Acupuncture in West Des Moines, IA at Ashworth Chiropractic & Wellness being performed by a licensed practitioner

Acupuncture Services

  • Traditional Acupuncture

  • Dry Needling

Acupuncture Services FAQ

The thought of needles can be unsettling for many new to acupuncture, yet the experience is typically minimally invasive and not associated with pain. The needles used are extremely thin, facilitating a treatment that many patients describe as either not painful or only slightly uncomfortable. It’s not unusual for our patients to experience relaxation deep enough to fall asleep during a session. Our team prioritizes your comfort and constantly communicates with you to make adjustments as needed.

Acupuncture is recognized for its capacity to support the body’s own healing mechanisms. This holistic approach is effective in managing a diverse array of ailments, including but not limited to chronic pain, stress, digestive complications, and neurological issues. By aiming to balance the body’s energies, acupuncture serves as a comprehensive method for promoting health and wellness.

Dry needling is a technique that specifically targets muscle pain and tightness. This treatment involves the precise placement of needles into tender muscle points or “trigger points” to ease muscular pain and stiffness. Contrary to broader-focused traditional acupuncture, which seeks to balance energy pathways within the body, dry needling is aimed directly at localized areas of discomfort.

The duration of an acupuncture session can range from 30 to 60 minutes, depending largely on the nature of your treatment objectives and the specific therapies included in your treatment plan.

The appropriate number of acupuncture treatments varies widely among patients, influenced by factors such as the severity of the issue and individual responses to acupuncture. Your initial evaluation will help us outline a personalized treatment schedule, estimating the number of sessions likely needed to facilitate the best outcomes.

Coverage for acupuncture treatments is increasingly common, yet it varies by insurance provider and individual policy details.

Acupuncture services are covered only under specific circumstances:

  1. Medicare: Covered if performed by an MD, DO, or NP.
  2. Other Policies: Coverage applies if explicitly stated for DCs or Licensed Acupuncturists (LAc).

If covered, acupuncture is typically limited to the following conditions:

  • Chronic headaches or neck pain (lasting 12 weeks or more)
  • Low back pain
  • Nausea related to pregnancy
  • Pain from osteoarthritis in the hip or knee
  • Post-operative or chemotherapy-induced nausea or vomiting
  • Post-operative dental pain or temporomandibular disorders (TMD)

Important Note: Not all insurance policies cover Acupuncture for the above conditions either. Please check your specific policy for details and costs.

Dealing with ongoing pain, stress, or stubborn health concerns that don’t seem to improve? You’re not alone—and the right kind of care can make a real difference.

At Ashworth Chiropractic, we offer acupuncture in West Des Moines, IA to help you feel better in a natural, proven way.

Many of our patients come to us after trying different treatments that didn’t quite work. Whether you’re managing chronic back pain, muscle tension, migraines, or anxiety, acupuncture may offer the relief you’ve been looking for.

We tailor every treatment to your unique needs—not just your symptoms—so you get care that supports your long-term health.

Located in West Des Moines and trusted by patients from nearby communities, our team is here to guide you toward balance, recovery, and lasting wellness.

How Acupuncture Works

At Ashworth Chiropractic, our acupuncture process starts with you. We begin every treatment in West Des Moines with a thorough evaluation of your health concerns, lifestyle, and goals.

From there, we create a customized plan designed to support your body’s natural ability to heal—whether you’re dealing with chronic pain, stress, or mobility issues.

What to Expect from Your Treatment

  • Needle Insertion

    We use ultra-fine needles placed at precise points on the body, called “nodes.” These areas contain dense bundles of nerves and blood vessels.

    By stimulating these points, we encourage blood flow, release natural pain-relieving chemicals, relax tense muscles, and activate the body’s healing systems.

    This process can support multiple systems in the body, including your nervous, immune, endocrine, and circulatory systems—helping restore balance and reduce discomfort.

  • Dry Needling

    This technique is ideal for relieving muscle pain and tightness. By targeting trigger points—those sensitive knots in your muscles—dry needling helps restore proper function and movement.

    While acupuncture focuses on the body as a whole, dry needling is more localized and is especially useful for myofascial pain and musculoskeletal conditions.

How It All Comes Together

Unlike chiropractic adjustments that focus on the central nervous system, acupuncture and dry needling stimulate the peripheral nervous system. This complementary approach promotes deep healing from multiple angles.

Our treatments aren’t one-size-fits-all. They’re collaborative. We work closely with you at every stage of your care plan—and your consistent participation plays a key role in the results you’ll experience.

For most patients, the process is gentle and surprisingly comfortable. In fact, many hardly notice the needle insertion at all.

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.

Your Path to Wellness Begins Here!

Our experts in chiropractic, physical therapy, acupuncture, and massage therapy work as a team to provide holistic care that meets your specific needs. Book your appointment today and experience coordinated care.

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

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

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

First time getting acupuncture. Brandi was very thorough in explaining the process. Barely felt the needles which was good since I have a phobia of them.

Lisa McKinney, via Google

Ashworth Chiropractic and Acupuncture has been great. Brandi is a very thoughtful, caring acupuncturist, who knows her points well to help address various combinations of situations. Acu has been a helpful support. Thank you so much!

Dorothy Hsu, via Google

I have been here 3 times so far for acupuncture. Dr. Wilson is legit! He seems very knowledgeable and is friendly. He explained what we were going to do and why. He also talked about things I could do on my own to help myself! Which I definitely appreciate! The receptionist I dealt with was very nice as well! In my experience it did not hurt at all and Dr. Wilson made me feel comfortable. Obviously, I can only speak to my experience but I feel that acupuncture 100% works. I would/ will definitely go back! I really like this clinic! Highly recommend!

Lisa Young, via Google

I have acupuncture done with Brandi. She is very good at listening to me. I feel I’ve gotten better after a few treatments. My arm was numb and I had tingling sensation, but that’s all gone now. Will keep going.

Lisa Rasmussen, 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. 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

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