Medical acupuncture, is being used increasingly for pain control. Richard Niemtzow, MD, PhD, MPH, Editor-in-Chief of Medical Acupuncture, a peer-reviewed journal. Dr. Niemtzowi is at the forefront of these efforts in the military.

According to Dr. Niemtzow, a technique he developed has been so successful that the Air Force will begin teaching “Battlefield Acupuncture” to physicians deploying to Iraq and Afghanistan in early 2009. “Battlefield Acupuncture” can relieve severe pain lasting several days.

Based on modern neurophysiological concepts, Niemtzow developed a variation of acupuncture that involves inserting very tiny semi-permanent needles into very specific acupoints in the skin on the ear to block pain signals from reaching the brain. This method can lessen the need for pain medications that may cause adverse or allergic reactions or addiction.

“This is one of the fastest pain attenuators in existence,” said Dr. Niemtzow, “The pain can be gone in five minutes

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Eureka Alert