Dry Needling and Traditional Chinese Acupuncture Points

Description

While teaching foundation and advanced courses in acupuncture to healthcare professionals, it was apparent that most of my colleagues mainly use acupuncture for the treatment of musculoskeletal disorders. The key problem that I have encountered is finding appropriate acupuncture textbooks that provide a straightforward Western medical explanation of each classical acupuncture point for the management of musculoskeletal disorders to recommend to my students. 

Most textbooks covering classical acupuncture points primarily explain their function from a traditional Chinese perspective with a limited explanation from a Western scientific viewpoint. To express the function of points in terms of expelling heat, cold, damp or invigorating qi or blood has very little meaning to many healthcare professionals and their patients. The use of these terms also makes it difficult for healthcare professionals to select appropriate points for managing musculoskeletal and associated disorders. Through research, there is now a growing body of evidence that explains the function of the most common classical acupuncture points, trigger points and auricular acupuncture points using Western medical terminology.

Following a thorough review of scientific literature, this text provides detailed illustrations and a comprehensive, evidence-based explanation of the location and function of commonly used classical acupuncture points, trigger points and auricular acupuncture points.

• Suitable for Western medical and traditional Chinese acupuncture students and advanced practitioners.
• A valuable source of reference when formulating a treatment plan, as the function of the points is explained from a Western medical evidence-based understanding.
• Easy-to-use illustrations and instructions on surface anatomy and underlying structure, which will aid the correct locating of the points.
• Discuss the prevalence, definition, features, and pathophysiology of trigger points.
• The most effective treatment modality of trigger points regarding the depth of needling, pressure, laser or manual acupuncture is outlined.
• A clear explanation of trigger point location, referred pain patterns, muscle dysfunction, autonomic dysfunction and precipitating factors is presented.
• The development and mechanism of auricular acupuncture with supportive evidence for common auricular points is presented.
• Auricular acupuncture points are clearly illustrated with easy-to-use instructions on the surface anatomy to aid the correct locating of the points.