What is Battlefield Acupuncture?
This ear (auricular) acupuncture protocol was developed by Dr Richard C. Niemtzow in 2001. He is a retired Air Force colonel and was the first full-time physician acupuncturist in the Armed Forces.
He originally conceived this technique as a way to deliver pain relief through acupuncture as quickly and efficiently as possible in combat and other military situations. It is growing in popularity in both military and civilian medical settings internationally.
This unique technique uses semi-permanent ASP® needles to activate ear points in order to influence the processing of pain in the central nervous system. According to Dr Niemtzow, pain relief can be immediate and hold for a longer stimulation. It can also be used in case of anxiety and insomnia.
BFA was recognized in 2019 as a solution to fight the opioid crisis by the Association of American Medical Colleges and presented in the documentary Escape Fire: The Fight to Rescue American Healthcare in 2012.
This course is approved for the following credits:
16 – NCCAOM PDAs
16 – Florida CEs
16 – Texas CAE Credits for the Texas Medical Board
16 – California Category 1 CEUs*
This seminar products are sponsored by Lhasa OMS
Seminar Location: New England School of Acupuncture19 Norwich St, Worcester, MA 01608
STANDARD: Battlefield Acupuncture Seminar
Cost: $425
Here is the information for registration.
- Create an account on mcphsce.org, filling out all profile information. Make sure that your profile is set to “Acupuncture/Oriental Medicine” in the Participant Type dropdown and fill out all mandatory information.
- If you need to change your MCPHS adjunct/faculty status, please e-mail continuing.education@mcphs.edu.
- For students, make sure that you change your “Practice Status” to Student/Resident/Fellow in the dropdown.
- Once your profile and account is finalized, go to “Available Live Activities” and choose the appropriate registration form.
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- NESA Faculty, NESA Student, Standard
- Proceed to payment.
- An automated confirmation email will be sent to the email address in your profile that includes the amount paid. For a more detailed transaction receipt, please email continuing.education@mcphs.edu
A short video of BFA in the US Military
A solution to reduce opioid consumption. BFA was recognized in 2019 as a solution to fight the opioid crisis by the Association of American Medical Colleges and presented in the documentary Escape Fire: The Fight to Rescue American Healthcare in 2012. In this excerpt you can see the insertion of ASP® needles at 4:26
The Battlefield Acupuncture Seminar schedule
The morning part (9:00 am to 12:00 pm) of the seminar is didactic, with the afternoon segment (1:30pm to 5:00 pm) of seminar consisting of hands on learning and clinical treatment of patients. Here is how the seminar is structured:
8:30 am check in and registration opens.
9:00 am the seminar begins.
10:30 am break for 15 minutes
12:00 pm to 1:15 pm lunch break
1:30 pm to 4:30 clinical treatment of patients
3:30 pm 15-minute break
4:30 pm finish clinical treatments
4:30 to 5:00 pm discussion on the day’s treatments and results followed by Q&A.
5:00 pm the seminar ends. Please feel free to stay after class to ask us any questions you may have.
Day 1 – Course content (Basic BFA Training)
Illusions of the Ear
The history of Acupuncture and Auriculotherapy in the US
Point theory behind BFA.
History of Battlefield Acupuncture (BFA) and what conditions can it treat?
Why use BFA?
Types of Needles used and why.
Needle Insertion techniques
Point Location and Function
Clinical Cut-Offs and Delayed Response
Ear Care and Follow-up
Day 2 – Course content (Advanced BFA Training)
Review of Basic Battlefield Acupuncture Protocol
The Illusions of the Ear
Incorporating Nogier’s Phases into BFA
Paul Nogier’s auriculotherapy phases
When to consider using Advanced Battlefield Acupuncture
Pairing and Clustering of BFA Needles
Incorporating Devices to enhance clinical outcomes
Types of Needles used in BFA and Why
Needle Insertion techniques
How and when to apply Advanced BFA in your clinical practice successfully
Successfully implementing auriculotherapy into your practice
Ear Care and Follow-up with BFA
Questions and Answers
Some studies & articles on BFA:
- Military medicine makes room for Eastern medicine practices.
- Acupuncture before surgery means less pain significantly fewer opioids for veterans
- Battlefield Acupuncture and physical therapy versus physical therapy alone after shoulder surgery
- Battlefield Acupuncture shows promising results in alternative pain management downrange
- Battlefield Acupuncture: my story
- Battlefield Acupuncture: Yes it exists and the military is using it to fight troops pain.
*Provider #1115, Auriculotherapy Seminars, 240-413-9211
Refund Policy:
Up to Two (2) months before classes, refunded at 75%
Up to Seven (7) weeks before classes, refunded at 50%
Up to Five (5) weeks before classes, refunded at 25%
Less than (5) weeks before classes, there is no refund
All refund requests must be in writing to:
battlefieldacupuncture@yahoo.com