When your body is in extreme pain, all you want is a treatment that’s effective. However, there are multiple ways to treat body aches. Not only is pain medicine helpful, but there are effective treatments such as acupuncture and massages that work really well too.
So, when your body needs therapy, how do you decide between acupuncture vs massage? Well, we’ll explain the answer in the information below to help you decide which option is best for you.
What Is Acupuncture?
Acupuncture is a pain relieving treatment method that penetrates the skin using thin needles to stimulate acupressure points. It’s used as a way to stimulate specific areas of the body. Acupuncture is one of Asia’s most ancient healing practices, but it’s become popular in Western culture. Not only does it help to relieve pain, but it soothes nausea as well.
Furthermore, acupuncture is known to treat more than 100 diseases, according to the World Health Organization. It eases neurological, respiratory, gastrointestinal, and mental health issues.
Of course, acupuncture isn’t the most conventional method for treating pain. When it comes to deciding between acupuncture vs massage, some individuals might prefer massages because they’re less intimidating.
However, acupuncture has its benefits. It’s a holistic treatment method designed to get to the source of the pain. Plus, if you are struggling from other illnesses, acupuncture treatment could assist with those ailments as well.
What Is Massaging?
Therapeutic massages consist of manually kneading and adjusting connective tissue and muscle to minimize pain and tension. Not only does a body massage feel nice, but it works to loosen tight, aching muscles. The consistent motion relieves pressure on various body parts.
By manually working out the tense areas of the body, massages inevitably relieve pain. Furthermore, your tendons, skin, joints, ligaments, and lymphatic vessels can also benefit from massages. Your gastrointestinal organs can too!
Massages soothe anxiety and other mental and emotional issues simply because of the relaxation that it provides. That in itself is a huge a benefit.
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Acupuncture vs Massage: Which It’s More Effective?
Well, the answer to which option is best isn’t cut and dry. There is a study that shows that acupuncture is more effective than massages—especially for individuals with neck pain.
On the other hand, massages prove to be more effective for individuals who have chronic back pain. You should make your decision based on your preference and a recommendation from your physician.
Acupuncture vs Massage: Determining the Best Option
As you can see, there are extensive benefits to both acupuncture and massages. The option that you choose depends on the severity of your pain and your preference. Hopefully, the content above helps you to narrow down your decision.
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