Acupuncture for Pain in the Military
January 30th, 2009
Military physicians at Andrews Air Force Base are now treating the acute and chronic pain experienced by wounded troops with acupuncture. According to Air Force senior officials, “battlefield acupuncture” will be taught to physicians deploying to Iraq and Afghanistan by early next year.
Acupuncture to treat acute and chronic pain has not been endorsed as a medical treatment in the military prior to the recent “battlefield acupuncture” therapy. The ear acupuncture method to reduce pain was developed by Air Force acupuncture physician Col. Richard Niemtzow.
The acupuncture is intended as an adjunct therapy to aid wounded patients initially treated with pain medications by physicians in the field. Niemtzow’s method of acupuncture differs from traditional Chinese medicine acupuncture treatment for pain and consists of needling up to five ear acupoints.
The “battlefield acupuncture” will eventually be taught to combat troops, doctors and medics in addition to conventional battlefield first aid to treat wounded troops experiencing brain injury, combat wounds, severed limbs, penetrating wounds, burns, disorientation, and anxiety.
There is a strong correlation between acupuncture point locations and the nervous system’s pain pathways. Many acupoints are near nerves. When stimulated, these nerves cause the release of endorphins (morphine-like chemicals). In chronic pain conditions, acupuncture points are frequently trigger points (painful muscle areas). Trigger point needling causes the painful muscle area to disappear.
Back pain, sciatica, shoulder/arm pain, myofascial pain, and osteoarthritis pain have similar characteristics including: Inhibition of blood supply, alleviation of pain with warmth and a worsening of the pain severity with cold and damp.
Most of these pain conditions are related to trigger point activity, which when left untreated can amplify pain. Acupuncture removes qi (vital energy) obstructions, improves blood flow and can aid in nourishing the muscles.
Acupuncture is effective in treating conditions such as fibromyalgia (chronic pain condition affecting muscles and connective tissues), neck pain, arthritis (osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis), knee pain, myofascial (connective tissue) pain, lower back pain, musculoskeletal injuries, and carpal tunnel syndrome.
The improved energy and reduced pain produced by acupuncture results in enhancing the body’s natural healing abilities.
For more information about acupuncture for pain management contact Dr. Richard Browne at (305) 595-9500. Jan. 26.
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