Do you experience muscle pain? Does your aching body keep you up at night? Are you tired of endless visits to your local GP?
Don't be alarmed. You're not the only one.
Millions of people experience similar symptoms every day. The good news is, there are many natural ways to relieve your pain.
Natural therapies such as acupuncture or massage are both proven effective treatments for muscle pain. They're also comforting for your mind and body while helping you avoid taking medications that may have harmful side effects.
But how do you know which is best for you? Both treatment methods have their strengths and weaknesses, and a verdict on which one's for you is often not as simple as yes or no. Ultimately, the choice is yours.
The best way to make the decision depends on the driving factor behind your complaint and your personal likes/dislikes. But, if you're having a hard time weighing up between the two, let's make it easier for you.
Let's take a look at the relative benefits of each to help you make an informed decision.
Acupuncture
Acupuncture is a natural treatment that provides pain relief by inserting thin needles through the skin at particular acupressure points to stimulate specific parts of the body. If your body pain is uncomplicated, acupuncture could be the right fit for you.
It's one of Asia's oldest healing practices and is now popularly used in Western medicine. Studies show that there is a direct correlation between blood flow and energy. Acupuncture regulates the energy flow in your body, targeting the root cause of your pain as well.
Acupuncture can give you long term relief from acute pain when compared to painkillers and paracetamols. But it depends on the kind of pain you have.
Overactive nerves or muscle injuries usually cause sharp, stabbing pain. If that's your problem, getting acupuncture ASAP is a good idea. Your acupuncturist will use needles to rectify the blood/energy of the affected areas and prompt instant and ongoing relief.
Are you scared of needles? If so, the choice is pretty simple - acupuncture may not be for you. To allay your fears, though, the needles are extremely fine and do not penetrate beyond the skin's deepest layers, so you'll feel absolutely no pain.
Massage
Massage almost always provides instant relief because manually manipulating muscles and tissues can help reduce your overall body pain and tension.
The relaxation afforded by a professional remedial massage can also help speed up your recovery time, improve your sleep and reduce your anxiety. By improving your body's circulation and loosening tight muscles, you'll get a broader range of motion that won't cause pain.
If your pain is chronic, dull or achy, a good massage is your best friend. Relax and relieve tension in just 30 minutes. You'll also increase blood flow to the affected muscles and start to remove muscle pain and fatigue, restoring your body to its natural state.
Can you choose both? The answer is a big yes. It�s actually recommended you have a massage after acupuncture to optimise your results. Because acupuncture and massage work at different bodily levels, combining the two will deliver even greater relief from pain.