Acupuncture

Helping your body heal naturally

Acupuncture is one of the oldest and most widely practiced forms of medicine in the world. The World Health Organization recognizes it as effective for dozens of conditions, and modern research continues to validate its mechanisms and outcomes. At Chiropractic Solutions of Denver, acupuncture is a core part of our integrative treatment approach — not an afterthought.

Dr. Baldwin holds an Acupuncture Certification from Parker College of Chiropractic and completed post-graduate studies at Beijing University of Chinese Medicine. This training allows him to combine traditional acupuncture protocols with modern musculoskeletal assessment to treat pain, injury, and neurological conditions with precision.

How acupuncture works

From a Western biomedical perspective, acupuncture produces measurable physiological effects:

• Endorphin release — needle insertion stimulates the release of endorphins and enkephalins, the body's natural pain-relieving chemicals
• Inflammation reduction — acupuncture decreases pro-inflammatory cytokines and promotes anti-inflammatory mediators, reducing swelling and tissue irritation
• Neurotransmitter regulation — treatment influences serotonin and norepinephrine levels, which affect mood, pain perception, and sleep quality
• Improved circulation — local blood flow increases in treated areas, bringing oxygen and nutrients that support tissue repair
• Pain pathway disruption — acupuncture can reset pain signaling in the nervous system, particularly useful when the body has "learned to hurt" after an injury has healed but pain persists

A 2012 meta-analysis published in the Archives of Internal Medicine, analyzing data from nearly 18,000 patients across 29 randomized controlled trials, concluded that acupuncture is effective for chronic pain conditions and that its effects are not due to placebo alone.

Conditions we treat with acupuncture

Acupuncture is particularly effective for:

• Low back pain — one of the most well-researched applications, with multiple systematic reviews supporting its effectiveness
• Neck pain and whiplash — reduces pain, muscle spasm, and inflammation in the cervical region
• Headaches and migraines — a Cochrane review found acupuncture effective for both migraine prevention and tension headache treatment
• Sciatica — reduces nerve inflammation and pain along the sciatic nerve pathway
• Osteoarthritis — particularly knee and hip arthritis, where acupuncture can reduce pain and improve function
• Carpal tunnel syndrome — addresses nerve compression and inflammation along the median nerve
• Fibromyalgia — reduces widespread pain and improves sleep quality
• Sports injuries — accelerates recovery from sprains, strains, and tendinopathy
• Stress and tension — regulates the autonomic nervous system, reducing the fight-or-flight response

What to expect during treatment

Acupuncture needles are extremely thin — roughly the diameter of a human hair — and most patients feel little to no discomfort during insertion. You may feel a mild sensation of heaviness, warmth, or tingling at the needle site, which indicates that the treatment point has been activated.

Dr. Baldwin uses several acupuncture approaches depending on the condition:

• Targeted needling — needles placed at specific pain points and along affected nerve pathways
• Prescription protocols — established point combinations for specific injuries and conditions, drawn from both traditional Chinese medicine and modern research
• Auricular acupuncture — treatment through points on the ear, which has been shown to help regulate the autonomic nervous system. Dr. Baldwin uses auricular acupuncture in conjunction with body needling for an amplified therapeutic effect.

Sessions typically last 20 to 30 minutes. The number of treatments needed varies by condition — acute problems may respond in 4 to 6 sessions, while chronic conditions often require a longer course of care.

How acupuncture complements chiropractic care

Chiropractic adjustments restore joint mechanics; acupuncture addresses the soft tissue inflammation, pain signaling, and muscle guarding that often accompany joint dysfunction. Used together, the two therapies produce faster and more durable results than either alone. This is why acupuncture is integrated into many of our treatment plans rather than offered as a standalone service.

Is acupuncture covered by insurance?

Coverage for acupuncture varies by insurance plan, but an increasing number of carriers now include it as a covered benefit. Our team will verify your benefits before treatment begins. We also offer affordable self-pay options for patients whose plans do not cover acupuncture.

Contact us at 303.647.9196 or Schedule Appointment to schedule a consultation and find out if acupuncture in Denver is the right treatment for your condition.