One of the more common questions people ask before starting acupuncture is, “How often do I need acupuncture?” This is a great question! It’s important to know what you’re signing up for, the be able to budget your time and money for your care, and to decide if you’re ready to start this new type of treatment.

Unfortunately, the short answer to this question is often unsatisfying: it depends. There are a lot of factors that contribute to the success of a treatment plan and a lot of variables that can impact the progress! So, let's dig a bit deeper into the question, and then I will give some general recommendations towards the end of the entry.⁠

I often field questions from people asking about the differences and similarities between acupuncture from a Licensed Acupuncturist (LAc) and a Chiropractor (DC). It’s common to see Chiropractic offices in Iowa advertising “chiropractic & acupuncture” - but this can be confusing to consumers! So, continuing down the potentially controversial path, here is information that (I hope!) can help people sort out what they are looking for in their acupuncture practitioner.

People always ask me what the difference between dry needling and acupuncture is! I’ll say right up front - this is a hot issue in both acupuncture and physical therapy (providers who do dry needling) fields, with a lot of opinions on each side. But, as patients, what is important is to know the difference so you can know how each can help you! So, my hope with this entry is to clear up some confusion and answer some common questions.