An Study To Asses The Role Of Acupuncture Points In Patients With Non-Specific Upper Limb Pain: A Randomized Control Trial
Keywords:
Upper limb pain, acupressure, physiotherapy, meridian points, Quick DASH, VAS, integrative therapy, musculoskeletal rehabilitationAbstract
Background: Upper limb pain is a multifactorial condition often arising from musculoskeletal, neurological, or postural origins. Traditional physiotherapy remains a mainstay of treatment, yet integrating alternative approaches like acupressure, rooted in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), may enhance therapeutic outcomes. The myofascial meridian concept parallels acupuncture meridians and offers a scientific rationale for acupressure in clinical settings.
Objective: To evaluate and compare the effectiveness of acupressure-based kneading of meridian points integrated with physiotherapy versus traditional physiotherapy alone in reducing upper limb pain and improving functional capacity.
Methods: A randomized experimental study was conducted with 60 participants divided into two groups (n=30 each). Group I received a standard physiotherapy regimen, while Group II underwent meridian-based kneading of acupoints combined with exercise. Outcomes were assessed pre- and post-intervention using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) for pain and the Quick DASH questionnaire for upper limb disability. Demographic data, occupational background, and side of involvement were also analyzed.
Results: Both groups demonstrated statistically significant improvements in pain and functional outcomes (p < 0.001). However, Group II showed superior results, with VAS scores decreasing from 5.79 ± 2.13 to 0.79 ± 0.77 and Quick DASH scores dropping from 45.31 ± 15.71 to 3.81 ± 4.55. In contrast, Group I's VAS decreased from 6.48 ± 1.51 to 4.75 ± 2.03, and Quick DASH from 59.31 ± 14.39 to 43.05 ± 13.90. No significant differences were observed between genders or age groups in outcome, although females in Group II showed slightly better functional recovery.
Conclusion: Integrating acupressure-based kneading of meridian points with physiotherapy significantly enhances pain relief and functional recovery in individuals with upper limb pain compared to physiotherapy alone. These findings support a multimodal, holistic treatment approach and encourage further exploration into acupressure-physiotherapy integration for other musculoskeletal conditions. Acupressure point kneading with traditional physiotherapy is more effective in upper limb pain management than only traditional physiotherapy or acupressure point kneading
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