Acupuncture has been used as a form of healing for centuries. It is believed to be helpful in treating a wide variety of health issues. Community acupuncture clinics offer low-cost rates for anyone who wants to receive treatment. Acupuncture services are great for chronic pain management, but can also treat issues such as anxiety, stress, insomnia and so much more. Acupuncture for veterans was specifically developed for use with deployed soldiers as a complementary and integrative health approach.

In this post, we'll take a closer look at acupuncture and how it can benefit veterans. Whether you're a veteran yourself or know someone who is, read on to learn more about these treatments.

History of battlefield acupuncture for veterans

The U.S. military has applied acupuncture as a strategy to combat opioid addiction among its ranks. Acupuncture was first used in China more than 8,000 years ago and is still practiced there today. Brought to the United States in the 1970s by James Reston, a journalist who experienced acupuncture. Reston was treated while covering China's relations with the United States.

Acupuncture is based on the belief that energy pathways or meridians are running throughout the body. These pathways connect to specific organs and functions. By activating certain points along these pathways, acupuncture protocol brings balance and harmony back to the body. As a result, helping the patient's overall health system.

Acupuncture treatments for veterans can also be traced back to the Vietnam War. During this time Dr. Nam Viet Nguyen used acupuncture to treat soldiers suffering from chronic pain and stress. Since then, BFA has been used by the U.S. military in conflicts including the Gulf, Iraq, and Afghanistan War. In recent years, BFA is increasingly in popularity to treat soldiers who suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Battlefield acupuncture services are non-invasive treatments that do not require the use of drugs or surgery for pain management.

What are common types of battlefield acupuncture treatments?

• Auricular acupuncture treatment

• Body acupuncture treatment

Auricular acupuncture

The National Acupuncture Detoxification Association (NADA) protocol is a specific type of acupuncture treatment to help people with addictions. This protocol is individual and in community group settings. It involves placing needles in five specific points in each ear. These points connect to different areas of the body, including the liver, lungs, and kidneys.

Traditional Chinese Medicine views addiction as an imbalance in the body. By stimulating specific points, the goal is to help bring balance back to the body and ease withdrawal symptoms. The NADA protocol is effective in lowering cravings and withdrawal symptoms in people with addictions to drugs, alcohol, and tobacco. It helps improve sleep quality and reduce anxiety.

Body acupuncture

Body acupuncture is a form of therapy that involves placing needles at specific points on the body. These points are located along energy pathways or meridians. There are 14 main meridians in the body, each of which connects to specific organs and functions. By stimulating these points, acupuncture brings balance back to the body and improves overall health.

Professional acupuncture physicians assess veterans on a case-by-case basis to ensure they are addressing the specific conditions from which each veteran suffers.

Community acupuncture is an excellent way for veterans to receive the care they need. It is a safe and effective form of treatment that can help improve overall health and well-being. We encourage Veterans to talk to their primary doctor about whether community acupuncture is right for them.

What is community acupuncture and why is it an excellent integrative health approach for veterans?

Community acupuncture is a type of acupuncture that is provided in a group setting. Usually, in these sessions, patients recline in comfortable chairs in a community room. It is a cost-effective and convenient way to receive acupuncture and can be especially helpful for those who have trouble making it to regular appointments.

Some common acupuncture treatments for veterans involve a community setting.

These veteran-specific settings aim to help soldiers suffering from anxiety, PTSD, chronic pain, and substance dependency. Traditional Chinese Medicine defines most of the principles of acupuncture.

Medical acupuncturists recommend using acupuncture care as a complementary and integrative health approach. They do so as it is non-invasive, has minimal side effects, and has a growing body of research.

The benefits of community acupuncture care for veterans

Across the U.S., VA medical centers may be limited, which can make it difficult for veterans to access care. Community acupuncture can help bridge this gap by making acupuncture more accessible and convenient.

Community acupuncture treatments can also be helpful for veterans who are dealing with multiple health issues. By providing treatment in a group setting, community acupuncture can help reduce the overall cost of treatment. Community acupuncture has a number of benefits for veterans, such as:

• Pain management

• PTSD support

• Anxiety relief

• Reduced stress

• Insomnia relief

The community setting can also be helpful, as it allows veterans to connect with others dealing with similar issues.

Reaching out for help can be a difficult thing to do. However, community acupuncture makes it easier by providing a caring and non-judgemental environment. If you have any questions about community acupuncture or the benefits it can offer, please feel free to contact us. We are here to help!

How can veterans join community acupuncture programs or clinics nearest them?

Community acupuncture programs and clinics all over the country tend to offer services on a sliding scale or for free. To find a community acupuncture program or clinic near you, please visit your VA's community care network website. If you are a veteran in South Florida struggling with anxiety, substance dependency, or any mental health condition, we invite you to join us for our community acupuncture session specifically for veterans on Mondays at 5 pm. This type of session is on a sliding scale so that everyone can afford to receive the care they need.

Why help veterans suffering from mental health conditions?

Mental health conditions are common among veterans. These conditions are usually a result of the trauma of experiences during the veteran's time in service. These also can have a huge impact on every aspect of any person's life, and can even lead to suicide.

Suicide prevention is an important part of community acupuncture care for veterans. Treating veterans patients with acupuncture can help to reduce the risk of suicide by providing a safe and caring environment. At AcuMantras we believe in making community acupuncture affordable and accessible to all. Overall it can have a significant effect on the mental wellness of our veterans or anyone else in our community.

We are grateful for the service and sacrifice of our veterans. Therefore, we are committed to helping them heal from the invisible wounds of war. Community acupuncture is one small way that we can show our support. Our licensed acupuncturists welcome you to ask any questions regarding your integrative health protocol.

You are invited to learn more about our acupuncturists at AcuMantras and the specific dates and times available for veterans to enjoy low-cost acupuncture treatments in a safe setting.

Some Studies and Results

"More than 3 quarters experienced immediate decreases in pain following administration of BFA, with nearly 60% reported experiencing a minimal clinically important difference in pain intensity. The average decrease in pain intensity was −2.5 points (SD=2.2) at the initial BFA treatment, and −2.2 points (SD=2.0) at subsequent treatments. BFA was effective across a wide range of Veterans with many having pre-existing chronic pain, or physical, or psychological comorbid conditions. Veterans with opioid use in the year before BFA experienced less improvement, with pain intensity scores improving more among Veterans who had not recently used opioids."

“They don’t have to wait hours for medications to take maximal effect or endure side effects, like drowsiness or allergic reactions, of common pain medications,” said Air Force Col. Lynda Vu, who recently administered BFA while deployed in Qatar. “This allows personnel to go back to the fight with minimal impact to continuing mission operations.” (Military Times)

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References

Yeh CH, Chiang YC, Hoffman SL, et al.: Efficacy of auricular therapy for pain management: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med 2014;2014:934670

Effectiveness of a whole health model of care emphasizing complementary and integrative health on reducing opioid use among patients with chronic pain Steven B. Zeliadt, et al

Patient Feedback on the Effectiveness of Auricular Acupuncture on Pain in Routine Clinical Care The Experience of 11,406 Veterans Steven B. Zeliadt, PhD, MPH, et al

Battlefield acupuncture? Yes, it exists, and the military is using it to fight troops’ pain By Nicole Bauke | Military Times