ABSTRACT
We examined the effects of superficial and deep acupuncture on the neck and shoulder stiffness. The aim of this study was 1) to clarify whether muscle hardness and surface EMG under slightly flexed neck position are useful as objective index of the muscle tone 2) to compare the effects of acupuncture in different depths (superficial and deep) on the muscle hardness, surface EMG and deep hemodynamics.<br>10 healthy subjects participated. Two modes of acupuncture, deep muscle stimulation and subcutaneous acupuncture insertion were performed at the neck and shoulder. Both of the superficial and deep acupuncture were left for 10 minutes.<br>As a result, there was a good correlation between muscle hardness and surface EMG under slightly flexed neck position (p<0.01). The integrated EMG was significantly decreased by the superficial acupuncture (p<0.05).<br>On the other hand, muscle hardness was significantly reduced by both of the superficial acupuncture and deep acupuncture (p<0.05).<br>Furthermore, the oxyHb was increased by the superficial acupuncture (p<0.05).<br>These results suggested that the superficial acupuncture has a greater efficiency than the deep acupuncture on neck and shoulder stiffness under slightly flexed neck position.