Effect of Selective Acupuncture points on pain and disability index in patients with acute neck pain - A Randomized Controlled trial

Acute neck pain according to the Neck Pain Task Force comes under grade II clinical classification of pain showing no signs or symptoms of major structural pathology  but major interference with the activities of daily living  .It usually lasts from 7 days to a month . Acute neck pain may become chronic in about 10% of people . Prevalence is highest in middle age ,  with women being affected more than men . Neck pain is the fourth leading cause of disability , with an annual prevalence rate exceeding 30% . Acupuncture is a therapeutic form of traditional Chinese medicine ( TCM) that involves the insertion of fine needle on the defined points and usually follows by stimulation using related manual or electrical techniques . Acupuncture appears to be a safe treatment modality for acute neck pain , as adverse effects are minor and were cost effective . According to the theory of Chinese traditional medicine , acupoints and tender points may become sensitized when the body is in a diseased state. Stimulation of such sensitive points may lead to disease  improvement and improved clinical efficacy . This study aims to evaluate the efficacy and safety of needling at selective acupuncture points in providing pain relief , improvement of cervical vertebral function and quality of life in patients with Acute neck pain . The pre and post assessments will be done each session for 3 days a week with a follow up for 3 weeks . This randomized control study will be conducted among the 60 participants  both male  and female aged between 18- 65 years . All the eligible subjects will be randomly divided into 2 groups . The study group will undergo  needling ( LU 7 , SI 3 , LI 4 , GV 20 ) for 3 days a week with a follow up for 3 weeks. While the control group will be given sham acupuncture for 3 days a  week with a follow up for 3 weeks . Assessment will be measured by  Visual Analog Scale ( VAS)  and Neck Pain and Disability Scale ( NPAD) and assessment of autonomic changes in the body through heart rate variability before and after each session for 3 days a week with a follow up for 3 weeks.