The therapeutic effect of collateral meridian therapy is comparable to acupoint pressure therapy in treating myofascial pain syndrome.

•Collateral meridian therapy (CMT) is a novel technique developed by Dr. Shan-Chi Ko to treat various kinds of pain, including myofascial pain.•This study compared the therapeutic effects of CMT with conventional acupoint pressure therapy (APT) on MPS by using pain scales and HRV measures.•The therapeutic effect of CMT is comparable to that of APT in the treatment of active myofascial trigger points in the upper trapezius muscle.