Battlefield Acupuncture

Battlefield Acupuncture was invented by Dr. Richard Niemtzow (USAF, Retired). It has been used on the Battlefield to provide pain relief to wounded service personnel with injuries such as traumatic amputations and other serious injuries that prevent the use of analgesics like morphine.

Dr. Niemtzow developed a protocol for using semi-permanent needles in the ears and this protocol is now available for use by other qualified practitioners outside of military environments for the rapid reduction and relief of pain.
It is drug free and can be very long lasting.

Call today on 07798 927 683 to arrange an appointment.

Email Roy at info@thebewellfundation.com

What is Battlefield Acupuncture?

Battlefield Acupuncture is a system of treating pain and many other conditions using semi-permanent stud like needles inserted into the outer ear, however I prefer to use mld electro-stimulaton, delivered by a an acupressure pen, avoiding the use of needles in 95% of cases.

This treatment is also known as auricular acupuncture. The semi-permanent studs, if used, are very different from traditional acupuncture needles both in size and shape and they are also designed to remain safetly in position for 1 to 5 days following treatment.

Treatments are rapid and can provide long lasting reduction and/or relief from even severe pain. Significant pain reduction is common using this protocol.

Measured pain often drops either to very low levels or is negligible following treatment. Relief very commonly occurs during the therapy session itself, although some clients experience a delay of approximately 24 hours before the full effect is evident.

Treatments may be supported by other therapies as necessary.

Semi-permanent auricular (ASP) needles

The stud like needles if used, are very tiny and look like a mini ear stud. They will either be gold, stainless steel or titanium. Gold is the most commonly used Titanium needles are capable of being worn in an MRI scanner and are useful for pain relief in pre-operative clients. Treatments are relatively pain free but some sensation at the site of administration is both common and desirable to gauge effectiveness.

What can be treated with the Battlefield Acupuncture protocol?

Dr. Niemtzow and John Howard, who developed the protocol, used Battlefield Acupuncture to treat the symptoms for several conditions:

• Pain – Acute (sudden) and Chronic (long term)
• Sprains and Strains·  Back, Neck, Ankle, Arm and Leg pain (including fractures)
• Migraine Headaches and other headaches· 
• Pre-operative and post-operative pain
• Idiopathic pain, paralysis and Multiple Sclerosis· 
• Tennis/Golfer’s Elbow
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
  
  What to expect

Clients are made to feel welcome upon arrival. The pain clinic is a relaxed, friendly and comfortable environment. The initial consultation for new clients will ask questions to discover the possible causes and areas involved in the pain. Conditions other than pain are also treated using the Battlefield Acupuncture protocols so a full history is taken in order to ensure that the most appropriate and effective therapy is given

Battlefield acupuncture is ideal in that clients do not need to disrobe or remove any items of clothing as only the ears need to be accessible.

Battlefield Acupuncture is most effective if the client can take a short walk (around 30 seconds to a minute) in order to stimulate the nervous system. If mobility is an issue then this can be overcome by with moving the legs or arms (or even imagining movement of the limbs). Between each administraton of mild electro-sitmulation, or stud insertion, this brief movement is undertaken and is followed by a pain score being taken.

The whole process will take around 15 – 20 minutes, after the consultation and many patients see a significant pain reduction after the first or second round of treatment at the first appointment.

Follow-up sessions may be necesary for some conditions.

Aftercare advice

Clients are given aftercare advice and are offered support by telephone, email or in person as required. Follow up therapy may be required or requested. Needles if used, will fall out between 1 – 5 days after treatment.