Can You Get A Massage Before Acupuncture?

Riley Speers • February 12, 2022

Should you get a massage before or after acupuncture?

Patient receiving acupuncture at health clinic

Is it better to get a massage before or after your acupuncture treatment?” has become increasingly popular in the wellness sector. We did our homework and spoke with specialists in the field to find out what we discovered.


In Canada, massages are more popular than acupuncture treatments. The massage industry market in Canada was worth over $8bn according to the Fraser Institute in 2016.


Although many individuals are perplexed about which therapy to start with, the right mix of massage and acupuncture therapies will bring anybody back to their best both mentally, physically, and spiritually.


So... is the order of treatments important?


Why are massages more popular than acupuncture?


It's worth noting that massages are more popular than acupuncture.


The therapies have a number of fundamental distinctions that must be considered. Acupuncture is a type of healing technique that has been used for thousands of years. It involves inserting tiny needles into specific acupuncture points to cure pain and other problems.


Massages in Canada are also a registered form of therapy. Therapeutic massage is the manual kneading and manipulation of connective tissue and muscle. Ligaments, joints, skin, tendons, and other organs all benefit from the direct kneading of various tissues. Rather than needles, massage therapists typically use their hands, fingers and other mechanical aides to perform massages.


Many people have asked us which therapy is superior for their specific condition. Why not try them both? However, if you're going to get both types of therapy, make sure you do it correctly to maximize results.


Man receiving massage from massage therapist

How to pick whether or not you should get a massage before acupuncture

According to your own personal preferences, you may either get acupuncture before or after your massages. Consider how you feel after getting a massage. If you're usually sore following therapeutic massages, it's probably better to receive your acupuncture therapy first. If you feel calm and comfortable after a massage, that might be an ideal time to have an acupuncture treatment


The form of acupuncture you choose also has a bearing on your decision. Do you get up and work out or participate in a sports activity first thing? To assist relax the body, a massage might be useful before your acupuncture session. If you wake up feeling completely refreshed after getting adequate rest, it is sometimes a good idea to receive acupuncture treatment and a massage


In the end, there is no right or wrong answer. Each patient's motivation for receiving treatment, likes, and lifestyle will determine which treatment to use first. According to research, there is no clear relationship between the advantages of a massage before or after an acupuncture session and the treatments' outcomes.

How to ensure your next appointment goes well

Before your next acupuncture or registered massage therapy appointment, make sure you're well rested and drink plenty of water. These forms of therapy can be very dehydrating. Ensure you're prepared and you recover properly by drinking plenty of water the day before and right after your massage.

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