What is orthopaedic acupuncture?

Orthopaedic acupuncture focuses on the treatment of the muscles, bones, joints, and ligaments (musculoskeletal system). There are special meridians in the body that correspond to the musculoskeletal system called the sinew or muscle-sinew channels. There are twelve sinew channels. These channels correspond to different areas of the body and are used to treat the muscles and related tissues that they cover.

In addition to the sinew channels, different organs are related to different body tissues in acupuncture. The Liver is related to the sinews, the Kidney to the bones, and the Spleen to the muscles. By nourishing these organs, we can help to promote the health of the musculoskeletal system.

Orthopaedic acupuncture also utilizes modern medical knowledge as well as traditional Chinese knowledge. Orthopaedic acupuncture includes the use of motor points and trigger points in treatments. Trigger points are specific points in the myofascia that are hypersensitive spots, tight bands, or palpable nodules that cause a specific pain referral pattern when pressed [1]. Motor points are the points in the muscles with the highest excitability of the muscle, or the point on the skin where muscle contraction can be observed by the least electrical stimulation [2]. By treating motor points and trigger points, as well as traditional acupuncture points, the results of treatments can be greatly improved over just using acupuncture points alone.

There is more than just needling in orthopaedic acupuncture. Modern techniques, such as manual muscle testing to test the strength of the affect muscles, range of motion testing to see where muscular restriction is occurring, and modern stretching techniques, such as proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation [3] can also be used.

And, of course, there is lifestyle advice that can also be very helpful. This can consist of specific stretches, exercises, or activities that can be beneficial in not only recovery, but also the maintenance, of musculoskeletal health.

References

1. Travell, J. G. (1999). Myofascial pain and dysfunction. Williams & Wilkins.

2. Moon, J.-Y., Hwang, T.-S., Sim, S.-J., Chun, S., & Kim, M. (2012). Surface mapping of motor points in biceps brachii muscle. Annals of Rehabilitation Medicine, 36(2), 187–196. https://doi.org/10.5535/arm.2012.36.2.187

3. Hindle, K., Whitcomb, T., Briggs, W., & Hong, J. (2012). Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF): Its mechanisms and effects on range of motion and muscular function. Journal of Human Kinetics, 31(2012), 105–113. https://doi.org/10.2478/v10078-012-0011-y