point)SG – shoulder girdleTrP – trigger point (referring to a myofascial trigger point)EPZ – endplate zone (the area of a muscle where motor … Continue reading Where to needle – part 3
…in infraspinatus and other muscles. Stimulated by Lee et al 2023.[1] Possible TrP locations in the infraspinatus muscle based on the frequency of finding EPZs. Yellow indicates the presence of EPZs in 90% to 100% of individuals. Green indicates the presence of EPZs in 50% to 80% of individuals. This is based on data from … Continue reading Where to needle 2023
Stimulated by Cheng et al 2023.[1] Figure 1 from Cheng et al 2023.[1] ES – erector spinae key to acronym The risk of needling the kidney must have come up on every acupuncture course I have ever taught over the last 27 years. My comment is usually that acupuncture needles are unlikely to do much … Continue reading Kidney laceration after acupuncture 2023
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