ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES:
Muscle pain is one of the causes of the leave of absence in physical activities, as well as limiting factor in sports performance. The objective of this study was to evaluate the early and late response to the pain perception threshold after acupuncture in a single application, in subjects submitted to repetitive strain.
METHODS:
Clinical-experimental quantitative trial, with control group and blind, with 47 healthy women, aged between 18 and 55 years (36.3±10.6), divided deterministically by sequential alternation to the groups: acupuncture (GACP n=16), Sham (Gsham n=16) and control (CGRT n=15). The repetitive strain was performed in the Reformer equipment of the Pilates method, before and after the intervention, with 0,25x40mm needles. The GACP received the needling at point ST36 (Zusanli). The Gsham received superficial needling out of the acupuncture point, and the CGRT only performed the exercise. All patients had the needles for 20 minutes, except for the CGRT who remained only at rest. A digital pressure algometer was used at point BL57 (Chengshan). The algometry was conducted before the intervention and the exercise, immediately after, and after 24 hours.
RESULTS:
The GACP showed a significant increase in the pain perception threshold when compared to Gsham (p =0.021) and to CGRT (p<0.001) and after 24 hours, with CGRT (p=0.006). The results were coherent with the acupuncture theoretical foundations, suggesting the release of opioid analgesics and applicability in the recovery of post-exercise sore muscles.
CONCLUSION:
A single acupuncture intervention was able to increase the Pain Perception Threshold immediately and after 24 hours.
Keywords:
Acupuncture; Algometry; Muscle pain; Pain perception threshold
