Efficacy of Fu's Subcutaneous Needling for chronic non-specific neck pain and its effect on muscle elasticity: a randomized controlled trial.

Chronic neck pain affects millions of people worldwide, but finding safe and effective treatment can be challenging. Researchers in China recently compared two types of acupuncture for chronic non-specific neck pain: Fu's Subcutaneous Needling (FSN), a specialized technique that treats tissue just beneath the skin, and standard filiform needle acupuncture.

The study included 70 patients who were randomly assigned to receive either FSN or traditional acupuncture. Researchers measured pain levels, disability, and neck muscle stiffness before treatment, immediately after, and one month later. They used specialized ultrasound technology called shear wave elastography to objectively measure how tight or relaxed the neck muscles were.

Both treatment groups experienced significant improvement in pain and function. However, patients receiving FSN therapy showed greater reductions in both pain scores and disability compared to those receiving standard acupuncture. Importantly, FSN also restored normal muscle elasticity in the upper trapezius muscle (the large muscle running from your neck to your shoulder), while standard acupuncture did not produce measurable changes in muscle stiffness. The researchers found that muscle stiffness levels correlated strongly with pain and disability—when muscles became more elastic, patients felt better.

No adverse effects were reported in either group, confirming that both approaches are safe. The study lasted one month, and improvements were maintained at follow-up. These findings suggest that FSN may offer advantages over traditional acupuncture for chronic neck pain by not only reducing pain but also addressing the underlying muscle tension. If you're considering acupuncture for chronic neck pain, seek a qualified, licensed acupuncturist trained in evidence-based techniques.

This randomized controlled trial (n=70) compared Fu's Subcutaneous Needling (FSN) with standard filiform needle acupuncture for chronic non-specific neck pain. Patients were randomly allocated to FSN (n=35) or traditional acupuncture (n=35) groups. Primary outcomes included Neck Disability Index (NDI) and Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) scores assessed pre-treatment, post-treatment, and at one-month follow-up. Shear wave elastography (SWE) quantified upper trapezius muscle elasticity as an objective biomarker.

Both interventions produced significant improvements; however, FSN demonstrated superior outcomes with greater reductions in NDI and VAS scores (p<0.05). Notably, SWE values decreased significantly in the FSN group (p<0.05) but not in the control group, indicating restoration of muscle elasticity. Strong correlations were observed between SWE values and clinical outcomes (p<0.05). No adverse events occurred in either group.

Clinical takeaway: FSN therapy appears more effective than standard acupuncture for CNNP, with measurable improvements in muscle biomechanics supporting its clinical efficacy as a non-pharmacological intervention.