Objectives The aim of this literature review is to describe the role of acupuncture for myofascial pain syndrome in interventional pain management. Content Myofascial pain syndrome (MPS) can be found at all ages. Approximately 30.0–93.0% of patients with musculoskeletal pain have MPS. Unsuccessful treatment can lead to dysfunction, disability, and a cost burden. We conducted a search of studies published in Google Scholar and PubMed databases from 2016 to 2021. Summary Acupuncture, combined with other therapies, is effective in reducing pain and improving physical function. Acupuncture can enhance endogenous opioids such as endorphins to relieve pain and enhance the healing process. Outlook Acupuncture could be considered as one of nonpharmacological options in Interventional Pain Management for MPS. Interventions with acupuncture are safe and have minimal side effects when performed by a trained and competent practitioner.

Acne vulgaris (AV) is a chronic inflammation of pilosebaceous glands. The clinical presentation of AV can be described as an inflammatory lesion and non-inflammatory lesions. The diagnosis of AV is through clinical evaluations. AV was graded according to clinical severity using Lehmann’s criteria. AV predilection most commonly appears on the face, chest, and back. AV causes the greatest burden between 10 to 30 years old and can cause anxiety and decrease self-confidence, instigating decreased quality of life. Acupuncture is a non-pharmacological treatment modality that is performed using filiform needles at acupuncture points. An 18-year-old woman was diagnosed with a moderate degree of AV based on Lehmann's criteria. She received manual acupuncture acupoints with the needles retained for 30 minutes. The treatment was conducted 2 times a week for a total of 12 treatments. After 12 treatments of acupuncture therapy, the degree of AV was reduced from moderate to mild, with an 81.25% reduction in total lesions. Follow-up was carried out 1 month after the treatment, showing that the effect of acupuncture remained. The acupuncture mechanism works directly on acne lesions by improving microcirculation, reducing proinflammatory reactions, and increasing anti-inflammatory, as well as regulating the HPA axis which can reduce stress and improve hormones. Manual acupuncture can be considered a non-pharmacological therapeutic modality to treat AV with minimal side effects.

Background: Obesity is a chronic condition defined as excess body fat which is diagnosed based on body mass index, abdominal circumference, and is associated with an increased risk of various diseases. Conservative management is often hard to comply with, unsuccessfully, and expensive, while acupuncture with its variety of modalities can be an option. Case: A therapy with polydioxanone thread embedding on acupuncture points along with other acupuncture modalities were performed in three cases of obese patients according to their etiology and conditions. Results: Based on the three cases of obese patients with PDO thread embedding acupuncture alone or combined with cupping, plum blossom and moxibustion modalities are beneficial in decreasing abdominal circumference. The effect after 2 months follow up respectively using abdominal circumference measurement 5 cm above the umbilicus -2 cm ( from 110 to 99cm);- 3 cm (from 90 to 87 cm); -8 cm (from 88 to 80 cm), umbilicus to umbilicus -6 cm (from 107 to 101 cm); 10 cm (from 103 to 93 cm); 7 cm (from 93 to 86 cm), 5 cm below umbilicus -1 cm (from 106 to 105 cm); -5 cm (from 107.5 to 102.5 cm); -6 cm (from 104 to 98 cm). No serious side effects occurred in the three cases. Conclusion: PDO thread embedding can be beneficial in treating obese patients. However, these results require further research.