Techniques
Orthopedic acupuncture applies needling to the structures that cause musculoskeletal pain and dysfunction: muscles, motor nerves, myofascial trigger points, tendons and joints. It combines precise anatomy with the clinical experience of acupuncture.
A motor point is the place where a motor nerve enters a muscle. It is the point at which the muscle responds most easily to stimulation, and many motor points lie close to classical acupuncture points.
In motor point acupuncture the practitioner locates these points by anatomy and palpation and needles them to normalise muscle tone, reduce pain and restore function. Needles are often combined with electrical stimulation, which produces a visible contraction of the target muscle. The technique is used for muscle imbalances, sports injuries, back and neck pain, and in rehabilitation after injury or surgery.
Myofascial trigger points are hyperirritable spots in a taut band of skeletal muscle. They are tender on pressure and can cause characteristic referred pain, stiffness and weakness. The concept was described in detail by Janet Travell and David Simons.
In trigger point acupuncture, also widely known as dry needling, a fine filiform needle is inserted directly into the trigger point. A local twitch response, a brief contraction of the taut band, often indicates accurate placement and is followed by a reduction in pain and muscle tension.
Dry needling is practised by physiotherapists, physicians and acupuncturists. Many trigger points correspond to ashi points or classical acupuncture points, which is one reason the two traditions meet so naturally in orthopedic acupuncture.
Segmental acupuncture is based on the segmental organisation of the body. Each spinal segment supplies its own area of skin (dermatome), muscle (myotome), bone and connective tissue (sclerotome) and internal organs (viscerotome), and these areas are linked by reflex pathways.
By needling points that lie in the same segment as the painful structure or affected organ, the practitioner uses these reflex connections to influence pain, muscle tone and organ function. Many classical acupuncture points, including the back-shu points along the spine, fit closely into this segmental map.
The approach was described in detail by Dr. Ingrid Wancura-Kampik in her book Segmental Anatomy: The Key to Mastering Acupuncture, Neural Therapy and Manual Therapy, which is widely used in acupuncture training.
Neck pain, low back pain, sciatica-like pain of muscular origin, thoracic stiffness.
Shoulder pain, tennis and golfer’s elbow, knee and hip pain, Achilles and patellar tendinopathy.
Muscle injuries, overuse problems, return to sport, and recovery after orthopedic surgery.
Tension-type headache and temporomandibular pain with a myofascial component.
Orthopedic needling requires sound anatomical knowledge and a clinical assessment to rule out conditions that need other care. EONN promotes high-quality training through the seminars and congresses listed on this site.