WFAA-TV

DALLAS - Many consider acupuncture as the oldest system of medicine in history.

It originated 5,000 years ago in China, and now the World Health Organization listed approximately four dozen different conditions that can be legitimately treated by it. Pain, stress and asthma are just a few problems the needles are said to relieve.

So, while it is said the power is in the needle, what about power without the puncture? One Dallas business has recently started offering needle-less acupuncture.

"Their lives are so stressful they can't really manage it; and everyone is looking for ways to feel better to manage their stress without popping pills," said Lisa Cobb, who owns Luxury on Lovers.

Regina Himelfarb is among those.

"It seems over time your body is readjusting itself instead of your body being out of whack," said Himelfarb, who gets traditional acupuncture.

Luxury on Lovers is not a typical day spa. While it does offer deep-tissue massages and advanced skin treatments, acupuncture procedures have become 50 percent of its business.

"All of us want the ability to maintain and not have those moments when you think, 'I am just going to curl up in a ball,'" Himelfarb said. "So, if you can, do it yourself; and this just helps you do that."

Acupuncture has become alternative medicine for many clients, but not everyone wants to relieve stress by inflicting pain. Doug Larson, a client at the spa, said he was a bit surprised by the pierce.

"I said, 'Will you put three needles in,' and she did," he said. "And she put one in my leg and I said, 'Whoa, that hurts.'"

But Acutron's needle-less process, which costs $98 before the consultant fee, has put minds like Larson's at ease.

"I'm excited about it because I know a lot of clients of mine who come to me for body work who say they want to try acupuncture, but they can't because of the needle aspect," said Kari Avery, an acupuncture therapist.

Avery uses the Acutron device to press a Q-Tip instead of a sharp needle into Larson's skin, so now he's among those that have "seen the light."

"In this context, we use it to rejuvenate the body quicker," Avery said. "The color has a healing balancing affect on the body."

She said the needle-less approach is already popular on the East and West coasts and hopes more North Texans will realize it has the same benefits as traditional acupuncture.

"It is based on the theory of using a microcurrent, so it's going to deal with pain issues," she said.

Larson said his back pain and allergies have improved.

"It was locked up and I wasn't standing erect or straight, and it was painful just to walk," he said. "...When I first showed up for needle-less, I was having trouble breathing at night and I was having a lot of trouble sleeping."

He also said his stress level is down and his energy back.

"I've tried all these things I can do on my own and it is time to get body work because it is releasing blocks," he said. "And when you release the block and then your energy is flowing. When your energy is flowing you are able to function better."

That's a sticking point with clients who embrace acupuncture, whether it is with needles or without.

E-mail ddenmon@wfaa.com