What is the difference between the effects of acupuncture and massage?

To put it simply, the core effect difference between the two is that acupuncture can reach deep lesions that cannot be reached by massage, and can also regulate the rhythm of Qi and blood throughout the body through meridians. The advantage of massage is that it can more intuitively release tension in the superficial and middle layers of muscles and fascia, and the physical relaxation will come faster.

I have been working in the primary physiotherapy department for almost six years, and I have encountered too many patients who are struggling with which one to choose. Last week, I saw a young man who worked as a programmer. His waist was protruding and he could not straighten his waist. His right leg was numb. When he came, he walked with support on the wall. I first pressed the erector spinae muscles on both sides of his waist for 20 minutes. He said that most of the tightness was gone, but the numbness in his legs was not reduced at all. Later, I found the tendons deep in his buttocks that were compressing the nerve roots, and inserted three needles into Yaoyangguan and Weizhong acupoints. When retaining the needles, I added some weak current stimulation. When the needles were removed, he was able to walk straight on the spot. He said that 70% of the numbness in his legs was gone. This is actually the most intuitive difference in the level of action. Its compression point is deep in the piriformis muscle, and the massage force must penetrate through the epidermis, fat, and outer muscles layer by layer. For people whose muscles are as stiff as frozen stones, the force cannot be used at all. Pressing hard will easily cause the surface muscles to become red, swollen, and sore. Thin needles do not have this trouble. They can pass directly through to reach the lesion accurately without putting additional burden on the surrounding soft tissues.

Of course, many colleagues have different opinions. They say that the current deep fascia relaxation and American chiropractic can also reach deep locations. This is correct, but the premise is that the operator's technique is particularly accurate, and the muscles of the person receiving the force cannot be too tight, otherwise it is still easy to cause problems. I once encountered a patient who was undergoing deep massage outside. In order to rub away the hard knots on the waist, the pain lasted for three days, but the damage was caused by pressing out the soft tissue.

In addition to local analgesia and relaxation, acupuncture also has an advantage that is hard to compare with massage, that is, it can regulate systemic problems through the remote treatment of meridians. Many people come for acupuncture not to relieve pain, but to relieve perennial aunt pain, chronic gastric bloating, or stubborn insomnia. For example, Hegu on the hands can relieve headaches and toothaches on the head and face, and Sanyinjiao on the feet can treat gynecological problems. This kind of cross-part adjustment effect is difficult to achieve with ordinary massage. Of course, this does not mean that massage is not possible. There are also massage masters with particularly precise techniques. The penetration of acupuncture points is strong enough, and the effect is no worse than ordinary acupuncture. This situation is not uncommon. There is no need to step on anyone.

On the other hand, if the problem itself is superficial, then the experience of massage is much better than acupuncture. A few days ago, there was a little girl who was working on planning. She had a stiff neck for three days in a row. This is a spasm on the surface of the muscle. It can be relieved by massaging and not requiring acupuncture.

Normally, you don’t have to worry about which one is better. If you have deep-seated pain or numbness, or you want to regulate long-term qi, blood, or organ problems, acupuncture is more efficient.； If your muscles are sore, stiff, and tight after sitting for a long time, and you simply want to relax and unwind, the experience of choosing massage will be much better. If you can accept both, the effect can actually be faster when used together.