The difference between the effects of acupuncture and massage

The core functional difference between the two is that the depth of action and regulation pathways are completely different - acupuncture focuses on the regulation of deep meridians, qi and blood, and nerve levels, and is more suitable for deep-seated chronic diseases, acute pain, and viscera dysfunction.； Massage focuses on the release of superficial soft tissues such as muscles and fascia, and is more suitable for relieving superficial strain, relaxing fatigue and improving local circulation.

I have been working in a community physical therapy clinic for almost eight years, and this question is asked almost every week. Last week, I met a young girl who works in Internet operations. She has been working on a project for three weeks, and her shoulders and neck were as stiff as frozen slates. She used a fascia gun at home for three days, and went to a blind massage for two massages. After two hours of massage, she was so painful that she couldn't lift her arm when she sat back at her desk. When she came, she could only lift her right arm to shoulder level at most. I first relaxed her trapezius and supraspinatus muscles for twenty minutes. The superficial muscles were indeed a little softer, but she still felt pain when pulling her right shoulder blade when she turned her head. Then I inserted a needle in the Houxi point of her left hand and twisted it for half a minute. She was asked to slowly move her arm, and she raised it above her head on the spot. She was shocked at the time and asked why her hand was pricked but her shoulder was healed?

In fact, this is the essential difference between the action paths of the two. You can compare the meridians of the human body to the heating pipes buried in the wall: Massage is equivalent to rubbing the insulation layer outside the wall, and kneading away the sponges and dust accumulated on the outside of the pipes, which can make the heat dissipate more smoothly. However, if the pipes are blocked with sediment, or the main valve entering the home has insufficient pressure, even if you rub the wall skin, it will not solve the fundamental problem. Acupuncture is equivalent to inserting a thin probe directly into the pipe to open up the blockage in the pipeline, and even directly adjust the pressure of the main valve. This is why acupuncture can regulate irregular menstruation and chronic gastritis, which are related to the function of the organs. Ordinary massage can only help you relieve dysmenorrhea and bloating in the waist and abdomen. If you really want to adjust endocrine, you still have to rely on acupuncture to regulate the qi and blood levels.

Of course, this does not mean that massage is not as good as acupuncture. Last month, a retired Aunt Wang suffered from knee pain for half a year. A X-ray was taken to confirm that it was degenerative disease with effusion. She had acupuncture in other places five times before, and the stinging sensation was reduced. However, her legs were still weak when going up and down stairs, and she had to rest after walking 500 meters. I later gave her twice-a-week soft tissue release around the knee joint, massage and relaxation of the quadriceps muscles, and hot compresses at home. It only took three weeks, and now she can carry ten pounds of potatoes when going to the vegetable market. Her problem was originally caused by tight surrounding muscles compressing the joints, not deep blockage of Qi and blood. Massage directly loosened the tense muscles, and the problem was naturally solved.

Regarding the difference between the two, the industry actually has different views. Old traditional Chinese medicine doctors often say that "acupuncture and massage are from the same family." They all regulate the meridians and regulate qi and blood, but the tools are different. This is really not an empty statement. I once met an inheritor of intangible cultural heritage massage. The force can penetrate the peritoneal layer. Rubbing the abdomen for half an hour can relieve the acid reflux of chronic gastritis. Ordinary masseurs cannot do this at all. The effect of this kind of deep massage is actually no worse than acupuncture. The modern rehabilitation school has a more direct view: massage is about physically loosening adhesions and relaxing muscles, while acupuncture is more about stimulating acupoints to trigger neural regulation and release endorphins to relieve pain. The two paths are completely unrelated. Both of these statements are actually correct, but they are just looking at the problem from different evaluation systems.

To be honest, when we usually work, we don’t distinguish between the two so clearly. For example, patients with acute lumbar sprains can recover much faster by first stabbing their chin or lower back pain points to relieve the pain. After they can stand up, they can then loosen the tight muscles in their waists. ； If you are just tired after working for a week and want to loosen your bones, then there is no need to get acupuncture. Find a reliable masseur to massage for an hour and your whole body will be relaxed. Why bother to get those few injections?

Don’t believe in the saying that “acupuncture is omnipotent”. If you have sensitive skin, are prone to needle fainting, or are trying to regulate the spleen and stomach of a child, the acceptance and effect of massage and chiropractic are much better than acupuncture, so there is no need to force it. In the final analysis, there is no distinction between the two, only whether they are suitable or not. I really can’t figure out what I should choose. Finding a reliable physical therapist to evaluate them for two minutes is much more effective than searching for half a day of popular science at home.