Objective To investigate and compare the clinical efficacies of acupuncture at myofascial trigger points and extracorporeal shock wave and their effects on the quality of life in patients with myofascial pain syndrome. Method Seventy-eight patients with myofascial pain syndrome were allocated, using a random number table, to acupuncture and shock wave groups, 39 cases each. The two groups received acupuncture at myofascial trigger points and extracorporeal shock wave, respectively. The clinical therapeutic effects were compared between the two groups of patients after 20 consecutive days of treatment. The quality of life score was recorded in the two groups of patients before and after one month of treatment. Result The VAS score (1.57±0.83), the PRI score (1.87±1.06) and the PPI score (0.94±0.72) in the acupuncture group were lower than the VAS score (2.16±0.95),the PRI score (2.68±1.14) and the PPI score (1.53±0.81) in the shock wave group. All had a statistically significant difference (P<0.05). The VAS score, the PRI score and the PPI score decreased significantly in the two groups of patients after treatment compared with before. Eight scaled scores: physical functioning, physical role functioning, bodily pain, social role functioning, vitality, general health perceptions, emotional role functioning and mental health increased significantly in the two groups of patients after treatment compared with before (P<0.05) and increased more in the acupuncture group (P<0.05). The marked efficacy rate was 84.6% in the acupuncture group, which was significantly higher than 61.5% in the shock wave group (P<0.05). Conclusion Both acupuncture and extracorporeal shock wave therapy have a marked clinical effect on myofascial pain syndrome. It can further improve the quality of life in the patients.