Imaging Metabolic and Perfusion Changes in Acupuncture Therapy for Myofascial Pain Syndrome

Inclusion Criteria: * Ability to understand the purposes and risks of the trial and willingness to sign an informed consent form * Willingness and ability to comply with all protocol required procedures * Willingness to be randomized to receive either true acupuncture or sham acupuncture * Current self-report of chronic low back pain (cLBP) which has persisted for the past 3 months AND has resulted in pain on \> 50% of days in the past 6 months * At least one palpable nodule or taut band in paraspinal, quadratus lumborum, or gluteal muscles * Reproduction of the patient's dominant pain with palpation of a muscle nodule or taut band * Predominantly paramedian pain (may be uni-lateral or bi-lateral) * Willing and able to lay motionless in a supine position at least twice, preferably thrice: 70-minute TB-PET/CT scan * Willing and able to fast for at least 6 hours before and for the duration of the TB-PET/CT scan * Willing to avoid strenuous exercise for 24 hours before the TB-PET/CT scan visit * Willingness to practice effective contraception during the study. Exclusion Criteria: * No Primary Care Physician * History of spine infection (discitis or osteomyelitis) or spine tumor * History of ankylosing spondylitis, rheumatoid arthritis, polymyalgia rheumatica, psoriatic arthritis, or lupus * Confounding conditions that are known to be responsible for inducing pain * Implants at or in the region of the sites of interest * Diagnosis of any vertebral fracture in the last 6 months…