Neurophysiologic pathways in acupuncture

This study examines the relationship between trigger areas on the body and their pain reference zones. It is shown how needling of acupuncture points in the reference zones will result in pain relief in the trigger areas. A group of patients is described who were successfully treated with acupuncture, and in which a direct correlation between acupuncture pathways and myofascial pain syndromes in a reverse fashion could be established. It is concluded that pathways for acupuncture therapy do exist; these are not dependent on an intact central nervous system.