Battlefield Acupuncture

Battlefield Acupuncture (BFA) was first developed by Richard C. Niemtzow, MD, Ph.D., MPH, in 2001.

BFA is a unique, 5-point auricular (ear) acupuncture procedure currently used in many military and VA HCS facilities. BFA has been described as a simple, safe, fast-acting, and cost-effective alternative to opioid medications for managing chronic pain.

During the BFA treatment, up to 5 auricular semi-permanent (Aiguille Semi-Permanente®; ASP®) sterile needles in each ear. This technique can deliver significant attenuation of pain in just a few minutes by stimulating the central nervous system and involving the hypothalamus, thalamus, cingulate gyrus, and cerebral cortex structures, which are thought to inhibit the neurotransmitters and inflammatory makers and release endogenous opioids.

Studies using functional magnetic resonance imaging and positive electron tomography show that areas of the brain relating to pain sensation are inhibited when auricular acupuncture needles are in place. Therefore, BFA could be an effective nonpharmaceutical approach to pain management that could decrease the use of long-term opioids.