An Observational Study To Asses The Role Of Acupuncture Points In Patients With Non-Specific Upper Limb Pain

Authors

  • Neeti Mahalwal
  • Jafar Khan
  • Renuka Pal
  • Vardhman Jain
  • K.M. Annamalai
  • Farukh Mohammad Pinjara
  • Presha Jain
  • Neha Khera
  • Dinesh Menaria
  • Jayesh Joshi

Keywords:

Upper limb pain, acupuncture points, acupressure, Quick DASH, VAS, observational study, physiotherapy

Abstract

Background:Non-specific upper limb pain is a common musculoskeletal issue with multifactorial etiology, including overuse, posture, and soft tissue dysfunction. While conventional physiotherapy has been effective, the incorporation of acupuncture-based approaches—especially stimulation of traditional acupoints—has shown promise in enhancing pain relief and functional recovery.

Objective:To observe and evaluate the effectiveness of combining physiotherapy with acupressure (kneading of acupuncture points) in reducing pain and improving upper limb function in patients with non-specific upper limb pain.

Methods:An observational study was conducted on 30 participants presenting with chronic non-specific upper limb pain. The intervention consisted of standard physiotherapy integrated with kneading techniques targeting traditional acupuncture points. Pain intensity was measured using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), and functional ability was assessed with the Quick DASH questionnaire, both pre- and post-intervention. Statistical analysis was performed using the paired t-test, with significance set at p < 0.05.

Results:Participants demonstrated a significant reduction in pain scores, with mean VAS decreasing from 5.79 ± 2.13 to 0.79 ± 0.77 (p < 0.001). Functional outcomes showed a dramatic improvement, with Quick DASH scores decreasing from 45.31 ± 15.71 to 3.81 ± 4.55 (p < 0.001). Improvements were consistent across age and gender categories, with no statistically significant differences between subgroups.


Conclusion:The integration of acupuncture point stimulation (acupressure) with physiotherapy significantly improves outcomes in patients with non-specific upper limb pain. This observational study supports the therapeutic value of incorporating acupressure into routine physiotherapeutic management to accelerate recovery, reduce disability, and enhance quality of life. Further large-scale prospective studies are recommended to validate these findings

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References

Walker-Bone K, Palmer KT, Reading I, Coggon D, Cooper C. Prevalence and impact of musculoskeletal disorders of the upper limb in the general population. Arthritis Rheum. 2004;51(4):642-51

Lee JH, Choi TY, Lee MS, Lee H, Shin BC, Ernst E. Acupressure for treating musculoskeletal pain: a systematic review. Acta Anaesthesiol Scand. 2012;56(6):697-703.

Zhao ZQ. Neural mechanism underlying acupuncture analgesia. Prog Neurobiol. 2008;85(4):355-75.

Mogere P, Mutiso V, Kituyi C. Clinical Evaluation and Differential Diagnosis of Upper Limb Pain. East Afr Med J. 2020;97(2):71-75.

Deadman P, Al-Khafaji M, Baker K. A Manual of Acupuncture. East Sussex: Journal of Chinese Medicine Publications; 1998.

Myers TW. Anatomy Trains: Myofascial Meridians for Manual and Movement Therapists. 4th ed. Elsevier; 2020.

Dorsher PT. Myofascial referred pain data provide physiologic evidence of acupuncture meridians. J Pain. 2009;10(8):723-31.

Bennett RM. Myofascial pain syndromes and their evaluation. Best Pract Res Clin Rheumatol. 2007;21(3):427-45.

Lee SH, Lim SM. Acupressure for chronic neck pain: a meta-analysis. J Phys Ther Sci. 2016;28(8):2335-40.

Tough EA, White AR, Cummings TM, Richards SH, Campbell JL. Acupuncture and dry needling in the management of myofascial trigger point pain: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Eur J Pain. 2009;13(1):3–10.

Vickers AJ, Vertosick EA, Lewith G, et al. Acupuncture for chronic pain: Update of an individual patient data meta-analysis. J Pain. 2018;19(5):455–474.

Langevin HM, Wayne PM, Macpherson H, et al. Paradoxes in acupuncture research: strategies for moving forward. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2011;2011:180805.

Walker-Bone K, Palmer KT, Reading I, Coggon D, Cooper C. Prevalence and impact of musculoskeletal disorders of the upper limb in the general population. Arthritis Rheum. 2004;51(4):642-51

Lee JH, Choi TY, Lee MS, Lee H, Shin BC, Ernst E. Acupressure for treating musculoskeletal pain: a systematic review. Acta Anaesthesiol Scand. 2012;56(6):697-703.

Zhao ZQ. Neural mechanism underlying acupuncture analgesia. Prog Neurobiol. 2008;85(4):355-75.

Mogere P, Mutiso V, Kituyi C. Clinical Evaluation and Differential Diagnosis of Upper Limb Pain. East Afr Med J. 2020;97(2):71-75.

Deadman P, Al-Khafaji M, Baker K. A Manual of Acupuncture. East Sussex: Journal of Chinese Medicine Publications; 1998.

Myers TW. Anatomy Trains: Myofascial Meridians for Manual and Movement Therapists. 4th ed. Elsevier; 2020.

Dorsher PT. Myofascial referred pain data provide physiologic evidence of acupuncture meridians. J Pain. 2009;10(8):723-31.

Bennett RM. Myofascial pain syndromes and their evaluation. Best Pract Res Clin Rheumatol. 2007;21(3):427-45.

Lee SH, Lim SM. Acupressure for chronic neck pain: a meta-analysis. J Phys Ther Sci. 2016;28(8):2335-40.

Tough EA, White AR, Cummings TM, Richards SH, Campbell JL. Acupuncture and dry needling in the management of myofascial trigger point pain: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Eur J Pain. 2009;13(1):3–10.

Vickers AJ, Vertosick EA, Lewith G, et al. Acupuncture for chronic pain: Update of an individual patient data meta-analysis. J Pain. 2018;19(5):455–474.

Langevin HM, Wayne PM, Macpherson H, et al. Paradoxes in acupuncture research: strategies for moving forward. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2011;2011:180805.

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Published

2025-07-25

How to Cite

1.
Mahalwal N, Khan J, Pal R, Jain V, Annamalai K, Pinjara FM, Jain P, Khera N, Menaria D, Joshi J. An Observational Study To Asses The Role Of Acupuncture Points In Patients With Non-Specific Upper Limb Pain. J Neonatal Surg [Internet]. 2025Jul.25 [cited 2025Oct.12];14(1S):1315-31. Available from: https://mail.jneonatalsurg.com/index.php/jns/article/view/8530

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