Myofascial pain syndrome(MPS) is a condition originating in muscles，fascia，and other connective tissues，characterized by neck，shoulder，and lower back pain，along with one or more trigger points(TrPs).It is widely recognized that myofascial trigger points(MTrPs) represent a specific form of the Ashi point in traditional Chinese medicine(TCM).In recent years，external TCM therapies have been widely used in the treatment of MPS，showing significant efficacy，fast results，and fewer adverse reactions.Current experimental studies mainly explore the mechanisms of TCM external therapies in treating MPS by investigating the pathological morphology of MTrPs，muscle electrophysiology，central and peripheral nerve pathology，and the accumulation of energy metabolism products.