Battlefield Acupuncture

Battlefield acupuncture was developed by the author in 2001 in the course of researching a more efficient auriculotherapy system for the rapid relief of pain. The name Battlefield Acupuncture, coined by the author, was probably influenced by the events of 911 with the destruction of the World Trade Towers in New York City by terrorists and the assumption that this novel system could be eventually used on the military battlefield. The technique has grown in popularity and we are aware of many civilian and military acupuncturists who utilize this technique daily in the battlefield of medical practice. Most recently, the author introduced this technique in Gottingen, Germany while teaching at a workshop at the European Society for Biological Lasertherapy and Acupuncture 2007. Reports from clinicians in Europe and in the Middle East were favorable and exciting. This methodology is also taught by Niemtzow at the Helms Medical Institute acupuncture course and likewise receives laudatory comments. This technique delivers significant attenuation of pain in just a few minutes. The length of the pain-free period does vary from minutes, hours, days, weeks, and months depending on the presenting pathology and the duration of the stimulate needles, electric and laser excitation of the auricular acupoints.