Can acupuncture and massage be done together?

In most cases, they can be combined. Many acupuncture departments and rehabilitation departments in traditional Chinese medicine hospitals even combine the two as a regular physical therapy plan, and the effect is much better than doing one of them alone. For example, the 28-year-old Internet operator I hired last week stared at the computer for more than 12 hours every day. When he came here, he couldn't turn his neck. His right shoulder and back hurt so much that he couldn't even hold the mouse. I first used rolling and massaging methods to loosen the tight muscles in his shoulders and back for 10 minutes. After the ropes, which were as hard as pebbles, were kneaded and softened, several acupuncture points including splenius cervicalis, Jianjing, and Tianzong were inserted. During the gap between the needles, he was allowed to gently press the tenosynovitis pain point on his wrist. When he left that day, he was able to turn his head normally and said that the pain was at least 60% gone.

However, this combination is not suitable for everyone. There are always different views in the industry. Some old doctors who practice traditional acupuncture do not recommend doing both at the same time. They feel that acupuncture itself is already mobilizing the circulation of qi and blood and adjusting the mechanism of qi. If massage techniques are followed immediately, especially heavy pressing and pulling, it is likely to disrupt the original rhythm of qi and blood and deplete the healthy energy. I have met an aunt in her sixties before. She has been suffering from insufficient Qi and blood all year round. After having acupuncture points for replenishing Qi and blood at another health center, she was given a 40-minute full-body massage by a technician. She went home that night and felt weak all over and couldn't lift herself up. She lay down for two days before she recovered.

In fact, to put it bluntly, there is no absolute "can" or "can't". It mainly depends on the individual's physical constitution and the way of operation. Just like if you want to fertilize a flower, it will definitely absorb better if you loosen the soil first and then apply fertilizer. If you have a physical constitution that often sits for long periods of time, your muscles are severely stiff, or you have severe pain, massage first and then acupuncture can help the acupuncture points to get better Qi, doubling the effect. ； If you are inherently weak and usually get out of breath after walking for two steps and get tired easily, you can completely stagger the two. Acupuncture today and massage tomorrow. Even if you want to do it together, tell the doctor in advance that you can use light massage and don’t use heavy techniques. If you are not sure which one is suitable for you, just explain your physical condition clearly to the operating doctor in advance. Don’t force yourself to do the project despite your discomfort.~