Why Acupuncture May Feel Effective Immediately but the Effects Do Not Always Last

為什麼針灸常有即時效果，但療效未必持續？

Immediate effects are common—and expected

Many people experience rapid changes after acupuncture, such as reduced pain, muscle relaxation, or a sense of calm. These responses reflect short-term modulation of sensory input, muscle tone, and central nervous system activity.

許多人在針灸後會立刻感到疼痛減輕、肌肉放鬆或情緒平靜。 這些反應多半來自感覺輸入、肌張力與中樞神經活動的 「短期調節效果」。

Why the effects often fade

In many clinical situations, the underlying drivers—such as tissue injury, altered motor control, chronic stress load, or long-standing habits—remain unchanged. As a result, once the acute regulatory effects wear off, symptoms may gradually return.

在多數臨床情境中，真正的問題來源（例如組織損傷、 運動控制異常、長期壓力負荷或生活習慣） 並不會因一次治療而消失。 當短期調節效果消退後，症狀自然可能再次出現。

Why consistency matters

Acupuncture functions more like rehabilitation or exercise than a one-time fix. Regular and consistent sessions allow short-term changes to be reinforced, increasing the likelihood that regulatory effects accumulate into more stable patterns.

針灸的運作方式更接近復健或運動訓練， 需要規律且持續的刺激， 才能讓短期改變被反覆強化， 進而有機會逐步形成較穩定的狀態。

A realistic clinical perspective

Consistent acupuncture does not guarantee permanent results. However, it increases the likelihood that short-term symptom relief can translate into meaningful functional gains—especially when integrated with medical care, rehabilitation, and lifestyle adjustments.

持續的針灸治療並不保證永久效果， 但可提高短期症狀改善轉化為實質功能進步的可能性， 尤其在與醫療處置、復健訓練與生活調整並行時。