title: Evaluation of Women with Myofascial Abdominal Syndrome Based on Traditional Chinese Medicine.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study used semiology based on traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) to investigate vital energy (Qi) behavior in women with abdominal myofascial pain syndrome (AMPS).
  
  
  METHODS
  Fifty women diagnosed with chronic pelvic pain (CPP) secondary to AMPS were evaluated by using a questionnaire based on the theories of "yin-yang," "zang-fu", and "five elements". We assessed the following aspects of the illness: symptomatology; specific location of myofascial trigger points (MTrPs); onset, cause, duration and frequency of symptoms; and patient and family history. The patients tongues, lips, skin colors, and tones of speech were examined. Patients were questioned on various aspects related to breathing, sweating, sleep quality, emotions, and preferences related to color, food, flavors, and weather or seasons. Thirst, gastrointestinal dysfunction, excreta (feces and urine), menstrual cycle, the five senses, and characteristic pain symptoms related to headache, musculoskeletal pain, abdomen, and chest were also investigated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Patients were between 22 and 56 years old, and most were married (78%), possessed a elementary school (66%), and had one or two children (76%). The mean body mass index and body fat were 26.86 kg/ cm2 (range: 17.7 - 39.0) and 32.4% (range: 10.7 - 45.7), respectively. A large majority of women (96%) exhibited alterations in the kidney meridian, and 98% had an altered gallbladder meridian. We observed major changes in the kidney and the gallbladder Qi meridians in 76% and 62% of patients, respectively. Five of the twelve meridians analyzed exhibited Qi patterns similar to pelvic innervation Qi and meridians, indicating that the paths of some of these meridians were directly related to innervation of the pelvic floor and abdominal region.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The women in this study showed changes in the behavior of the energy meridians, and the paths of some of the meridians were directly related to innervation of the pelvic floor and abdominal region.
authors.affiliation: Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics of Faculty of Medicine of Ribeirao Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirao Preto, Brazil.
authors.forename: Andréia
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mitidieri
authors.affiliation: Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics of Faculty of Medicine of Ribeirao Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirao Preto, Brazil.
authors.forename: Maria Beatriz
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Gurian
authors.affiliation: Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics of Faculty of Medicine of Ribeirao Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirao Preto, Brazil.
authors.forename: Ana Paula
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Silva
authors.affiliation: Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics of Faculty of Medicine of Ribeirao Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirao Preto, Brazil.
authors.forename: Kalil
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Tawasha
authors.affiliation: Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics of Faculty of Medicine of Ribeirao Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirao Preto, Brazil.
authors.forename: Omero
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Poli-Neto
authors.affiliation: Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics of Faculty of Medicine of Ribeirao Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirao Preto, Brazil.
authors.forename: Antônio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Nogueira
authors.affiliation: Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics of Faculty of Medicine of Ribeirao Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirao Preto, Brazil.
authors.forename: Francisco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Reis
authors.affiliation: Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics of Faculty of Medicine of Ribeirao Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirao Preto, Brazil.
authors.forename: Júlio
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Rosa-E-Silva
keywords: acupuncture evaluation; chronic pelvic pain; myofascial abdominal syndrome; trigger points