Massage therapy in West Des Moines, IA at Ashworth Chiropractic, Physical Therapy, and Acupuncture – professional hands-on treatment for pain relief

Massage Therapy Services

  • Deep Tissue Massage

  • Swedish Massage

  • Sports Massage

  • Myofascial Release

  • Aromatherapy

  • Hot Stone Therapy

  • Prenatal Massage

  • TMJ Massage

  • Cupping

Massage Therapy FAQ

Massage therapy here is provided by licensed clinicians with specific advanced training — Naomi Hooper, LMT specializes in TMJ and neuromuscular therapy; Shannon Barnes, LMT specializes in prenatal massage and therapeutic work for older adults. Both work alongside Ashworth’s chiropractic and physical therapy team, so when a patient’s presentation calls for coordinated care — soft tissue work alongside chiropractic adjustment or rehabilitative exercise — that coordination happens under one roof rather than across separate providers who don’t communicate. No referral is required to schedule.

You can begin your massage therapy sessions with us without a referral.

Massage sessions are customized to your needs, ranging from 30 to 120 minutes, whether the goal is brief relaxation or a more intensive therapeutic treatment.

Some deep tissue treatments may initially cause a bit of discomfort, which is quite normal. Rest assured, our therapists are experts at fine-tuning their techniques to make sure you stay comfortable throughout your session. Your comfort and well-being are our top priorities, and we’ll adjust the pressure to your preference.

The frequency and total number of massage sessions needed can differ greatly based on your individual therapeutic goals and any particular health concerns you have. At your initial appointment, we will design a customized treatment plan specifically for you. This plan is flexible and will be adjusted over time to reflect your feedback and any progress you experience.

We have found that most insurance providers do not cover massage services.

Feeling Stiff, Sore, or Stressed? Massage Therapy in West Des Moines, IA Can Help

Muscle tension, back pain, and stress accumulate from repetitive work postures, training load, and the accumulated wear of daily activity. Chronic tightness restricts movement and, left unaddressed, tends to compound into secondary compensation patterns elsewhere in the body.

Ashworth Chiropractic, Physical Therapy & Acupuncture provides massage therapy for patients managing chronic pain, recovering from injury, or seeking targeted relief from muscular tension. Our licensed massage therapists bring decades of combined clinical experience and treat clients primarily from West Des Moines, with regular clients from Urbandale, Clive, Waukee, Johnston, and the surrounding Des Moines metro. No referral is required.

Massage therapy at Ashworth is offered as both a standalone service and as a coordinated component of chiropractic and physical therapy treatment plans — the two are frequently combined for patients whose musculoskeletal conditions benefit from soft tissue work alongside manual or rehabilitative care.

How Massage Therapy Relieves Pain and Restores Mobility

Massage therapy addresses soft tissue restriction directly, producing measurable physiological effects:

  • Reduces muscular tension and improves tissue extensibility, restoring a fuller range of motion at the affected joint or region

  • Increases local circulation, supporting faster recovery from soft tissue tension and minor injury

  • Modulates the stress response, lowering circulating stress hormones associated with chronic muscular guarding

  • Addresses chronic pain patterns originating from sustained muscle tension, postural compensation, or prior injury

Many of our clients notice immediate relief after just one session, while regular treatments can prevent pain from coming back.

If soreness, stress, or tight muscles are slowing you down, it’s time to do something about it. Schedule your massage therapy session today and start feeling your best again.

Explore Our Range of Bodywork Techniques

Sessions range from 30 to 120 minutes, matched to the tissue and the goal. Our massage therapists at Ashworth Chiropractic in West Des Moines specialize in a range of techniques, each suited to a different therapeutic purpose

  • Swedish Massage: Perfect for relaxation and improving circulation.

  • Deep Tissue Massage: Targets deep layers of muscle and connective tissue to relieve severe tension.

  • Sports Massage: Ideal for athletes and those leading active lifestyles, focusing on areas of the body that are overused and stressed.
  • Myofascial Release: Helps relieve muscular tightness and discomfort through sustained pressure on the myofascial connective tissue.
  • Hot Stone Therapy: Uses heated stones to relax muscles and aid in deeper massage effects without excessive pressure.
  • Aromatherapy: Combines massage with essential oils to enhance the therapeutic benefits and stimulate the senses.

Each session is customized to ensure the most effective and satisfying experience, addressing your specific health needs and preferences.

Coordinated Care, Under One Roof

Chiropractic, physical therapy, acupuncture, and massage therapy are coordinated under one roof with the rest of your treatment plan rather than operating in isolation. Schedule your appointment to get started.

Maggie Bennett LMT

Naomi Hooper — Licensed Massage Therapist in West Des Moines, IA

Naomi Hooper is a Licensed Massage Therapist with over 10 years of clinical experience in therapeutic and integrative bodywork. She completed her training at the Colorado Institute of Massage Therapy, where her coursework emphasized functional anatomy, neuromuscular therapy, and soft tissue assessment.

At Ashworth, her practice centers on two primary areas: deep tissue massage for the management of pain and musculoskeletal conditions, and TMJ-specific soft tissue work for patients presenting with jaw pain, facial tension, and chronic muscular clenching patterns.

Temporomandibular dysfunction has a significant soft tissue component that dental appliances alone do not address. The masseter, pterygoid, and surrounding musculature can maintain a jaw in a dysfunctional position independent of occlusal hardware. Naomi’s approach targets this tissue directly, working alongside dental and chiropractic care when appropriate as part of a coordinated treatment plan.

Her deep tissue technique is calibrated for clinical effect — sufficient pressure to reach the involved tissue layers, with the control and specificity that distinguishes therapeutic from uncomfortable. The approach is adapted to each patient’s presentation and tolerance throughout the session.

Areas of specialization: Deep tissue massage, TMJ massage and jaw dysfunction, neuromuscular therapy, trigger point therapy, sports-specific massage, Swedish massage, cupping, massage with passive range of motion.

Naomi’s Office Hours

Wednesday
9:00 am to 6:00 pm

Thursday
9:00 am to 6:00 pm

Friday
9:00 am to 6:00 pm

Saturday
9:00 am to 6:00 pm

Maggie Bennett LMT

Shannon Barnes — Licensed Massage Therapist in West Des Moines, IA

Shannon Barnes is a Licensed Massage Therapist with over 20 years of clinical experience. Her practice addresses patients across the full span of adulthood, with particular expertise in prenatal massage and therapeutic massage for older adults — two populations that benefit significantly from individualized, adapted technique.

Shannon’s prenatal work is grounded in a detailed understanding of how the body changes at each stage of pregnancy: the anterior pelvic tilt and lumbar loading of the second trimester, the hip and sacroiliac joint strain that accompanies relaxin-driven ligamentous laxity, the round ligament tension and thoracic compensation that develop as the pregnancy progresses. Positioning, pressure, and technique are adapted accordingly at every stage. Her approach is informed by two decades of clinical pattern recognition across a high volume of prenatal cases.

Her work with older adults reflects a parallel philosophy: pressure, pace, and technique are calibrated to the physiological realities of aging tissue. The objective is not only pain relief, but sustained improvement in circulation, range of motion, and functional capacity between sessions.

Beyond these two areas of focus, Shannon provides a comprehensive range of therapeutic modalities, including Swedish massage, deep tissue massage, sports-specific massage, cupping, reflexology, and Reiki.

Areas of specialization: Prenatal massage, massage for older adults, Swedish massage, deep tissue massage, sports-specific massage, cupping, reflexology, Reiki.

Shannon’s Office Hours

Tuesday
9:00 am to 4:00 pm

Wednesday
9:00 am to 4:00 pm

What Our West Des Moines Patients & Clients Are Saying

First time getting a massage. Naomi walked me through the process and made me feel comfortable and relaxed throughout the process. I went in with a tight lower back and it is feeling amazing now.

Katherine Hall, Google

Dr. Matthew squeezed me in on short notice and took very good care of me. He was very thorough and didn’t just adjust me and let me walk out. Amazing experience here and the receptionist is a sweetheart.

Vanessa V., via Google

Everything runs smoothly. Everyone is very pleasant and professional. The facility is always very clean and it’s very nice. Shannon, the massage therapist, does an excellent job. I would recommend to everyone.

John Steward, Google

Dr. Matt and the entire staff have been GREAT! I went in for some issues I was having with my neck and back and Dr. Matt also helped me with some other issues I was having with my calf and shoulders that have made a HUGE improvement in my overall health and comfort.

I highly recommend using Dr. Matt!

Tyler, via Facebook

I really love it here! They are very friendly and I feel Dr. Wilson is giving me great treatment! I also don’t feel pressured into coming back too frequently. The adjustments are great! Great office!

Amy, via demandforce

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!

Heather B., Google

The whole staff is very kind and professional and flexible. I’m very pleased with my experience I’ve had at the clinic. They offer massages along with acupuncture and they do a great job in both. They are very accommodating and easy to talk to.

Cindy L., via Google

Dr. Matt has done wonders for me and I recommend him highly – I can’t say enough good things about him. Dr. Matt and staff are good people and will take great care of you.

Steve Q., via Google

Very professional and in depth consultation. These people seem to genuinely care about people’s health and progress.

Laura, via citysearch.com

Dr. Wilson and Dr, Alec (pt) are both top notch, and I’ve trusted my whole with Dr. Matt Wilson for the last couple 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. He’s also on our insurance. 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 ladies, and said it really helped!

Heather Bergstrom, Google

My first visit with DR Matt I could not walk standing up. I literally had to walk bent over. I was in so much pain. He looked at my MRI and knew what he was dealing with. He did gentle maneuvers,,stretching and massaging. I now walk upright with no pain 😃 Thank you DR Matt for giving me back my life!!

Christa Coleman, Google

Had a massage by Naomi. She’s awesome and we will be regulars. Professional, kind and knowledgeable!

Craig Tjeerdsma, via Google