Massage therapy and acupuncture have become widely accepted wellness practices, making it easy to assume that every important question has already been asked and answered. However, whether you’re exploring these therapies for the first time or have made them a regular part of your self-care routine, it’s always worthwhile to revisit the conversation. Open communication with your practitioner helps ensure your treatments continue to meet your individual needs, goals, and overall health.
The information below is presented in a convenient FAQ format designed to answer some of the most common questions about acupuncture and massage therapy treatments.
For a deeper look into specific approaches and techniques, we invite you to re-read three of our previous blog posts: It’s Your First Acupuncture Appointment: What Can You Expect? (Aug 2025), Acupuncture Without Needles? (Sep 2025), and Moxibustion: Let Me Count the Ways (May 2026). These articles explore the “how” and “why” behind various treatment methods in greater detail, while this FAQ provides a broader overview of what you may experience. You may notice some overlap between the posts, but each offers its own perspective and insights.
As you read through this information, you may find yourself with new questions and we welcome that! Curiosity and conversation are important parts of your care. If questions come up, then please feel free to call the clinic or bring them to your next appointment. We are always happy to discuss Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) techniques, explain your treatment options, compare/ contrast massage styles, and help you better understand your personal wellness journey.
Q. What information and preferences should I share with my practitioner?
A. Open communication helps us provide a safe, comfortable, and personalized treatment. Before and during your appointment, please inform your practitioner about:
- Your health history: Please share any medical conditions you have, including bleeding or clotting disorders, recent injuries, surgeries, or other health concerns. If something comes to mind during your treatment, don’t hesitate to mention it.
- Your pressure preferences: If you know whether you prefer a lighter or deeper treatment, let us know. If you’re unsure, that’s perfectly fine. Your preferences often become clearer over the course of a few sessions as you and your practitioner learn what works best for your body.
- Areas you’d like us to avoid: If there are parts of your body you don’t want treated or touched, simply let us know.
- Allergies or sensitivities: Please mention any allergies, especially to fragrances or scented products. Our salves and balms contain only natural essential oils, but we also offer unscented options.
- Your comfort preferences: Everyone has a different comfort level when it comes to temperature and coverage. We can adjust blankets, draping, table warmers, space heaters, or fans to help you feel at ease.
- Your communication style: Some people enjoy light conversation during treatment, while others prefer a quiet, peaceful environment. Either is completely welcome—just let your practitioner know what helps you relax most.
Q. Do I have to get undressed?
A. Your comfort is always our priority.
For massage therapy, your practitioner will leave the room while you undress to your personal comfort level. Once you’re on the table, you’ll cover yourself with a sheet. Throughout the session, you’ll remain professionally draped for warmth, comfort, and privacy. Only the area being treated will be uncovered at any given time.
If you prefer to remain fully clothed, Shiatsu and Thai massage are excellent options. Both are performed through comfortable clothing while you relax on a cushioned floor mat (futon), eliminating the need to undress.
For acupuncture, most people remain fully clothed for the majority of their appointment. Depending upon your treatment plan, your acupuncturist may ask you to uncover specific areas of the body to allow for needling, cupping (a type of suction), Gua Sha (a type of skin scraping), or Tuina (a form of traditional Chinese therapeutic massage). Draping is always provided as needed to ensure your comfort, warmth, and privacy throughout your treatment.
Q. Does massage have to hurt to be effective?
A. No, effective massage does not have to be painful. The most effective massage is one that is tailored to your needs, comfort level, and treatment goals.
Your practitioner will encourage open communication throughout your session and will check in with you about your comfort level. If something feels too intense or uncomfortable, please let us know. Together, you can determine whether the sensation is a productive “good hurt”, often described as therapeutic discomfort, or whether it’s best to reduce the pressure or move to a less sensitive area.
Some people who receive massage regularly may choose deeper pressure because they find it provides lasting relief. Others experience excellent results with a lighter touch. Therapeutic massage is about finding the right balance of pressure to encourage healing, not pushing through unnecessary pain. Healing can be both effective and comfortable.
Q. Will I be sore after my treatment?
A. Every body responds differently to massage and to the level of pressure that they choose. You may or may not experience some soreness after your treatment, and both responses are completely normal.
If soreness does occur, it is often similar to the feeling you might have after a good workout and typically lasts 24 to 48 hours. Deeper therapeutic work is more likely to cause temporary muscle soreness, but it can occasionally happen after a relaxation massage, as well. Interestingly, this mild soreness is often accompanied by reduced pain, improved mobility, and an overall sense of relief. Once it subsides, many people find they feel even better than they did before their appointment.
If, however, you are feeling worse after two to three days from your appointment, or if you have any concerns about your recovery, then please contact us. We’re happy to discuss your experience and answer any questions.
Tip: Staying well hydrated before and after your treatment is one of the best ways to support your recovery. Good hydration can help minimize soreness and allows your muscles and tissues to respond more comfortably to treatment.
Q. What’s the difference between soreness and pain?
A. Soreness is a temporary sensation of discomfort or tenderness in muscles. Your treatment may challenge your muscles in unaccustomed ways, but is typically not associated with any threat to tissue integrity. Pain is a warning signal that something is wrong. It is usually persistent and indicates the need for medical attention beyond the scope of massage or acupuncture.
Q. Can massage and acupuncture be emotionally triggering?
A. Yes, touch can be a catalyst for unexpected emotional release during or after treatment, especially in individuals with a trauma history. Bodywork, coupled with psychotherapy, can be useful in these situations.
Q. How often should I receive acupuncture or massage?
A. The ideal treatment schedule depends on your individual health goals and the condition/s being addressed. Your practitioner will work with you to develop a treatment plan that is tailored to your needs, goals, and response to care.
If you’re seeking care for a specific injury or health concern, we often recommend weekly treatments for approximately four weeks. This allows your practitioner to build on each session and monitor your progress. Chronic conditions, repetitive strain from work, or sports-related injuries may require additional weekly treatments until your symptoms improve and become more manageable.
Once your condition is stable and your symptoms are under control, many people choose to continue with monthly wellness visits. Regular maintenance treatments can help manage stress, support recovery, improve overall well-being, and reduce the likelihood of symptoms returning.
Q. Does acupuncture hurt?
A. Most people find acupuncture to be much more comfortable than they expect.
When a needle is inserted, you may feel a brief pinprick or a mild sensation that lasts only a moment. This is often followed by feelings of warmth, tingling, heaviness, dull aching, or a gentle sensation that travels away from the needle. These responses are normal and are often considered signs that the treatment is stimulating the body’s natural healing processes.
Some people feel very little or nothing at all. Once the needles have been in place for a few minutes, many patients are no longer aware of them and are able to relax deeply during the treatment.
Q. How will I feel after my acupuncture treatment?
A. Everyone’s body responds to acupuncture a little differently. Many people leave their treatment feeling deeply relaxed, calm, or pleasantly tired. It’s also common to feel immediate relief from your symptoms. Although, the duration of that relief varies, depending on your individual condition and how long you’ve been experiencing it.
As your body responds to treatment, you may notice a temporary increase in symptoms or mild effects such as fatigue, digestive changes, nausea, or diarrhea during the first 24 to 48 hours. These reactions are uncommon and are often short-lived, resolving as your body adjusts. They may even be followed by noticeable improvement.
If you experience any side effects that are severe, concerning, or last longer than 48 hours, then please contact our office. Our goal is to ensure your treatments are both safe and effective, and we’re always happy to answer any questions about your response to care. Acupuncture is a gentle therapy, and, in some cases, we may need to adjust your treatment approach or the “dose” of stimulation to better suit your individual needs.
Q. What is my acupuncturist burning during treatment?
A. Your acupuncturist may be using moxibustion, often called moxa, a traditional therapy that is frequently used alongside acupuncture. Moxibustion involves the gentle application of heat to specific acupuncture points to promote circulation, encourage healing, and enhance the therapeutic effects of treatment.
Moxa is made from the dried leaves of mugwort, an herb that has been used in Traditional Chinese Medicine for centuries. Depending on your treatment plan, your acupuncturist may use one of several techniques:
- Needle moxibustion: A small amount of loose moxa is rolled into a ball and placed on the handle of an acupuncture needle. The moxa us then lit, allowing gentle warmth to travel down the needle to the acupuncture point.
- Moxa stick (or moxa pole): A smoldering moxa stick is held close to the skin without touching it, providing soothing radiant heat to the treatment area.
- Direct moxibustion: Tiny, rice grain-sized cones of moxa are placed on specific acupuncture points and lit. They burn for only a brief moment and are removed before they can cause injury. You may feel a quick warming or pinprick sensation, similar to the feeling of an acupuncture needle.
Many people find the warmth of moxibustion to be deeply relaxing and comforting. If you have any concerns about the heat or smell during treatment, let your acupuncturist know—they can adjust the technique to ensure you’re comfortable.
Q. What are Gua Sha and cupping? And what are those colorful marks?
A. Gua Sha and cupping are traditional therapies that are often used alongside acupuncture to help relieve muscle tension, improve circulation, and support the body’s natural healing process.
- Gua Sha uses a smooth-edged tool to gently glide over the skin, creating friction that helps release tight muscles and promote healthy circulation.
- Cupping uses gentle suction created by special cups to lift the skin and underlying tissues, helping to ease muscle tightness, improve blood flow, and reduce discomfort.
After Gua Sha or cupping, you may notice pink, red, or purple circular or speckled marks on the skin. While they can look dramatic, these marks are not bruises and are typically not painful. They are a normal response to treatment and usually fade within 3 to 7 days, depending on the individual and the intensity of the treatment.
If you have questions about whether any of these therapies are right for you, your practitioner will be happy to explain the benefits and recommend the approach that best supports your treatment goals.
Q. What can I do after my massage or acupuncture treatment to maximize the benefits?
A. The hours following your treatment are an important part of the healing process. To help your body get the most from your session, we recommend:
- Rest, if you can. Give your body time to absorb the effects of treatment, especially if you’re feeling deeply relaxed or a bit tired.
- Stay well hydrated. Drinking plenty of water before and after your appointment helps support your body’s natural recovery.
- Ease any temporary soreness. A warm Epsom salt bath or foot soak may feel good. The application of Arnica gel or Magnesium lotion to tender or bruised areas may also help relieve post-treatment discomfort.
- Keep moving gently. If your practitioner has recommended stretches or gentle exercises, then incorporating them into your routine can help maintain flexibility and extend the benefits of your treatment.
If you have any questions about how you’re feeling after your appointment, or if anything doesn’t seem quite right, please contact us. We’re always happy to help.
Q. Does MassageCraft bill insurance for massage or acupuncture?
A. MassageCraft will direct bill insurance if treatments have been prescribed and authorized by the Veterans Affairs’ Community Care Network (VACCN).
For all other clients, we ask that you provide payment at the time of your appointment. If you have insurance coverage for massage and/or acupuncture, then we will provide you with a detailed, itemized invoice (a superbill) that you can submit to your insurer.
MassageCraft can process payments made through HSA cards.
Conclusion
Your comfort, well-being, and goals for care are at the heart of everything we do. Whether you are receiving acupuncture, massage therapy, or a combination of both, we believe the most effective treatments begin with understanding you as an individual.
Open communication is an essential part of your care. We encourage you to share your needs, preferences, concerns, and experiences so that we can create a session tailored specifically to you. Your feedback helps us adjust techniques, treatment intensity, and approaches to ensure your experience is both comfortable and meaningful.
Whether you are seeking relief from pain and tension, support for recovery, stress reduction, improved mobility, or simply a moment of restoration, our goal is to provide thoughtful, personalized care that supports your overall health and wellness.
Thank you for choosing MassageCraft. We are honored to be part of your wellness journey and are here to support you with compassionate, skilled acupuncture and massage care. We are at your service, healing together.
This blog is not intended to replace a consultation with a medical professional. Please seek attention from a clinician for any of the conditions mentioned above. If symptoms are severe, persistent, or life-threatening, seek medical intervention as soon as possible. Acupuncture and massage therapy may be important supports for allopathic interventions.