WHAT IS ACUPUNCTURE?

Acupuncture is one of the oldest healing methods in the world with evidence dating back to around 6,000 BC, which is almost 8,000 years of continuous use.  Developed over time and refined over thousands of years, acupuncture can help the body find balance and homeostasis to help heal almost every human ailment known.  Acupuncture is the most used method of healing in the world as a primary or adjunct treatment for almost every condition; although highly underutilized and often misunderstood in the United States and by Western Medicine.

Acupuncture affects every system of the body; including pulmonary, cardiac, nervous, endocrine, immune, and genitourinary systems.  Acupuncture has three major effects on the body; it relieves pain, it reduces inflammation and it helps restore homeostasis.  Acupuncture does this primarily by stimulating the peripheral nervous system (chiropractic by contrast affects the body by stimulating the central nervous system).  Acupuncture does that by stimulating specific areas or ‘nodes’ of a high concentration of neurovascular bundles.  Stimulation of these areas (of which there are over 400 identified) helps promote blood flow, releases natural pain killers, relaxes shortened muscles thus reducing pain and stimulating the innate healing process by reducing stress on the body.

WHAT IS DRY NEEDLING?

Dry needling is also called trigger point dry needling or myofascial trigger point dry needling. It is done to treat myofascial pain. Clinicians push thin solid needles through the skin into trigger points. The needles are used to stimulate the tissue, not to inject the medication.

Muscles sometimes develop knotted areas called trigger points. These trigger points are highly sensitive and can be painful when touched. They are also often the cause of referred pain (or pain that affects another part of the body).

Pain affects how your body moves. It is thought that dry needling changes the way the brain and muscles talk to each other to let the system return to a more normal movement pattern.

WHAT CAN IT TREAT?

Acupuncture or dry needling can be used to treat pain or aid in treating all diseases and conditions because it does not target a precise issue; rather it facilitates your body in its healing by stimulation of neurovascular ‘nodes’ (acupuncture points). Specific nodes are activated according to each patient’s condition.  Acupuncture treats the whole person and although it is not directed at a particular disease process, it can very effectively be used to aid the body in healing disease on its own. Regular or even semi-regular use of acupuncture can help keep you free of disease by keeping your body in peak condition.

Dry needling is a shorter treatment duration and is specifically used to reduce myofascial pain and treat persistent trigger points.  Dry needling does not treat the whole person but can be very effective at reducing pain and balancing movement.

DOES IT HURT?

Many people in the US are initially skeptical of acupuncture because it is not well understood or there is a perception of pain with the process of treatment.  Acupuncture is relatively painless and the practitioner and patient are in constant communication during the insertion of the very thin needles.  Many times the patient does not even know the procedure is happening and often will fall asleep during treatment. Even those with an aversion to needles will find they have little to no issue with acupuncture treatment.

Dry needling should not hurt but sometimes can be mildly painful.  The amount of pain is usually due to the experience of the practitioner doing the dry needling and the technique used.  Chiropractors trained as acupuncturists tend to have a softer touch and perform more comfortable needling due to training and experience.

Acupuncture Treatment in West Des Moines, IA

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Dr. Wilson and Dr, Alec (PT) are both top-notch, and I’ve trusted my whole family with Dr. Matt Wilson for the last couple of years. My father was a chiropractor for over 40 years, so I knew what I was looking for, and he’s the best we’ve found in the area.  Their approach is to get you feeling better, and not to string things out, costing you more time and money than necessary. While they have all the equipment necessary (x-ray, etc) they don’t push unneeded services or snake oils. Both are caring, competent, and compassionate. The staff is good about finding appointments when you need them, and scheduling you with multiple people in a visit whenever possible. The new building is clean, well-appointed, and comfortable. Wait times are short, too. My husband has also had a therapy-based deep tissue massage from one of the two new massage therapists, and said it really helped!

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