Where to needle 2023

…in infraspinatus and other muscles. Stimulated by Lee et al 2023.[1] Possible TrP locations in the infraspinatus muscle based on the highest density of 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

MTrP needling in GP 2023

Inspired by Yehoshua et al 2023.[1] Needling upper trapezius or GB21 with a subject sitting up and an angle that is tangential to the upper ribcage (from BMAS Points Resource). MTrP – myofascial trigger pointTrP – trigger pointDN – dry needling (mostly MTrP or TrP needling)GP – general practice or general practitioner (whichever is contextually … Continue reading MTrP needling in GP 2023

Muscle vs fascia in LBP

Inspired by Cozacov et al 2022 and others.[1–3] Photo by Juan Pablo Serrano Arenas on Pexels.com LBP – low back painQL – quadratus lumborumHC – healthy controlUS – ultrasoundNRS – numerical rating scaleLTR – local twitch responseFM – fibromyalgiaOA – osteoarthritisDOMS – delayed onset muscle soreness key to acronyms This is a small but interesting … Continue reading Muscle vs fascia in LBP

Chronic primary MSK pain 2022

Inspired by a perspective and commentaries in Pain Reports.[1–3] Photo by Mateo Krössler on Unsplash. View of Heidelberg... MSK – musculoskeletalMPS – myofascial pain syndromeWA – Western Australia key to acronyms A couple of these papers popped up on my searches on Friday 19th August, and since transport disruption had led to a cancelled clinic, … Continue reading Chronic primary MSK pain 2022

Evidence mapping 2022

Inspired by number 8 in the BMJ acupuncture research series.[1–8] SR – systematic reviewICU – intensive care unitRCT – randomised controlled trialGRADE – Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation (a method of grading the quality or ‘certainty’ and strength or ‘effect size’ of evidence inhealthcare)MSK – musculoskeletalES – effect sizeSMD – standardised mean differenceTMJD … Continue reading Evidence mapping 2022

Looking inside the MTrP 2022

Inspired by Ball et al 2022.[1] Inside the trigger point drawn by MC on Paper 53 circa 2015. MTrP – myofascial trigger pointTrP – trigger point (exactly the same as MTrP for those wanting to save a keystroke)LTR – local twitch responseUS – ultrasoundVSE – vibration sonoelastographySWE – shear wave elastographyDN – dry needling aka … Continue reading Looking inside the MTrP 2022

MPS in patients with CA 2022

Inspired by Hasuo et al 2021a&b and Ishiki et al 2021.[1–3] Graphic by MC shows characteristic referred pain patterns from the most common trigger points in trapezius on the right and other possible sites of trapezius trigger points on the left. MPS – myofascial pain syndromeCA – cancer (in this case ‘incurable’ cancer) aka ‘the … Continue reading MPS in patients with CA 2022

Floating needles

Inspired by Al-Sawat et al 2021, Chen et al 2021 & Ang et al 2021.[1–3] Seirin L type needle handle and shaft. Photograph by MC using Canon EOS 5D Mark III EF100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM. SUI – stress urinary incontinenceFSN – Fu’s subcutaneous needlingMTrP – myofascial trigger pointkey to acronyms This is a set … Continue reading Floating needles

Ocular AEs

Inspired by Jiang et al 2021.[1] Photo by Cameron Venti on Unsplash. AEs – adverse eventsEA – electroacupunctureTPI – trigger point injectionkey to acronyms Thankfully rare, ocular injuries caused by acupuncture seem to affect me more than most other AEs. I cannot help myself grimace a little every time I think of needling points inside … Continue reading Ocular AEs