The difference between acupuncture and massage

The former is an invasive medical operation that uses metal needles to penetrate specific acupoints on the human body to mobilize qi and blood in the meridians to regulate deep physiological functions; the latter is a non-invasive intervention method that uses manual force on surface muscles, fascia, joints and other soft tissues to loosen local adhesions and improve body surface circulation. There are essential differences between the two in their action paths, applicable scenarios, and professional qualification requirements.

I have been in outpatient clinics for almost ten years, and every now and then I encounter patients who can’t tell the difference between the two. Two girls came here last week with shoulder pain. One had stretched her arms during ballet practice, and her trapezius muscles were as hard as a slate. She was so sore that it was difficult to lift her arms to comb her hair. I pressed her on the starting and ending points of the supraspinatus and trapezius muscles for 20 minutes, kneaded a few knots, and then waved her arms and said, "It feels much easier." I let her go without even prescribing any medicine. The other one suffered from frozen shoulder pain for more than three months, and her arm felt stuck when she raised it to 90 degrees. The MRI showed that the joint capsule had adhesion and edema. I first performed a puncture on the same side of the joint, and asked her to slowly raise her arm during the acupuncture. She could lift it to 120 degrees in less than five minutes. Later, she cooperated with massage to release the joint capsule twice a week, and she was almost recovered in less than half a month.

Many people think that external treatments using traditional Chinese medicine are nothing more than "unblocking meridians". How big a difference can there be? Actually, it's not even close. The force of massage basically stays at the soft tissue level, and the deepest reaches the deep fascia. If you have superficial problems such as muscle strain, fascial adhesions, and facet joint disorders, the comfort and effectiveness of massage are better than acupuncture. After all, you can't stick acupuncture in your legs just for the sake of soreness after climbing a mountain, right? But if the problem lies at a deeper level, such as arm numbness caused by nerve root edema, dysmenorrhea caused by organ dysfunction, or allergic rhinitis, the strength of the massage cannot penetrate that depth at all. At this time, the advantages of acupuncture come out - fine needles can accurately penetrate the nerve trunks, joint spaces or even deeper locations where the acupuncture points are located, directly stimulating the corresponding meridian target points, and regulating the physiological feedback of the entire body, which massage cannot do.

Of course, there are always different opinions in the industry. Many orthopedic doctors I know particularly recommend massage. They often say that "the muscles like rubbing but not needles." Many patients with acute lumbar sprains and stiff necks have dislocated small joints that compress the soft tissue. Acupuncturists in the field of internal medicine are more aware of the scope of acupuncture. Not to mention internal diseases, even for issues such as weight loss and mood regulation, the stimulation amount and persistence of acupuncture are much stronger than massage. After all, you cannot press acupuncture points for two hours every day, but acupuncture can continue to stimulate two or three days by burying an ear acupoint. In fact, both statements are correct. The applicable scenarios are different, and there is no saying that one is more advanced than the other.

There is another difference that is most easily overlooked, that is, the threshold for employment between the two is completely different. Acupuncture is an invasive procedure that requires piercing the skin, so it must be performed by a doctor with a medical license. Improper disinfection can transmit blood-borne diseases such as hepatitis B and AIDS. The wrong place may even cause pneumothorax and nerve damage. If you encounter someone in an ordinary massage parlor who says they can give you acupuncture, leave without saying a word. It is 100% illegal practice of medicine. There are two types of massage. Ordinary massage of a health-care nature. Masseurs can work with a health-care masseur certificate issued by the labor department. It is mainly used to relax muscles and relieve fatigue. Massage of a medical nature, such as used to treat cervical spondylosis and lumbar disc herniation, also requires a medical practitioner certificate. Many people also confuse this.

To be honest, when I usually make plans for patients, I never recommend a certain one. I always match it based on the situation. For example, last week there was a patient with allergic rhinitis. I gave him Yingxiang and Hegu pricks, and taught him how to massage both sides of his nose at home. His recovery was much faster than simply pricking acupuncture. They are all practical skills passed down by our ancestors for thousands of years. If used in the right place, they are good things. There is no need to compete for superiority.