What is Motion Style Acupuncture Therapy (MSAT)?

Motion acupuncture is the most current advancement in the acupuncture world. This new technique is revolutionary in pain management. mobility and range of movement. This new style is called Motion Style Acupuncture Therapy because it focuses on using needles to release myofascial pain followed with needle retention movement techniques. 

What is Myofascial pain?

Myofascial pain is not a new concept and sometimes called scar tissue. When injuries occur, multiple tissue layers may be affected, ranging from the most superficial (skin) to the deepest (bone). However with Motion acupuncture and soft tissue injuries, the damage is limited to structures between the skin and the muscle.

Myofascial pain (scar tissue) often develops after the initial injury has mostly healed. Instead of resolving, the pain can persist and create a self-perpetuating cycle if left untreated. This cycle may lead to ongoing discomfort, repeated injuries, or restricted range of motion, ultimately turning an acute problem into a chronic condition.

What is the Myofascial pain cycle?

The following below is a brief explanation of myofascial dysfunction and pain cycle by Wilkinson(2020).

1. Haemostasis (Stopping the bleeding)

• • Right after an injury, the body quickly forms a clot to stop bleeding.

  • This sets the stage for repair, but the clot also acts like a temporary “plug” that stiffens the area.

  • If muscles around the site tighten to protect it, circulation may already start becoming limited.

2. Inflammation (Cleaning up the area)

• • The immune system floods the injured spot with cells and chemicals to clear out damaged tissue.

  • Swelling, heat, and tenderness are part of this process.

  • But if inflammation lingers too long, nerves in the fascia and muscles become extra sensitive — sending more pain signals.

  • Protective muscle guarding then increases tightness, reducing blood flow further.

3. Proliferation (Laying down new tissue)

• • The body starts patching the injury with collagen fibers — the building blocks of scar tissue.

  • At first, these fibers are laid down quickly and randomly, like a messy “spider web.”

  • This new tissue is stiff and less elastic, which can trap nerves and blood vessels.

  • If tension and poor circulation continue, the tissue may heal in this restricted state.

4. Remodeling (Maturation of the scar)

• • Over time, scar tissue is supposed to be reorganized into stronger, more flexible fibers.

  • But if the cycle of tightness, poor blood flow, and nerve irritation isn’t broken, the scar stays thick, rigid, and poorly aligned.

  • This creates ongoing pain, limited movement, and can spark new trigger points in surrounding muscles — feeding the myofascial pain cycle.

Scar tissue isn’t “bad”, It’s how your body heals. But when healing gets stuck in this cycle, the scar can behave like a “knot” that keeps re-starting the loop of tightness, poor circulation, chemical irritation, and pain.

Wilkinson, H. N., & Hardman, M. J. (2020). Wound healing: Cellular mechanisms and pathological outcomes. 

Open Biology, 10(9), Article 200223. https://doi.org/10.1098/rsob.200223 

How does Motion Style Acupuncture Therapy help?

Motion Style Acupuncture Therapy works by releasing the granular tissue (scar tissue), and using you own natural movement to realign the fibers. electro-acupuncture or red light therapy can also be combined for treatment. Evidence based journals that support the use of MSAT are as follows:

Acute low back pain in motor vehicle accidents (Park et al., 2024) 

Herniated disc pain with radiating pain (Noh et al, 2022)

Shoulder pain (Shi et al., 2018) 

Does it hurt? 

This new style is designed to release myofascial injuries. Tightness during needling is a common sensation but afterwards normal needling sensation is expected.

How long will I feel better?

Depending on the extent of the injury, healing time will be 1-2 weeks with range of motion improvement immediately seen. Some weakness and fatigue may be experienced which is normal, but should be reported if longer than 2 weeks.