5,000 years ago, a man died in the Alps. The tattoos on his skin may have been his medicine.

When scientists discovered the mummified body of Ötzi the Iceman, they didn’t expect his preserved skin to tell a medical story. But 61 tattoos later, that’s exactly what emerged. A Japanese researcher noticed that the marks matched known acupuncture points—particularly those used for joint pain and digestive distress. Later scans confirmed it: Ötzi had arthritis and a parasitic infection.

His body had been mapped with a treatment plan long before modern medicine had names for his conditions.

Today, Dr. Kris Justesen, OMD, is part of the long arc of this healing tradition. She doesn’t advertise magic. She doesn’t chase trends. What she offers is something older, deeper, and—as she learned the hard way—shockingly effective.

A Skeptic with a Shoulder Injury

Dr. Justesen wasn’t always an advocate for acupuncture. In fact, she nearly dropped out of school after enrolling in an acupuncture program on a whim. “They were talking about putting a needle in one spot to fix another part of the body,” she recalls. “It sounded ridiculous.”

Then she injured her shoulder lifting heavy concrete blocks. The pain was so intense she couldn’t move her arm. Chiropractors didn’t help. Meds didn’t help. And then a classmate suggested she visit one of the doctors in the student clinic—a former orthopedic surgeon from China.

“One treatment gave me back 30% of my mobility,” she says. “A second gave me full range of motion.”

The pain wasn’t gone, but her functionality was. And with that, her doubt vanished.

“That was the moment I knew,” she says. “This stuff works.”

It’s Not Woo. It’s a Medical System.

Acupuncture isn’t just a wellness trend—it’s a complex medical system developed over thousands of years. It works by stimulating the body’s natural healing processes through energy pathways known as meridians. When these pathways are blocked or out of balance, illness and pain can result. The needles simply nudge the body in the right direction.

“We’re not fixing the body,” Dr. Justesen explains. “We’re reminding it how to fix itself.”

She compares her role to that of a coach—guiding, stimulating, and strategically placing pressure where the body needs attention most.

While Western science hasn’t fully explained the mechanisms, technologies like Kirlian photography have visualized energetic activity in the body. But long before imaging machines, people understood the results. Relief. Recovery. Balance.

Dry Needling vs. Acupuncture: Don’t Be Fooled

If you’ve heard of “dry needling,” you’ve heard of acupuncture—just under a different name. The term was invented to rebrand the practice for Western audiences. “Dry needling is acupuncture,” Dr. Justesen says. “It’s just marketed differently.”

And that’s where things get murky. Many physical therapists and chiropractors offer dry needling with minimal training. In contrast, licensed acupuncturists in Utah complete rigorous education—often a bachelor’s degree followed by four years of acupuncture school, plus postgraduate work for those who pursue doctorates.

“Anyone can put a needle in you,” she says. “But how those needles interact, how deeply they go, and what points are chosen—that’s the difference between someone trained and someone guessing.”

What About Cupping and Electrical Stimulation?

Dr. Justesen also uses complementary therapies like fire cupping and electroacupuncture. Fire cupping creates suction to promote circulation and break up stagnation—what one of her teachers called “opening a window to the body.” Meanwhile, electric stimulation applies a gentle pulse through the needle to activate deeper tissues.

Used correctly, both are powerful tools. But not every patient needs them. And not every provider knows when—or when not—to use them.

Healing Without Steroids: Regenerative Injection Therapy

For pain and inflammation, Dr. Justesen offers regenerative injection therapy, a steroid-free alternative that helps the body jumpstart its own repair process. The formula includes dextrose, B vitamins, saline, and a short-acting anesthetic. The dextrose acts as a mild irritant, tricking the body into responding as if it’s injured—triggering a cascade of healing factors.

“It’s like sending in the body’s repair crew without causing damage,” she says.

This approach works especially well for joint pain, soft tissue injuries, and whiplash. It’s not covered by all insurance providers, but auto accident insurance often does.

Don’t Call It a Placebo

Skeptics often dismiss acupuncture as placebo. Dr. Justesen has heard it all. But she’s also seen the results—especially in people who were convinced it wouldn’t work.

“I’ve had patients say, ‘I’m just here so I can say I tried everything,’” she recalls. “And then they’re shocked when it actually helps.”

Belief can enhance any treatment. But with acupuncture, belief isn’t required.

Herbs, Food, and the Internal Environment

At Alpine Wellness Center, treatment doesn’t end with the needles. Dr. Justesen uses traditional Chinese herbal medicine, often prescribing complex combinations that include unexpected ingredients like earthworms or silkworms.

It’s all part of an ancient system that sees the body as an internal ecosystem—with its own version of wind, damp, heat, cold, and dryness.

She also teaches patients to look closely at what they eat. After years of consuming tomatoes, potatoes, and peppers, Dr. Justesen developed an intolerance to nightshades—plants that can trigger inflammation. “I wouldn’t have guessed it,” she says. “But once I cut them out, the symptoms vanished.”

She encourages others to explore their own sensitivities. “Something can be healthy and still be wrong for you,” she says.

Needles and Nervous Systems

Some patients come in afraid of needles. But most are surprised at how little it hurts—and how deeply relaxed they feel afterward. Dr. Justesen has a set of “stress points” she uses to calm the heart, mind, and nervous system. “Once I get you to hold still,” she laughs, “the transformation begins.”

Acupuncture is especially helpful for anxiety, depression, and burnout. It’s not a one-shot cure, but it helps regulate systems that are often out of sync.

“It’s like giving your body a software update,” she says.

Even the Dogs Get Treatment

Her two senior dogs don’t love needles, but she still treats them with acupressure and dietary support. One suffers from arthritis after years of joint issues, and Dr. Justesen manages her condition with gentle bodywork and careful nutrition.

“They don’t get people food,” she says. “But they get what they need.”

How to Choose an Acupuncturist

Dr. Justesen’s advice? Do your homework. Acupuncturists aren’t one-size-fits-all. Some specialize in fertility. Others focus on pain, anxiety, digestion, or trauma.

“Look for someone licensed. Ask questions. And be open,” she says. “If nothing else has worked, maybe it’s time to try what’s been working for 5,000 years.”