França DL, Senna-Fernandes V, Cortez CM, Jackson MN, Bernardo-Filho M, Guimarães MA
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of acupuncture combined with physiotherapy in comparison with acupuncture and physiotherapy performed alone in different parameters; pain intensity, muscle tension, functional disability and muscle strength in the treatment of tension neck syndrome (TNS). Forty-six patients with TNS were allocated into three groups: Group-1 received physiotherapy (therapeutic exercises) combined with acupuncture; Group-2, acupuncture alone, and Group-3, physiotherapy alone; over a period of 10 weeks, with one or two sessions weekly. All groups showed significant improvement in outcome measures after 10 weeks of treatment and after 6 months of follow-up. After 6 months of follow-up, the improvements of all groups were maintained.
This research suggests that acupuncture effect may facilitate and/or enhance physiotherapy performance in musculoskeletal rehabilitation for tension neck syndrome.
Complementary Therapies in Medicine, 2008, 16(5), 268-77