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What is Battlefield Acupuncture (BFA)?
BFA is an 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.
Below is a 6-minute video clip of documentary “Escape Fire” on the use Battlefield Acupuncture 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:
This course is approved for the following credits:
16 – NCCAOM PDAs
16 – Florida CEs
16 – California Category 1 CEUs*
16 – Texas CAE Credits for the Texas Medical Board
Who can attend this training:
Acupuncturists and physicians who have acupuncture privileges in their scope of practice. Medical personal who are employed by the following agencies have also attend this training. The Department of Defense, The us department of Veterans Affairs, Indian Health Service (IHS) and NATO Forces.
Battlefield Acupuncture & Advanced Battlefield Acupuncture Seminar Syllabus
Day 1 – Basic BFA Training
The history of Acupuncture and Auriculotherapy in the US
History of Battlefield Acupuncture (BFA) and what conditions can it treat.
Point theory behind BFA.
Why use BFA?
Conditions BFA can treat.
Learn how and when to do the BFA Protocol
Types of Needles used and why?
Properly use ASP® needles
learn correct auricular insertion technique for BFA.
Point Location and Function.
Recognize Positive Side Effects and Results of BFA
Clinical Cut-Offs and Delayed Response.
How to Apply BFA in your clinical practice successfully.
Ear Care and Follow-up.
Clinical Hands-on Demonstrations
Practice and Case Discussion.
Day 2 – Advanced BFA Training
Review of Basic Battlefield Acupuncture Protocol.
The Illusions of the Ear.
When to Switch to the Advanced Battlefield Acupuncture.
Pairing and Clustering of BFA Needles.
Paul Nogier’s auriculotherapy phases.
Incorporating Nogier’s Phases to treat Specific Pathologies.
Incorporating Devices to enhance clinical outcomes.
Types of Needles used in Advanced BFA Treatments.
Needle Insertion techniques.
How and when to apply Advanced BFA in your clinical practice successfully.
Ear Care and Follow-up with Advanced BFA.
Questions and Answers.
Clinical Hands-on Demonstrations
Practice and Case Discussion.
Some studies and 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
