The US Air Force is using acupuncture! This is such exciting news, as military doctors who have training in are able to treat soldiers in pain without using high doses of narcotics. "Battlefield acupuncture," which is the method developed by Air Force Physician Col. Richard Niemtzow, uses small auricular needles that fit under the soldiers' helmets. They are able to perform their duties while getting some relief from pain.
The Air Force currently runs the military's only acupuncture clinic, but next month, a pilot program will train 44 Army, Navy, and Air Force doctors to apply acupuncture as part of emergency care in war zones, as well as on bases.
We already know many of the positive effects that acupuncture can have on soldiers when they come back from the front lines, but it would be even better to receive treatment while still on base. Check out the article here!